Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo CVT | Radiator fan doesn't turn on at 98 degrees

harifire · 15th October 2024, 21:24

Dear All,

The last few months has been very frustrating making frequent visits to the Trident Renault workshop/s in Bangalore

1. Started with the A/C turning off while driving and it turns back on after some time . I was living with it
2. One fine day the car got the red overheating symbol turned on . Towed it to the Trident Silk board workshop . they changed the thermostat on warranty and gave the car back
3. Gave the car to the Trident Mysore road workshop for the AC issue . They denied at first that there is any issue . Finally after 3 -4 days of keeping the car there , got the A/C compressor replaced under warranty but I also replaced the expansion valve and the radiator fan after paying out of my pocket.
4. Now the A/C issue is resolved . However I can see that the radiator fan is not turning on after the temperature crosses 98 [ which is what it should do ] . Instead the temperature goes all the way up to 106 and then I turn on the A.C and immediately the fan starts to work . So essentially I cannot drive the car without switching on the AC !!!
5. I bought a OBD2 device and installed the App TOrque and have been constantly monitoring the coolant temp .
6. Took the car again to Trident . Spoke with Mallaya the service head . He said we wanted to see the temp going upto 106 in our device. I said fine and took his mechanic for a spin , showed the temp going all the up to 106 and at hat point I switched on the ac and then the fan started to work .
7. The car is still at the Trident service center . They have no clue on why this happens . They have another 1.3 turbo there and right now they are comparing the behavior of the radiator fan on both the cars

I am loosing my patience and more than that pretty pissed off with the technical incapability of the mechanics there. I have also heard that it is a common problem among the new 1.3 Duster many compressor replacements

Anyone can throw some light into this issue - I will be greatful !!

btw With the A/C on the car drives like a charm ! The power is incredible as well .
However I am not sure since i have been driving it at high temperatures whether the engine gasket and other parts are affected or not !!

-thx
Harish

DRIV3R · 16th October 2024, 06:59

Usually there are two speeds for the radiator cooling fan, a low and a high. Seems the low speed setting is not working as expected in your vehicle.

harifire · 16th October 2024, 07:32

The normal mode of operation of the fan as far as I know is
1. At 98 degree coolant temperature - Fan turns on
2. Below 96 degrees it turns off
3.when a/c is on it works at higher speed

dhanushs · 16th October 2024, 07:40

Your fan is working as you mentioned that switching ON the AC turns on the fan, however, looks like your thermostat is faulty. It is supposed to turn on the fan beyond a certan set temperature, which is usually just below 100 degrees.

Please also check the electrical system from the thermostat to the engine fan.

15th October 2024, 21:24	#1
harifire BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Posts: 15 Thanked: 2 Times	Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo CVT \| Radiator fan doesn't turn on at 98 degrees Dear All, The last few months has been very frustrating making frequent visits to the Trident Renault workshop/s in Bangalore 1. Started with the A/C turning off while driving and it turns back on after some time . I was living with it 2. One fine day the car got the red overheating symbol turned on . Towed it to the Trident Silk board workshop . they changed the thermostat on warranty and gave the car back 3. Gave the car to the Trident Mysore road workshop for the AC issue . They denied at first that there is any issue . Finally after 3 -4 days of keeping the car there , got the A/C compressor replaced under warranty but I also replaced the expansion valve and the radiator fan after paying out of my pocket. 4. Now the A/C issue is resolved . However I can see that the radiator fan is not turning on after the temperature crosses 98 [ which is what it should do ] . Instead the temperature goes all the way up to 106 and then I turn on the A.C and immediately the fan starts to work . So essentially I cannot drive the car without switching on the AC !!! 5. I bought a OBD2 device and installed the App TOrque and have been constantly monitoring the coolant temp . 6. Took the car again to Trident . Spoke with Mallaya the service head . He said we wanted to see the temp going upto 106 in our device. I said fine and took his mechanic for a spin , showed the temp going all the up to 106 and at hat point I switched on the ac and then the fan started to work . 7. The car is still at the Trident service center . They have no clue on why this happens . They have another 1.3 turbo there and right now they are comparing the behavior of the radiator fan on both the cars I am loosing my patience and more than that pretty pissed off with the technical incapability of the mechanics there. I have also heard that it is a common problem among the new 1.3 Duster many compressor replacements Anyone can throw some light into this issue - I will be greatful !! btw With the A/C on the car drives like a charm ! The power is incredible as well . However I am not sure since i have been driving it at high temperatures whether the engine gasket and other parts are affected or not !! -thx Harish
	() Thanks $Received Infraction$

16th October 2024, 06:59	#2
DRIV3R Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: India Posts: 1,941 Thanked: 2,361 Times	re: Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo CVT \| Radiator fan doesn't turn on at 98 degrees Usually there are two speeds for the radiator cooling fan, a low and a high. Seems the low speed setting is not working as expected in your vehicle.
	() Thanks

16th October 2024, 07:32	#3
harifire BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Posts: 15 Thanked: 2 Times	re: Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo CVT \| Radiator fan doesn't turn on at 98 degrees The normal mode of operation of the fan as far as I know is 1. At 98 degree coolant temperature - Fan turns on 2. Below 96 degrees it turns off 3.when a/c is on it works at higher speed
	() Thanks

16th October 2024, 07:40	#4
dhanushs Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,440 Thanked: 11,491 Times	re: Renault Duster 1.3L Turbo CVT \| Radiator fan doesn't turn on at 98 degrees Your fan is working as you mentioned that switching ON the AC turns on the fan, however, looks like your thermostat is faulty. It is supposed to turn on the fan beyond a certan set temperature, which is usually just below 100 degrees. Please also check the electrical system from the thermostat to the engine fan.
	(1) Thanks