Problems after Radiator install
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 2
From: East TN
Problems after Radiator install
After installing a Dewitt radiator on my '94, I am now getting a distinct noise of the driver side cooling fan hitting something. Long story short Mr. Dewitt sent me a replacement shroud with both fans. When the passenger side fan comes on all is fine, then I turn on the A/C to auto to make the driver side fan come on and I get the noise. My question is, what could the fan possibly be hitting? It seems hard for it to be hitting the radiator as there is that plastic spine protecting them where the radiator rests. I even tried putting in a spacer where the shroud comes together at the top. I know the obvious answer here is open up the shroud and see what's going on but it just seems that there is nothing it could possibly be hitting... or am I not thinking of something? Also the passenger side fan does not make a noise so whatever the problem is it's not on both sides. Is it possible that this replacement shroud has some kind of defect that would make a noise like a fan hitting something, has anyone had a problem like this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
I never had this happen but what I would do before pulling the shroud out. If this fan/motor assembly was not off of yours to begin with here is what comes to mind.
I would turn the fan over by hand to see if it is physically hitting the rad. (if so you maybe able to "feel" where, or if it is the entire fan etc.). Turning it by hand may also find it is motor noise, binding, or something got sucked into the motor. See if any blades are cracked from the outside ring, and or if the frame that holds the motor/fan ***. to the shroud can be possibly cracked and moving. You can also get a hold on the blade/s and see if the armature shaft has any end play in the motor which is allowing it to move forward into the rad. Swap that fan/motor ***. out (from the back side of shroud) with your original......
I would turn the fan over by hand to see if it is physically hitting the rad. (if so you maybe able to "feel" where, or if it is the entire fan etc.). Turning it by hand may also find it is motor noise, binding, or something got sucked into the motor. See if any blades are cracked from the outside ring, and or if the frame that holds the motor/fan ***. to the shroud can be possibly cracked and moving. You can also get a hold on the blade/s and see if the armature shaft has any end play in the motor which is allowing it to move forward into the rad. Swap that fan/motor ***. out (from the back side of shroud) with your original......
Last edited by mseven; Mar 8, 2009 at 09:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 2
From: East TN
I never had this happen but what I would do before pulling the shroud out. If this fan/motor assembly was not off of yours to begin with here is what comes to mind.
I would turn the fan over by hand to see if it is physically hitting the rad. (if so you maybe able to "feel" where, or if it is the entire fan etc.). Turning it by hand may also find it is motor noise, binding, or something got sucked into the motor. See if any blades are cracked from the outside ring, and or if the frame that holds the motor/fan ***. to the shroud can be possibly cracked and moving. You can also get a hold on the blade/s and see if the armature shaft has any end play in the motor which is allowing it to move forward into the rad. Swap that fan/motor ***. out (from the back side of shroud) with your original......
I would turn the fan over by hand to see if it is physically hitting the rad. (if so you maybe able to "feel" where, or if it is the entire fan etc.). Turning it by hand may also find it is motor noise, binding, or something got sucked into the motor. See if any blades are cracked from the outside ring, and or if the frame that holds the motor/fan ***. to the shroud can be possibly cracked and moving. You can also get a hold on the blade/s and see if the armature shaft has any end play in the motor which is allowing it to move forward into the rad. Swap that fan/motor ***. out (from the back side of shroud) with your original......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Thanks, those are some great suggestions. This just makes me more leary of buying stuff on eBay (where the shroud was purchased). I've converted my car from an auto to manual, put in a cam, headers, RRs, custom audio system, etc, etc.. but for some reason removing and putting on that stupid shroud is a major PITA for me, I hate having to open that thing up. Oh well, I'll post back resulsts as soon as I find something...
The shroud used to be a PIA for me also until I reworked it to the point of not having to remove anything to take it off (ac is also gone).
Something that will make it easier (if you haven't already), is to take the clip nuts and install them on the bottom part of the shroud, reversed. This will allow removing/installing those 6 PIA screws from underneath the front opening instead of from the top.....hope that made sense.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 2
From: East TN
I tried moving the fan with my finger and noticed it was difficult to turn in some spots. I opened up the shroud again, would have had to anyways for the lighting upgrade I'm doing. I found it has been rubbing on one spot of the shroud's frame. I realigned it and it turns freely now, hope that does it. Thanks for the help 
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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I just installed my Dewitt Rad into my CE. I shaved 1/4" off and used the spacers. All is working fine, tight but fine. You'll have to do a visual down there, I don't think is possible for the fan to hit the rad. Check clearance between the fan and fan's frame/shroud.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 2
From: East TN
It was an alignment problem with the fan, I ended up opening it up and saw where it was rubbing against the shroud.... and after looking at it, I agree, it would be impossible for the fan to hit the radiator.
