Discovery 1 V8 - noisy cooling fan. Normal?

[Plinth]

Hi

Last month I had a new viscous fan unit (fan clutch?) fitted to my 1997 V8 Disco.
According to what I have read, it is functioning correctly, but the fan blades are so noisy when it is “engaged”.
The whooshing noise drowns out the engine – even with tubular manifolds and a sports exhaust.
Can I fit a quieter fan? (Less blades should be less noise…)
Should I junk it and change to an electric set up?

Cheers

[52classic]

I recall a thread about this subject over on one of the Range Rover forums. I have the same issue with my P38 but thought that's how they are supposed to be.

However, based on that thread I tried an 'Italian tune up' and as predicted a run up to 3 1/2K rpm in the fast lane suddenly causes the fan to become quiet and to remain so for several days!

So, the plan is to junk the existing fan and replace with an electric unit. Forum suggests leaving the fan off altogether on the basis that the diesel unit is over-cooled but I don't intend to risk it.

[Plinth]

I think I might take up your idea of fitting an electric fan.
I have been driving the Disco for 14 years and I don't recall hearing the viscous fan, even at start up, until the last month, which prompted me having a new unit fitted.
It would seem that it was not working during all those years - and the engine never got hot, so perhaps even the V8 is well cooled...