HJ47 making very odd noises

[80DGY]

Are the engine fan bearings in these known to collapse?

The old T2 started making a fucked up rubbing/grinding sort of noise today as I was picking up some gear from the oldies. As soon as I shut down it slowly starts to wind to a stop, leading me to believe the bearings in the fan are fucked.

The problem seems to be intermitent and from having a sticky beak under the bonnet, there's no foreign objects caught up in there. I tried to turn the fan by hand and it doesn't spin freely? Since I cut the top off my fingers on a rad fan I have actively avoided putting my hands near any engine bays for quite some time so I can't remember if it's supposed to?

Can PF help before I have to n00b it up and send it to a mechanic?

[Mr Jones]

Take the fanbelt off and run the engine. See if you still have the noise

[80DGY]

didn't think of that!

will have a captain hook at it tomorrow

[Mr Jones]

Clutch fan will spin fairly free when cold but locks up with heat. Check the water pump for play and noises while the belt is off

[80DGY]

Right

So I have tried to turn it by hand this morning and it's quite hard to turn but then gets to a point (on the same rotation) where it frees up for about a third of a turn and then goes back to being stiff to turn. I'm going to start it later on (waiting for the nopics to get home) so I can have a sticky beak under the bonnet while it's running (seriously don't like running engine bays when I'm on my own)

Hopefully that's all it is, should be fine to drive as long as I'm moving and keeping an eye on temp gauge while sitting still?

Throw in your 2 bob...

[irsa76]

In my experience with clutch fans when they die they lock on so you won't have overheating issues, warmup will be longer though.
Worse comes to worse just throw a fixed fan on and don't worry about it.
Fwiw I ran my 323 with no fan at all for a little while when the dog tried to eat it, never leave plastic fans on the ground when you have an curious dog when changing engines.

[80DGY]

Started it up and it made the noise for a bit, let the cunt run til it got reasonably hot and no noise?

It has only happened on short trips where it doesn't really get a chance to warm up but that seems the most logical so far

[BigJonWB]

Right

So I have tried to turn it by hand this morning and it's quite hard to turn but then gets to a point (on the same rotation) where it frees up for about a third of a turn and then goes back to being stiff to turn.



Throw in your 2 bob...

Viscous clutch is fucked, replace it.

[80DGY]

Not only is it the fan, but it would appear my starter is staying engaged for maybe 20-30 seconds before stopping?

Is this a new starter fix or hopefully some support part to it?

[Tripper]

probably just the solenoid sticking on the starter, if its a prick of a job to remove the starter you might be able to carefully loosen the end cap of the solenoid and spray a heap of silicone spray in it and free it up just take care as the spring can come flying out if you remove the cap