Fan hitting radiator bolt?

[mct75]

Had a weird one this morning. Drove all day yesterday and about 20 miles early this morning with no issues, then came back an hour later and got a horrible noise. It turns out the fan was hitting one of the radiator should bolts, based on me spinning it by hand.

Best I could tell in the dark, the fan clutch/hub, radiator, and radiator should are all secure. I cranked it back up and no noise again. I read about motor mounts causing this issue, but I'm a little skeptical. Is there anything else I should check or is it just that simple?

 

[Malleus]

Sounds like you have a terminal case of flexible reality on your hands. I recommend a liberal application of a strong adult beverage. (Not to be construed as medical advice)

If it happens again, get photographic evidence. And maybe a Ouija board.

 

[inkpot]

Good chance the fan is hitting the very bottom of the shroud. Shroud may be loose or not properly positioned at the bottom where it has two tangs that fit into pockets on the radiator itself. It can be extra challenging to fit the bottom on some of the aftermarket radiators. Only 2 bolts in shroud are at very top and screw into bolsters on the top tank.

 

[mct75]

I am 90% sure it was hitting the shroud mounting bolt up top. One of the bolts (driver side) protrudes into the inside of the shroud and the fan was scraping on this bolt when I turned it over by hand.

 

[inkpot]

I am 90% sure it was hitting the shroud mounting bolt up top. One of the bolts (driver side) protrudes into the inside of the shroud and the fan was scraping on this bolt when I turned it over by hand.

I'd love to see a pic of that. Done a lot of shrouds and radiators on 80s but don't remember a bolt there. Maybe not OEM?

 

[mct75]

I will take a video when I get home (if it's still doing it). It's a Koyo rad on a 3FE, so perhaps the 1FZ's have no bolt there.

 

[inkpot]

I will take a video when I get home (if it's still doing it). It's a Koyo rad on a 3FE, so perhaps the 1FZ's have no bolt there.

Could be. Only done a few of them. Mostly 1fz's. I was thinking it was more like a later model than an fj62. Just had a 62 here yesterday, but was looking at leaks underneath instead of radiator area.