Yes, you can drive your car without a cooling fan. However, if you ask a mechanic about these situations, they will most like highly recommend parking the vehicle until a new cooling fan has been installed.
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3 major reasons why driving without a cooling fan is a bad idea
1. The engine will overheat
Just like a cooling fan in a computer is needed to keep the parts in the computer from overheating, the cooling fan in your vehicle’s role is to do the same.
For instance, cooling fans are designed to keep the engine’s temperature functioning at its optimum best without overheating.
2. No Air Conditioning in the Vehicle
Driving without a cooling fan can present more than one problem, particularly in the summer. For instance, when you turn on the air conditioning system, the cooling fans will need to turn on, too.
3. Serious Engine Damaged Caused
A properly working cooling fan is crucial for several different reasons. One of the most important is protecting the engine from being damaged due to overheating.
For example, if you drive a car for a prolonged time without the appropriate cooling mechanism, you will increase your chances of having to deal with irreversible damage.
What happens if the cooling fan stops working?
The cooling fan may stop working while you are driving, sitting in traffic, or while parked in your garage at home. Whatever the case or circumstances, there are a few signs and symptoms that you may see.
Five of the most common signs of a faulty or bad cooling fan are listed below.
- The engine will begin to overheat.
- Air Conditioner will not work properly
- Loud Noises will come from the cooling fan
- The temperature warning light will come on
- You will hear loud noises coming from the radiator fan
Each of the signs and symptoms should lead you to pull over and stop or turn off the engine wherever you may be. You should also call for help from a professional mechanic right away.
A mechanic can help to assess the situation and provide you with the services that you need.
Whatever the circumstances, to protect your engine from any unnecessary damage from overheating, you should avoid driving without seeking help.
How long can I drive my car with a broken radiator fan?
The distance that you can drive will vary based on several different factors. First of all, if you want to keep your engine from overheating, you need to consider the weather.
- If you are driving in hot weather, you should not drive your vehicle longer than 2 to 3 minutes (about a ¼ of a mile).
- If you are driving in cold weather, do not drive your vehicle longer than 10 to 10 to 15 minutes.
- By following these standard times, you can reduce the risks of causing catastrophic engine damage.
How much does it cost to replace a cooling fan in a car?
The cost of replacing a cooling fan in a car can be quite expensive to pay out of pocket. This is because the cost of buying the part is approximately $690, and the labor can range from $163 to $206.
Therefore, the total average cost may be anywhere from $854 to $897 or more. Though this price may be high to most people, it does not compare to the expense of repairing or buying a new engine for your vehicle.
Conclusion
Driving a car without a cooling fan is highly discouraged by trained professional repair shops and newbie mechanics alike.
Since the cooling fan’s main role is to keep the engine and its components cool, and at optimum temperatures, if it does not work properly the engine can easily overheat while driving.
So, to avoid unnecessary damage to your engine, you need to pull over on the side of the road and seek help immediately.
Also, if you are forced to drive it for any reason, do not drive the vehicle for more than 2 to 3 minutes in hot weather or 10 to 15 minutes in cooler temperatures.
