My Screaming Fans

[Nuggs]

Hi All

Yesteday one of my cooling fans started making a very loud screeching noise; intermittent at first, and then constant.

(Very embarrassing when driving into Brighton and the chavs laugh at you for having a cooling fan which is louder than your (sleeved) exhaust)

The fan seems to be going round okay...

I gave the middle part of each fan a good spray with WD40, but the noise continues. I've also had a good poke around and can't see anything that might be fouling the fan.

I'd be grateful for any advice.

Thanks in advance

Edited to add: deffo not the fan belt as the noise occurs when the engine's off and the fans are still running...

>>> Edited by Nuggs on Sunday 20th March 11:07

[Ribol]

Might be worth checking nothing has got in between the blades and the casing?
Failing that, unplug them one at the time, find which one is noisy and bin it.
The ones on mine are made by SPAL Part No: VA10-AP9/C-25A.

[Nuggs]

Thanks Ribol Where did you get your SPAL fan from?

On further inspection, it looks like the offside fan has come away a bit from the spindle. This is allowing some lateral movement, which I'm guessing is the cause of the noise.

Are the fans easy to get out so I can take a proper look to see whether it can be saved?

[Ribol]

Nuggs said:

Thanks Ribol Where did you get your SPAL fan from? On further inspection, it looks like the offside fan has come away a bit from the spindle. This is allowing some lateral movement, which I'm guessing is the cause of the noise. Are the fans easy to get out so I can take a proper look to see whether it can be saved?

I haven't had to change mine, just had them off to change the rad, that is the part number on both mine(not handed). If it looks like it is coming off the spindle then in theory it could come off and into the rad - not a good place to be.

Taking them out is a piece of cake, 4 bolts plus connector.

[Nuggs]

Ribol said:

Taking them out is a piece of cake, 4 bolts plus connector.

I did try attacking them with a socket set yesterday arvo but couldn't get to the bottom two bolts. I'm guessing that I'll need to get under the car to reach them?

Also, it looks like there a a few cooling hoses that will impede the easy removal of the fan - is this right or am I just in numpty mode?

Thanks so much for your help mate

[Ribol]

Nuggs said:

I did try attacking them with a socket set yesterday arvo but couldn't get to the bottom two bolts. I'm guessing that I'll need to get under the car to reach them? Also, it looks like there a a few cooling hoses that will impede the easy removal of the fan - is this right or am I just in numpty mode? Thanks so much for your help mate

The off side fan is harder to get at so no doubt sods law will kick in here and make it the noisy one? Not sure if yours is the same as mine (2000 4.0L) but on mine the hose would have to come off to get the off side fan off.

To be honest if I were given that job to do I would take the rad out, if you have to drain the system anyway it would be easier to just take the rad out, swop the fan/fans and put it back.

[Nuggs]

Ribol said:

The off side fan is harder to get at so no doubt sods law will kick in here and make it the noisy one? Not sure if yours is the same as mine (2000 4.0L) but on mine the hose would have to come off to get the off side fan off.

Off-side fan it is and yes, the hose is in the way!

It's into Austec for a service next week, so I think I'll leave it for them...

Thanks for your help, it's very much appreciated