Do Wedges have Propellors?!

[jonknight]

Just taken my 280i to be serviced, as there was a really bad "fan-belt squeek" when the engine was revved.

Now I've got it back, there's no squeek, but you can hear what sounds like fan noise from the engine bay. The pitch of the noise gets higher, the higher the pitch of the engine. Also, performance seems to be down a bit.

I've had a look under the bonnet, and it appears that the fan is connected via a belt directly to the engine, rather than being independently powered, as I had presumed. Presumably this means that the faster you rev, the faster the fan moves... which is a propellor, isn't it? ;-)

Am I worrying over nothing here, or has the mechanic who serviced the car botched up?

Let me know your thoughts!

[GreenV8S]

Just taken my 280i to be serviced, as there was a really bad "fan-belt squeek" when the engine was revved.

Now I've got it back, there's no squeek, but you can hear what sounds like fan noise from the engine bay. The pitch of the noise gets higher, the higher the pitch of the engine. Also, performance seems to be down a bit.

I've had a look under the bonnet, and it appears that the fan is connected via a belt directly to the engine, rather than being independently powered, as I had presumed. Presumably this means that the faster you rev, the faster the fan moves... which is a propellor, isn't it? ;-)

Am I worrying over nothing here, or has the mechanic who serviced the car botched up?

Let me know your thoughts!

You have a mechanical fan on the water pump? Gosh how quaint! Nowadays we tend to use electric fans on the radiator, so they only come on when needed and don't depend on engine revs. It seems unlikely that your mechanic would have fitted this during the service though!

[sjp76]

I think I'm right in saying that the original fans fitted were "viscous" fans. When the engine heats up, the clutch in the fan grips the rotating shaft tighter, causing it to spin faster (almost at the same revs as the engine). If yours is doing that all the time, it could be that the fan has been locked off so it spins directly with the engine. ( I did this on my 280 as a temporary measure when the temperature sensitive clutch on the fan stopped working properly)

I don't think this would hurt, but performance and fuel economy would both be affected.

[jonknight]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look when I get home. Also, I'll have a look in the "Bible" and see what it says. If it is the fan clutch, like you say, can you fit a conventional electric motor / thermostat for the fan?

[sjp76]

I can't see how you could fit a thermostatically controlled electric motor to the existing fan. It would be far easier to buy an electric fan unit and install it on the front of the radiator. I bought a fairly heavy duty one for about £125.00. I think you'll find that a new viscous fan would not cost much less than this, so if it does need replacing, might as well go down the elctric fan route. You may even gain an extra bhp or two, as no energy would be lost to driving the fan.

Cheers,

Steve.

[350matt]

Alternativly a fan off a diesel in the scrappy would be about 10 quid, pay your money and take your choice.
Matt

[shpub]

Yep early 280i had a real fan and none of this wimpy electrical gubbins. Yes you can remove the fan and fit an electric one if you want TVR certainly did with the later 280i

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[york33]

All the best TVRs have these fans ) That's one of the few working bits on my little baby :-)

[jonknight]

Had a look at the cooling system this weekend, and it appears that the bearings on the water pump have gone. That's what would appear to be making the higher pitch noise.

Does anyone know what the Ford part number is for the the the 280i water pump. It's from an '82 Tasmin, so I need the original water pump design, rather than Ford's '86 modified one.

And does anyone know where I can order one from? Are there any decent internet sites that do Ford parts?

[sjp76]

I replaced mine not that long ago. Just removed it and took it to my local motor factor. They matched it there and then, so shouldn't be too hard to get, mind you, I've got an '86 280.

A word of caution, be careful when undoing the many bolts that hold it on. They are normally tight and can strip the threads or snap off in the case. I also broke the thermostat housing and that was quite difficult to replace. Gently does it!

Cheers,
Steve.

>> Edited by sjp76 on Tuesday 18th February 16:49

[jonknight]

Managed to track one down in the end. Found a really helpful parts company who are sending one through.. I'll let you know how it turns out!