Rx400H Engine Cooling Fan "chirping" Sound

[cduluk]

Hi all,

Last night the front left radiator cooling fan in the rx400h started making a chirping sound when running. It hasn't gone away. Any ideas?

[lenore]

Is there any debris in the fan blades? With car off check and make sure the fan doesn't wobble, mayb the bearings are shot.

[cduluk]

Definitely nothing blocking the blades, and it doesn't have any more/less play when wiggled compared to the passenger side fan.

The chirping has quickly turned into a loud rattle. No doubt it's coming from the drivers side fan. Attached is a short video clip of the sound. If i shake the fan while it's running, it starts to rattle, then goes away for a second, but ultimately comes back. It sounds like a jet engine running with broken fan blades on the highway. I can shut the fans off by turning off the heat, but... it's kind of cold outside up here in RI!

Thoughts? Dealer is quoting $200+ for the part...

IMG_1633.MOV

[lenore]

With all of the stuff you have done replacing it yourself would be a simple task....Those fans should be cheap at any other source.

That is probably a cheap price the fan motor runs around $174. see here :

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-catalog/1603164883-EngineAndFuel-RX400h-2008.html

item 16363

Wow $200 labor, must be a lot of beer and smoke breaks.

[RX400h]

It could be something under/inside the fan shroud or possible, the water pump if the sound is coming from an area that is closer to the engine.

[riwyle]

Have you tried to pin down the source of the sound with a mechanic's stethoscope? You can get one from Harbor Freight for less than $5.

[cduluk]

Well, the issue was with the motor itself. I took the entire fan asy. out of the car and removed the fan blade. If i turned the pin of motor with my hand, i could hear the chirp. Something internal must have gone bad... I ordered a new motor and installed it, and now the sound's gone!

[lenore]

Maybe a piece of dirt got in the bearing. If you clean it with wd40 (yes it is not a lubricant) does it still chirp.