95 Es300 Overheating In Traffic; Please Help

[xraevision]

1995 ES300

Last year, I had a radiator and water leak (apparently causing the car to overheat), so I had those two replaced. Recently, my car began to overheat once again. It only happens once I've been sitting in stop and go traffic. I took it to my mechanic, he told me my radiator fan was moving incredibly slow. I witnessed him stopping it with his finger. He recommends a new fan motor but apparently since my 95 has an hydraulic cooling system, it is going to run me about $600. My issue is he wasn't sure that the motor was the exact problem. He said he doesn't have much knowledge about my particular cooling system setup.

Could it be another problem? There are no leaks and the coolant levels are never low. I just want to ensure there isn't a cheaper option before I make that purchase.

Sidenote: He did encourage me to shop around and check junkyards to see if I could find the part at a lesser price, so he isn't trying to rip me off. He just didn't seem to sure of his diagnosis.

[gbhrps]

xraevision,

I found, after some searching, that your problem is not uncommon, but very few mechanics will have any experience with it.

The Camry V6 for that same generation ES300 uses a hydraulic system to turn the radiator fan, and its powered from the Power Steering pump. Your car will be the same, as the ES is basically a gussied up Camry.

Either the impeller blades or the bearings inside the radiator fan are worn, or there isn't enough power steering fluid pressure getting to the radiator fan. That narrows the search somewhat.

Either your power steering fluid is down, or the solenoids that allow the fluid flow to the rad fan are defective (a broken wire/ corroded connection/plugged fluid line?).

If you can find an independent mechanic who is familiar with the Camry hydraulic fan system, that may be the way to go. Otherwise, from what I've found on Google, some owners have simply scrapped the hydraulic system, and installed the electric fan components from a wrecked 97 Camry V6/ 97 ES300, or gone with an after market electrical fan setup. Good Luck!