I'm installing electric fans on my 1997 4.0 xj and I'm wonder which is better for off roading purposes. I go slow most of the time so I would think puller. But I really don't know. The fans will be sitting between the engine and the radiator. So if they are pulling they would be pulling the air through the radiator and toward the engine and if they were pushing they would be blowing it away from the engine. Just FYI
Thanks

 

Why?
Factory stuff is fine unless something is screwed up.

 

Well my xj likes to run at about 240 when I'm off roading so I'm trying to handle that

 

coolant flush and maybe a new water pump should fix the heat problem.

 

Puller

 

Most who switch to aftermarket fans to cure a overheating problem still have the problem.Most aftermarket fans don't pull the cfm the stock fans can.

 

If your running at 240, you have bigger problems. Make sure there's no air bubbles in the system, topped off with coolant, thermostat is working. Fix what ever the problem is an you won't need a aux. fan

 

All good advice here^^.

I live in Arizona and have all factory cooling system part and have no issues. Fans are not the issue. I'll bet the radiator is crappola.

 

The factory fans are not the problem. Assuming they are in good working condition, they move more than enough air.

Your fan clutch may need replacement, but if not, your overheating problem is due to something else. Guaranteed.

 

As has been so thoroughly expressed, fans are not going to fix your problem. However, to answer your question directly:

This is a no-brainer. Which direction does air move through the radiator when you're driving forward? ANY fan, whether it's electric or mechanical, should make air flow that same direction. Otherwise the fans would be pushing against the natural flow of air when you're moving forward, reducing cooling efficiency. So in the scenario you've painted for us, fans on the back side of the radiator should be pulling air in from the front, toward the engine.

Furthermore, even if the thing were going to sit still and idle all the time, you would not want to use hot air from under the hood to cool the radiator. Cool air from outside would be better.

Now forget all this electric fan stuff and fix your cooling system instead.

 

Yup. With summer coming, Take a saturday to replace your cooling system. Water pump, fan clutch. thermostat, radiator flush, heater core flush, radiator cap. etc.

Pulling my utility trailer up a 10,000 ft pass with my foot to the floor, i never see over 215* and Crawling i never see over 210

 

Yes you need a good cooling system.


I have new radiator, engine flushed, new WP and thermostat, and fan clutch and hood lift and vents. Cools well except in summer sitting in traffic with the AC on or wheeling. I added 2x 10" pusher fans in front and cool under 210* all the time now. Never heat soaks.


Pusher fans blow air across the radiator. Puller fans pull air across the radiator.
Thy this test at home, sit in front of a fan and fell the air flow, then sit behind the fan and feel the air flow. Which is more?

 

 

Thanks guys!!

 

slightly less work for the motor, and it's nice turning them off for water crossing

OP your factory fan shrouds are both on and in good shape, correct? I replaced every cooling component on a jeep once and still had problems. gunk built up in the block? or maybe just my luck? who knows. I just started pulling the t-stat out on all my rigs instead of chasing my tail. I've replaced/tested a few of them and even when they work and open up the flow is dismal at best. cheap fix, and I've only had problems on the freeway when WOT 3500rpm going up hills/long grades.


I know someone will complain about that, but it works for me