LS 2002 V6 runs hot when idle, AC blows hot but blows opposite when driving

[BlacksonAudio]

So i bought a 2002 V6 with 123868 miles from a private owner. Car runs amazing except yesterday the car ran hot at the red light and the AC started blowing hot. I called the owner and he asked me to drive the car an see if the car ran cool. Yep, sits midpoint on the gauge and the AC started blowing super cold again. So he suggested it might be a fan relay i went to auto zone and advance auto and they say that car doesn't have that part.
Please point me in the right direction before I take the car to a mechanic because I've heard of the expensive labor and parts. I'm able to do some repairs, some maintenance. Can anyone help?:Bang

 

[joegr]

No LS has a fan relay.
You have a 1st gen LS, which has a hydraulic fan system. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to troubleshoot without specialized equipment. The two most common problems are:

1. Someone (maybe at Iffy Lube) put water in the reservoir for the hydraulic fan. Check the reservoir and see if the fluid is a consistent dark red color. If it is kind of milky, someone added water. It should only have Mercon or (better yet) Mercon V ATF in it.

2. Your fan speed actuator has failed and needs to be replaced. Start the engine cold, with the AC off. Note that the fan does spin, but spins slowly. (If it doesn't spin at all, you have a more serious problem.) Turn the AC on. The speed should speed up noticeably. If it does not (but is spinning slowly), then the hydraulic fan speed actuator is probably your problem.

 

[BlacksonAudio]

i will check those two in the morning.its nightfall but a bit more information. when the air goes from cold to hot i hear a soft swooshing sound. i had to drive 300 miles last night and the AC perform marvelous on the highway. Soon as i got off the highway and hit a red light... it started going into the red within a minute.

 

[BlacksonAudio]

No LS has a fan relay.
You have a 1st gen LS, which has a hydraulic fan system. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to troubleshoot without specialized equipment. The two most common problems are:

1. Someone (maybe at Iffy Lube) put water in the reservoir for the hydraulic fan. Check the reservoir and see if the fluid is a consistent dark red color. If it is kind of milky, someone added water. It should only have Mercon or (better yet) Mercon V ATF in it.

2. Your fan speed actuator has failed and needs to be replaced. Start the engine cold, with the AC off. Note that the fan does spin, but spins slowly. (If it doesn't spin at all, you have a more serious problem.) Turn the AC on. The speed should speed up noticeably. If it does not (but is spinning slowly), then the hydraulic fan speed actuator is probably your problem.

Also where are my manners? Thank you for responding.

 

[BrianDye]

Swooshing sound - Sounds like you might be low on coolant meaning you're leaking it out or burning it off. (Most likely leaking). I could be completely wrong, as these LS'es cooling systems are finicky, but any vehicle I've heard a sloshing sound from was low on coolant.

But joegr's suggestion is where I would start. Check that fan. Also check your coolant level.

 

[BlacksonAudio]

So I went to Lincoln service... $116.xx diagnosis reveals the radiator hoses has leaks and to replace the hose with labor... $816.xx!! Oh, and sir, if that doesn't fix it (say what, If that doesn't fix it) it's probably your hydraulic fan system and that will be $2100.xx + taxes!!! Uh, thank you but no thanks... I'll start by buying the actuator myself and following this video on Youtube i found and the advice of so many people in this and other forums that the problem is with that piece and take it from there.
Parts will cost me about $250 for actuator and the torx wrench and wish me luck!!

 

[RigsLS]

and now for the bad news ...

Re & Re entire plastic cooling system, degas bottle included. Rad should be OK for now.


~ kid you not!

 

[joegr]

I don't doubt the cooling system leak. In fact, you will find that you have to replace a few more parts yet (basically, all of the plastic cooling system parts). That said, your symptoms are from the hydraulic fan system. The dealers found it easier to just replace the whole system rather than to troubleshoot it. It's sad that they are this way, and it's economically unreasonable on a 15 year old car.

Did you verify that the fluid was not contaminated?
Did you verify that the fan does spin constantly (at least at low speed) while the engine is running?

 

[BlacksonAudio]

It's been over a month so let me fill everyone in that helped....
So after going to Lincoln and getting it diagnosis and an astronomical repair cost i declined. The used car guy I bought the car from said his mechanic would do it and he'd only charge me parts and a few $$ for labor. Went that route and told the guy that to please just change the hydraulic fan actuator. So he calls me after having the car over night and says a radiator hose dry rotted and he cant get that part from anyone other than dealer. $120 for the part... sure i say.
After puts the part on, 30 minutes later he says its all fixed. Drive the car out of the shop and redlines before i hit the stop sign. Pull back in the shop and they say they have to bleed it again. 12 hours later and numerous bleed it still runs hot. His mechanic says your problem is your O2 sensor[?!]... i got my keys and ask the guy for a receipt. Charged be $600 and HE NEVER CHANGED THE ACTUATOR!! I asked for the receipt for the actuator and he says his mechanic has it. His mechanic {who actually isn't "HIS" MECHANIC} says no we didn't change out that part because the dealer wanted $275.xx but they changed the radiator hose, gaskets, and some "relay"... After a few choice words I drove my car to my local TirePlus. Spoke with the GM and explained my story. Says no problem, he'll run a few diagnosis and call me tomorrow. Next day he calls..
Good news and bad news. The other mechanic didn't touch the hydraulic fan and they will have to order it from the dealer. Wont be there for 3 days and will cost $900.xx Sure, no problem. 3 days later i pick up the car and the car is running hot. I look at the receipt and THEY ****ING DIDNT CHANGE THE HYDRAULIC FAN!! They change the radiator fan assembly! So i blew every gasket in my head!! I used every swear word i knew and made up some. I was like you did exactly what the other guy did, change a part that i didn't ask to be change. He says after putting in the radiator fan the code is point to the... HYDRAULIC COOLING SYSTEM!! I was "are you ****ing kidding me??? That's exactly what i told you when i came in 4 days ago. I threaten to call corporate and go to the news about this. This particular location is in a rich retirement city (Naples, Fl) and you don't want bad publicity. So he apologizes up the wazoo and we agree to get the fan pump put in and i wouldn't be charged labor for neither the fan pump or the radiator fan assy but if it runs hot its on me. 3 addtl days later I pick up my car and it works great!! i also change the coolant cap as it wouldn't click tight but i have a great running 2002. Fingers are crossed.

 

[1LoudLS]

this is why its so important to do as much work as you can yourself, at least that way, you know exactly what was done, and that what you want to get done will get done. luckly, owninbg an LS gives you plenty of opportunities to learn and figure stuff out.