Noisy cooling fan

[997.2Bomber]

Hi, I'm looking for any help or advice with a noisy cooling fan. It's most noticeable when switching off the engine and sounds like a (very) loud hum from inside the car. I've read that a failure could cause the fan to destroy itself and cause damage to electrics so any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

Ian

[zollaf]

i presume you are on about the viscous fan rather than an electric fan. if so, fit a new one. if it is the electric fan, also fit a new one.

[997.2Bomber]

Hi zollaf, thanks for the reply, unfortunately I don't know as I can only hear it when I switch off the engine from inside the car, but the solution sounds the same anyways :)

[zollaf]

pop bonnet, start car, stand in front and look, ask passer by to turn off engine, job done.

[997.2Bomber]

I love an expert, would a passer by be able to tell me whether it's a viscous fan or an electric fan?

[zollaf]

no, but with your head under the bonnet you will be able to listen more accurately and use your eyes to see which is turning as you switch the engine off. the electric shouldn't be spinning unless the engine is hot but of course their may be a problem and it is spinning and cos its running all the time its broken it, hence the noise, or its not spinning and just the viscous is in which case it will make diagnosing it easier. this is unless of course the passer by happens to be a mechanic in which case it would be better for you to turn the engine off and let him or her listen for the noise, just don't choose a paser by that jumps in your car and drives off in it, as that would be bad but would solve the problem of the noisy fan. well, make it someone elses' problem.

[997.2Bomber]

Thanks zollaf, the problem is I don't know what I'm looking for hence my question. In the good old days there was only one type of cooling fan so I assumed the same on this car. I was hoping someone had the same issue and there was a simple answer (replace the fan?) but it sounds more complicated. I'll keep an eye out for an honest mechanic that isn't a thief :)

[zollaf]

give the viscous fan a spin when the engine is off, see if it spins easily and is noisy and if there is any play in it. a good one should be quite tight to turn with no play or noise. if it spins easily and noisily then its broke..

[997.2Bomber]

Right, the culprit is the small fan (auxiliary?) on the left when looking from the front of the car. Probably a 2 minute job to replace if only I could get to it....