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Pcforno
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 575
Location: Santa Fe, nm
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 Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 2:48 pm Post subject: Radiator fan noise |
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So how many of you with AC can hear the radiator fan on low when it comes on- mine isn’t as crazy loud as high speed (which sounds like an F-15 taking off), but low is loud enough in mine when the AC comes on to be annoying. Just curious if a new motor with fresh bearings would quiet it down to the point of barely hearing it at a stoplight.
Thanks in advance
Last edited by Pcforno on Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:39 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6360
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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Pcforno
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 575
Location: Santa Fe, nm
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:30 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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| So you can’t hear your fan on low at all Alika? |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3119
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:41 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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| Pcforno wrote: |
| So you can’t hear your fan on low at all Alika? |
I have a hard time hearing mine when I'm driving.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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Pcforno
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 575
Location: Santa Fe, nm
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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| Right - but how about at a stoplight? Barely hear it or add to the cabin noise significantly? |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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DanHoug
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4800
Location: Bemidji, MN
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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yeah, you WANT to hear that noise! it's feedback the AC fan trip system is working correctly. without that noise, you're just a clueless buffoon ambling thru life without a clue, possibly driving their AC condenser pressures into the straosphere. when you hear that noise, you know all is well with the relays, AC signals, and the Universe.
you're driving an honest-to-gosh machine that hasn't insulated you from the soft side of life. embrace it!!
-dan |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7477
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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I can hear my rad fan when the a/c compressor cycles, possibly not while driving but certainly at idle. I don’t believe the bearings are bad.
I believe Kourt has wired in a switch to manually turn off the rad fan when he deems it’s not needed. I’ve considered doing this but haven’t gotten around to it.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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Pcforno
Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2014
Posts: 575
Location: Santa Fe, nm
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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| Yeah I’ve just been on a van quieting kick recently. I did all over insulation, metal backed butyl liner, and mass loaded vinyl decoupler. Van is super quiet so I’m addressing last little things and seeing if I can get the fan any quieter, but it sounds like perhaps it’s pretty normal to hear the fan somewhat loudly on low at idle. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6833
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 7:32 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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You know it is really working when your at a stoplight and it sucks you forward. 
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6360
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 1:49 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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the stock van fan will never be quiet.
it has a HUGE motor and 3 small plastic blades (air beaters)
modern fans have multiple blades in varied sizes to reduce the loud brrrrappp and harmonics.
it's not all that difficult to remove the old and install a modern fan, though i wouldn't recommend a 'cheap' off the shelf unit from FLAPS. at least use an OEM and make necessary modifications or look into a proper streetrod electric fan.
though fwiw I did use an off the shelf generic on our new 98 mystique back in 99 after it suffered front end damage.. and that lasted the 7yrs we owned it ok.
here's some good reading on the topic
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=601997
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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0to60in6min
Samba Member
Joined: November 27, 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: OR & CA (Oregon/California)
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| Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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for the rad fan there are 2 kinds of noises
- grinding noise -> bad bearing, need new rad fan or repair
- air flow noise, similar to a small turbo prop taking off.. -> normal, yup, very loud when the 3rd speed kicks in...
I panicked when I heard it the 1st time on a trip to Death Valley...  |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32634
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1948
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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Stage 1 fan: only turns on when the radiator reaches a certain temperature. I can hear it when sitting at idle, but not when driving.
Stage 2 fan: only turns on when the AC compressor is running. I can hear it when driving, but it's a low noise in the background, and I like AC so I accept it.
Stage 3 fan: only turns on when the radiator reaches a certain high temperature. I drowns out everything else, and heads will turn. I never hear this stage, as my van runs fine, even on the hottest days.
I have also had a fan motor go bad. The bearings were shot and the fan failed to operate. It was not noisy--just failed and not spinning with any real effect. I bought a used replacement from someone in Hawaii and it's working fine.
kourt |
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ALIKA T3
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6360
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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| Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 4:09 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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| kourt wrote: |
Stage 1 fan: only turns on when the radiator reaches a certain temperature. I can hear it when sitting at idle, but not when driving.
Stage 2 fan: only turns on when the AC compressor is running. I can hear it when driving, but it's a low noise in the background, and I like AC so I accept it.
Stage 3 fan: only turns on when the radiator reaches a certain high temperature. I drowns out everything else, and heads will turn. I never hear this stage, as my van runs fine, even on the hottest days.
I have also had a fan motor go bad. The bearings were shot and the fan failed to operate. It was not noisy--just failed and not spinning with any real effect. I bought a used replacement from someone in Hawaii and it's working fine.
kourt |
Did I sell you a fan motor a while back?
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget |
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dgbeatty
Samba Member
Joined: October 26, 2006
Posts: 702
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2018 5:12 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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It is possible to update the fan control. While VW kept it super simple it is not very hard to modernize it so the fan speed is more needs dependant.
It requires new a pressure sensor, not a switch. You will also need a solid state controller. Figure about $250 plus in parts. You may need to change the fitting on the high pressure a/c line, so add evacuate and recharge to the cost. Don't forget we need to take engine temp into consideration, either variable or staged.
After the planning a nice Saturday project. |
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kourt
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2013
Posts: 1948
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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| ALIKA T3 wrote: |
Did I sell you a fan motor a while back? |
I believe it was someone named Eddie with a white Subaru Westy.
kourt |
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rmcd
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2010
Posts: 1349
Location: PNW - its a dry rain.
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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Just finalized a new smallcar ac system. Replaced the OEM fan with a busdepot fan while in there. It comes on every few minutes when the new ac compressor has been running for a bit. It is loud. Very noticeable by cars next to me in traffic. Good news is the extra pull from the fan added 3mpg.
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight= |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7477
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2018 11:34 pm Post subject: Re: Radiator fan noise |
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| kourt wrote: |
| ALIKA T3 wrote: |
Did I sell you a fan motor a while back? |
I believe it was someone named Eddie with a white Subaru Westy.
kourt |
Perhaps Hawaii is teeming with friendly dudes selling Vanagon rad fan motors?
Just a thought.
_________________
- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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