Noisy Engine Fan

[KDMatt]

Hey,

This thing with my Z has sort of intrigued me since I bought it. I'm wondering why my engine fan is so loud?

It almost had me tempted to upgrade to an electrical setup... except I'm not certain if I feel comfortable putting yet another load on my electrical system.

You can hear me coming from a half block (or more) away, because my car sounds like a semi-truck. I'm told that it's loud(er) because it has so many blades displacing air, but I somehow doubt that Nissan intended for it to be quite this loud... any suggestions?

Bent/dirty blades?

Worn belt?

[mlc240z]

sounds like you have a 'frozen' fan clutch. this is the finned contraption between the fan and the water pump flange.

it is filled with oil and is supposed to engage thermostatically (based on temp).

do a search for fan clutch rebuild/noise and you will find the symptoms and rebuild instructions from members who have done it. it's relatively easy.

[240ZX]

Getting rid of the water pump mounted fan blade and installing an electrical fan should not put an extra load on the electrical system, as it will be wired direct to the battery and controled by a temperature sensor. I have one installed on my 1970, with no issues! In fact, the only time it ever comes on is if I get stuck in heavy traffic for a long time or just after I shut the Z off after a good long drive. I'm very satisfied with my set-up....from MSA.

[KDMatt]

mlc, thanks a bunch! I'm looking into new a new fan clutch now, seeing as a rebuild seems a bit too tedious for my taste. I'll likely do that when I replace my radiator.

240ZX ... yeah, I just have some qualms about it is all... I overloaded my alt once by having the stereo too loud + windshield wipers + headlights + turn signal + brake lights ... granted it was a flakey alternator and bad VR, but still... 'makes me nervous to think about more stuff using up electricity.

Anyway, I'm opting to grab a new fan clutch from Checker (the best auto parts store ever IMO), for about 50 dollars, vs. the 100 to 130 I would likely spend to go electric.

[mlc240z]

WAIT!!!

scroll down about 1/3 to 'fan clutch too loud'

http://geocities.com/zgarage2001/

more detailed

http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/FanClutch/FanClutch.htm

this is one of the few EASY things to do on your Z.

you NEED to use that cash for other things on your ZZZZROFL.

[DatsunZsRule]

Yeah, it's a bad fan clutch. I have to disagree on "Checker being the best Auto Parts Store" :sick: I personally use nothing but Genuine Nissan Parts. Kinda like the old saying goes: "You get what you pay for" I've seen too many people that have had trouble with aftermarket fan clutches that go to hell shortly after they install them. Aftermarket can be ok for some stuff. It just depends on what it is.

BTW, the above is just my opinion. Do what you want and what your budget allows.

[sblake01]

DZR, I totally agree. I'd rather go to the junkyard and find a good used Nissan fan clutch that buy a new one from Kragen (That's our west coast Checker), Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc. And mlc240z is correct. They're not that hard to recondition.

[=Enigma=]

In its locked up state, that thing has to be robbing power from your engine. I think you'll find it a bit more peppy once you get it fixed.

[KDMatt]

DZR: Just for the record, I do agree with you that Nissan OEM products are clearly superior to other, aftermarket brands, however, you must understand that my budget allows for anything that works. The less money I have to shell out for something that does the same job, the better. I mean, I can afford new, OEM stuff, but I try to keep a really tight budget for trivial stuff like this because I can't turn my back on my car... I have always be ready for some major, money-sucking repair to come along and require my attention. I mean, if I buy 3 new things from Nissan for 50, 80, and 120 dollars respectively, instead of opting for aftermarket stuff that could cost 20, 45, and 70 respectively... that leaves me with $115 less to play with... which could be the difference between an OEM -part- and and aftermarket one.

You have the angle of having a perfectly original, mint 280Z... mine's been significantly modified in the past, and is not even close to "mint," so using anything other than Nissan parts in your case would probably border on sacrelige, whereas for me... if something is broken, the only quality that really matters to me in the replacement part is that it does its job, and does it as good or better than the part it's replacing.

You also have the angle of having a (presumably) larger budget than I do. I can only do what my budget permits, nothing more.

Whew. Anyway, that's not an attack or anything (as you said, it's just your opinion), I just wanted to state my standings as well and include the "why" reasoning.

Now, about that fan clutch...

In its locked up state, that thing has to be robbing power from your engine. I think you'll find it a bit more peppy once you get it fixed.

Heh, there are a lot of things robbing me of power. Bad fuel injectors and lousy oil I'm sure are just a few.

Not to mention I'm pretty sure that the lubricants in the transmission and differential are probably low...

[sblake01]

What we are saying, however, is that in the case of the fan clutch, OEM is better. That's from experience in my case. I bought one from Autozone, returned it twice finally getting a refund and bought one from Nissan. The aftermarket one, at least in my case, did not sufficently cool the engine. That, in itself, could lead to a 'major, money-sucking repair'.

[zhead240]

is this what KD needs?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-Thermal-Fan-Clutch_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33600QQitemZ8018157307QQrdZ1

[=Enigma=]

I sent him am PM since the auction ends on just over an hr from now.