[DML] Otterstats

["Tell you if you ask." <racuti1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Around September, my otterstat began tripping too early (at too low 
of a temperature). My fans would engage in cool weather, driving down 
the highway when the engine temp read normal.

Initially, I mis-diagnosed the problem and tracked every wire, fan 
relay and fuse that had to do with engine cooling, A/C or the temp 
gauge. I even measured the engine coolant on the supply side and 
return side with a digital thermometer to ensure my engine was 
running at the proper temperature. I replaced the thermostat. I 
ensured that I didn't have blocked radiator. I mean I checked 
everything.

Finally I placed the otterstat in a pot of hot water and discovered 
that it was tripping nearly 20F degrees too early.

I bought another one. It was faulty straight out of the box, tripping 
14F degrees too early. I bought still another one and for several 
months, all was working correctly.

Today, this otterstat failed in the "on" position. It's 30F degrees 
out here today and after the block cooled completely, I placed an ohm 
meter on the otterstat and it's "on". Permenantly. Broken.
I've tried purchasing these things from multiple vendors so it has 
nothing to do with NOS or new or whatever.

Oh, and before anyone asks, yes I know the proper fan switch 
temperatures listed in the workshop manual are in Centigrade and I 
properly converted the temperatures before I determined that the 
otterstats were indeed turning on much too early. Besides, we all 
know that the switch should read open on an ice-cold engine.

The fact is, these things are cheaply made and I've spoken to more 
than one person who's chased the same problem. Is there an 
alternative or should I just buy a batch of them and pray I get one 
that works?

Rich A.
#5335



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