Evening all. I have a loud rattling sound coming from the front of my 2004 XJ8 Sport. It sounds plasticy, so im guesing, possibly, that its the radiator fan - perhaps wearing out. I was hoping someone might have experienced similar and may be able to confirm, or maybe diagnose something else. The noise only happens once the car is up to operating temps.

I've just taken 2 video clips. the first with engine running. unfortunately its not quite as obvious in the clip - its much louder in actual fact. But you can just hear it along with the engine noise. it sounds like a ticking in this clip.
in the 2nd video I turn the engine off and you can hear the noise carry on for a few seconds before it stops. I thought it sounds like a whirring noise, which is why i thought the fan.
(temp gauge sits where it should at all times and no coolant loss)

any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Dani

 

Radiator fan is electrically driven and does not turn on when engine is cold!
Recorded sound does not do justice, it can be anything from bad bearing on accessory, drive belt coming apart and slapping, timing chain, exhaust leaking or absolutely nothing wrong!

 

KISS method.

De-power it. Not for a cross-country go at the Cannonball Baker. Just for a few minutes.

Noise ceases? It is more likely the fan than sudden deafness.

 

The radiator fan also runs with a cold engine when the aircon is turned on. If you switch off the aircon while the engine is cold, the fan should turn off, as well.

Regarding the noise, I also cannot identify it.

Best regards,

Thomas

 

This sounded like a very easy thing to test, so....

started car from cold. no rattle.
turned on AirCon. rattle started after a few seconds!
turned AirCon off. rattle stopped after a few seconds!!


thankyou for that, so looks like the fan/shroud assembly is the source of the rattle. Unless it can come loose and something needs tightening. Doesnt look like theres much room to work around the radiator area so might end up taking to the garage. But i'll take off the top cover when i get a chance to see if its something i can do myself....

 

Easily as important as whether the fan assembly has failed / is failing, look to insure some OTHER player hasn't come adrift // been unintentionally displaced from wherever it belongs..

Bad things can transpire if/as/when a fan sawblades itself though a wiring harness or fluid plumbing hose.

Bit of PBSL, you might get by with nowt but a few minutes of yer time and a zip-tie or two?

 

Just to close off my thread. I took the car to my mechanic and the fan bearings have been diagnosed as the noisy fault.
I had a secondhand one bookmarked on autoreserve but unfortunately that sold a few days ago, so if anyone has any suggestions where i could get a decent SH fan unit that would be great...
cheers!