radiator fan issues

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:37

ThreadID: 63687 Views:2331 Replies:5 FollowUps:5

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oz doc

Hi guys, hope you can shed some light on this. The (new) rodeo has suddenly become quite noisy. The noise appears to be the radiator fan. The fan seems to be running all the time - ie it is coming on when the car is cold and not just cutting in when it gets hot. It has only been doing this the last few days. At idle- it sounds quiet, but on acceleration/driving- you can hear it roaring away. The car is performing fine, it is not overheating. The air-conditioner works fine. This car has two radiator fans - one I believe to be a 'clutch fan' and the other a 'thermoelectric'. I believe it is the clutch fan that is running all the time and causing the noise. Had it checked by a mechanic today(not our usual one) and he said all working ok and the noise is normal. Comments?ta doc.

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Reply By: Member - Olcoolone (S.A) The O - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:58

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 17:58

Well if it's a new vehicle why not take it back to the dealer.....

AnswerID: 336251

Follow Up By: oz doc - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:24

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:24

Good idea - only the dealer is 16hours drive away. doc

FollowupID: 603938

Reply By: Horacehighroller - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:02

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:02

G-day Doc,

It is normal when you start the engine from cold for the fan to roar for a couple of minutes. It should then loosen up and stay relatively free unless the radiator coolant reaches "very hot" in which case the drive will "firm up".

I suggest that when the motor is fully warmed you switch it off and then manually spin the fan. It should rotate a couple of times with a good hard push.

Good Luck

Peter L

AnswerID: 336253

Follow Up By: oz doc - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:25

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 18:25

You are spot on Peter- this is how it used to sound. Get in and start it up, pull away and you could hear the fan, and after a few k's it would settle down nice and quiet. Now it roars the whole time.doc.

FollowupID: 603939

Reply By: Philip A - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 19:58

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 19:58

The stiffness and therefore noise of a clutch fan depends on the temperature of the air coming through the radiator onto the fan hub.
There is a valve controlled by expanding wire that looks like a spring.

If it has been hotter where you are in the last couple of days it could be a factor. If you have stopped and let the car heat soak then started again ditto.

That's what I think is the cause.
Regards Philip A

AnswerID: 336270

Follow Up By: oz doc - Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 20:22

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 at 20:22

Hi Phillip, its actually been a bit cooler up here lately. Anyway - whilst we were discussing the issue with the mechanic - he started the car up and revved it for about 3 minutes- then the fan suddenly quetened down. He said this was normal performance. On the drive home- car was fine. Got me stumped. Been noisier than a jumbo last 5 days. doc.

FollowupID: 603956

Reply By: Wherehegon - Friday, Nov 21, 2008 at 08:58

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 at 08:58

Hi there Doc, sounds like it has writed itself. I would be a little wary in the meantime and make sure it cuts in when it needs too and your temp doesnt rise. Its weird how some vehicles have there own issues. I have heard Nissan Navara's (older ones) where obviously the fan viscous coupling has locked on and like yourself sounds like they are revving there nut out yet most Toyota's I know of work the other way which is a bad thing and wont lock in when required eg 80 series cruisers, hilux's. I would thou next time your passing through the town of the dealership take it too them and get them to replace the coupling anyway. Might pay to ring them in advance so they have one in stock for you ready to go. Even thou it sounds like its working fine now will it play up again ?? hard to say.... Will take them no longer then 1/2 to do the job and that would be removing the fan shroud if need be. Theres usally only foru 10mil nuts holding them on anyway. If they dont want to replace it then I would get it in writing from the manager that it is working fine that way if it decides to not work and that little old temp guage rises and you cook it you will have some form of proof that this was an issue and they wernt willing to replace it. (just to cover your ar@e) WHG

AnswerID: 336316

Follow Up By: oz doc - Friday, Nov 21, 2008 at 09:09

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 at 09:09

Thanks WHG, Thats what I'm going to do. Have booked it in to our regular mechanic(not a Holden dealer but certified to do warranty work) in 2 weeks(closest appointment I could get) and get him to check the fan. If it has been playing up intermittantly between now and then - I will get them to replace it. (If they won't do it under warranty - I might just have to pay for it myself). If it remains nomal between now and then- I will get them to print on the receipt that they checked it and keep this for furture reference if neccesary.doc.

FollowupID: 604006

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Friday, Nov 21, 2008 at 09:07

Friday, Nov 21, 2008 at 09:07

You did the first level of fix.

If you can't figure it out take it to a specialist and it will miracously fix itself there and then, never to be seen again, for a while :o)

Do it here too. Any problem, take it to a friend or mechanic and it fixes itself on the way.

AnswerID: 336318