Loud Radiator Fan When AC is on

DanDotor · Jul 22nd, 2019, 16:08

Hi guys, I have a 2009 XC60, 200,000 miles, car works well but the 2 fans at the front of the engine bay have started to be really loud (not a mechanical noise but rather just an air being moved noise) when the AC is on, they go quiet when its turned off. Any ideas appreciated before I begin the mission of finding a mechanic who takes more than 2 minutes to look into it.

SwissXC90 · Jul 22nd, 2019, 16:14

AC sets the fan to max speed.

If it is loud, then it can only be the motor or bearings failing, or the fan is out of balance.

Get in there when the motor is cold and clean the front and back of all the fan blades, looking for insects, chewing gum, stones, tar, or pieces of road kill.
A piece of muck on a fan blade will imbalance it and the fan will be much noisier and also vibrate more and thus will eventually cause accelerated bearing wear.
If you are lucky, the bearings and motor are still OK.

Warning: NEVER put hands in the fan when the motor is hot!
The fan can start any time and cut your fingers or hand off!
You won't be a fan of your fan if that happens.

DanDotor · Jul 22nd, 2019, 16:39

Checked both fans and they are clean, no debris. Any other ideas?

Jul 22nd, 2019, 16:08	#1
DanDotor New Member Last Online: Jun 9th, 2023 18:32 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Horsham	Loud Radiator Fan When AC is on Hi guys, I have a 2009 XC60, 200,000 miles, car works well but the 2 fans at the front of the engine bay have started to be really loud (not a mechanical noise but rather just an air being moved noise) when the AC is on, they go quiet when its turned off. Any ideas appreciated before I begin the mission of finding a mechanic who takes more than 2 minutes to look into it.

Jul 22nd, 2019, 16:14	#2
SwissXC90 Premier Member Last Online: Mar 20th, 2024 18:26 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Cross Country	AC sets the fan to max speed. If it is loud, then it can only be the motor or bearings failing, or the fan is out of balance. Get in there when the motor is cold and clean the front and back of all the fan blades, looking for insects, chewing gum, stones, tar, or pieces of road kill. A piece of muck on a fan blade will imbalance it and the fan will be much noisier and also vibrate more and thus will eventually cause accelerated bearing wear. If you are lucky, the bearings and motor are still OK. Warning: NEVER put hands in the fan when the motor is hot! The fan can start any time and cut your fingers or hand off! You won't be a fan of your fan if that happens. __________________ XC90 R-Design MY2009, Black Sapphire Metallic. HP-Sound, RSE, Nav, Tel, ParkingCam, BLIS, ParkingHeater, RestHeat, Removable Towbar, Summer: CRATUS 20x8 on Pirelli Scorpion Zeros 255/45, Winter: NEPTUNE 17x7 on Continental WinterContact 4x4 235/65.

Jul 22nd, 2019, 16:39	#3
DanDotor New Member Last Online: Jun 9th, 2023 18:32 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Horsham	Checked both fans and they are clean, no debris. Any other ideas?

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