Engine overheats, passenger side fan spins slowly?

2000 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO
156,000 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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GAMY0524
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When the A/C is on, the engine temperature rises to about 3/4 in the gauge. Normally it only goes halfway. When I check the engine, the coolant fan on the left side (driver's side) is spinning. The fan on the right side (passenger side) spins very slow like it has no power connected to it. Is this normal? Do I need to replace the slow fan?
Aug 18, 2022 at 11:32 PM
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BORIS K
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Hello,

The "slow" fan should be spinning at the same speed the main cooling fan is running.
The secondary fan is belt driven off the primary fan, hence the lack of power cables.
The belt runs on a pulley on the tip of each fan and has no tensioner, see image 2
Ensure that the secondary fan is spinning freely and that there is no play in the fan blade.
The most likely scenario is that the drive belt is missing.

See image 3 for an exploded view, item 4 is the drive belt between the fans

If the secondary fan is in order, I would suggest replacing the belt.
To access the front of the fans the fan cowling should ideally be removed.
I have replaced the belt without removing the fans by accessing the front of the fans through the gaps of the blades, it is fiddly but can be done.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Boris

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Aug 19, 2022 at 7:34 AM
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GAMY0524
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I replaced the belt and surely works now. Thanks you so much for your help.
Aug 29, 2022 at 11:45 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

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Take care,

Joe
Sep 1, 2022 at 7:33 PM