Replacement radiator fan

[benjj]

My fan has got a gnarly bearing so I'm going to replace it. I had a look online and all the used fans look a little, well, cack. Its one of those items that obviously gets a lot of use so they're all probably reaching the end of their useful lives.

I called my local Porsche dealer and they can get them on order from DE for £260+VAT. That is just the fan, not the shroud, fittings etc. Ouch.

My rally mechanic suggested sacking off the OEM part and buying either a 12'' Pacet or Kenlowe modern fan. Both are around £120.

Has anyone done this? Interested in any differences etc.

Ta,

Ben

 

[chrisg]

Ben

a couple of thoughts for you:

1. I have perfectly good working fan from a 951 if you're interested - I've dropped one fan off mine to improve airflow at higher speeds

2. The design and manufacturing of these fans is 30+ years old now, design and materials have come a long way since Porsche first produced these. IMHO a modern kenlow type fan will be significantly quieter, more efficient and weight a lot less.

yours

Chris

 

[944 man]

Wont the loss of the shroud detract from any benefit?

 

[benjj]

Thanks Chris,

Might be interested depending on price [] - I think the PM system is still kaput so feel free to drop me a line on ben.williams@bjjw.com

ORIGINAL: chrisg

Ben

a couple of thoughts for you:

1. I have perfectly good working fan from a 951 if you're interested - I've dropped one fan off mine to improve airflow at higher speeds

2. The design and manufacturing of these fans is 30+ years old now, design and materials have come a long way since Porsche first produced these. IMHO a modern kenlow type fan will be significantly quieter, more efficient and weight a lot less.

yours

Chris

 

[ChasR]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Wont the loss of the shroud detract from any benefit?

My thoughts exactly. One could adapt the Porsche shrouding I guess to make it work.

FWIW, £260 could be worse. On my Ford (a 2005 Mondeo 3.0 V6) a fan assembly is close to £500 (that is the fan, the fan controller (it is a infinitely variable speed fan) along with the shroud. Handy if the controller dies (you can guess what happened to mine after I had a clutch changed []), and you cannot buy the bits of their own...

However, I would be tempted to try greasing up what you have or getting a replacement fan from a donor car. Certainly during the summer my Turbo seemed to keep its cool as did my previous S2 (at least on its new radiator ).

 

[benjj]

Chris,

Can you drop me a line about your fan? Need to get this sorted pronto. My email is in my post above.

Ta.

 

[924nutter]

Benjj if you are that competent it shouldn't be beyond you to take the motor apart and change the bearings, I did an ac motor which was filled with water and completely seized, for my pond vac; took it carefully apart and got new bearings. You can either measure the dimensions and look them up or get the number off the old bearing. A new pump motor was £146 the bearings cost me 96p each, that is the order of magnitude of saving to be had. It my not be possible on the rad fan but if it is broken you cant break it any more by having a look. It might save you a wad of cash. Not tried it on the fan motor but I would consider it if I was up the creek.