2003 sedan - clutch fan sticking?
#1
09-27-2005 | 12:30 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
2003 sedan - clutch fan sticking?
I call it a clutch fan, others might call it something else.
I believe this is replaced in later models with an electric fan(s).
I think mine might be sticking - listen to the attached sound clips - I just noticed that it seems to make a lot more fan noise at low revs. Noticable in the last 2 sound clips.
https://g35driver.com/forums/showpos...5&postcount=26
It might explain my sinking feeling - that I am getting less HP and less "butt-dyno" results than I previously had.
Any suggestions on how to go about replacing the clutch fan with electric fan replacements? (cheap?)
I believe this is replaced in later models with an electric fan(s).
I think mine might be sticking - listen to the attached sound clips - I just noticed that it seems to make a lot more fan noise at low revs. Noticable in the last 2 sound clips.
https://g35driver.com/forums/showpos...5&postcount=26
It might explain my sinking feeling - that I am getting less HP and less "butt-dyno" results than I previously had.
Any suggestions on how to go about replacing the clutch fan with electric fan replacements? (cheap?)
Last edited by andycon; 09-27-2005 at 12:34 AM. Reason: added link
#2
09-27-2005 | 12:59 PM
Sounds completely normal to me and it sounds just like my 03.
The fan is almost always running when you first start the car. Why? I couldn't tell you. Also if the engine is hot, the fan will be on. I would imagine your audio recordings were probably made shortly after taking the car on a test drive.
Usually after a minute or so if driving, the engine driven fan usually disengages and reverts to the electric fan on the radiator.
Why do you think you're loosing power?
Many say the engine driven fan sucks out as much as 10whp power. I'd disagree because my 03 sure doesn't seem to be suffering from poor ETs or slow MPHs.
The fan is almost always running when you first start the car. Why? I couldn't tell you. Also if the engine is hot, the fan will be on. I would imagine your audio recordings were probably made shortly after taking the car on a test drive.
Usually after a minute or so if driving, the engine driven fan usually disengages and reverts to the electric fan on the radiator.
Why do you think you're loosing power?
Many say the engine driven fan sucks out as much as 10whp power. I'd disagree because my 03 sure doesn't seem to be suffering from poor ETs or slow MPHs.
#3
09-27-2005 | 01:36 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Actually after thinking about it, it is probably normal - it is supposed to turn at low revs, then free-up as the revs increase, so one should expect to hear it at low revs.
I agree with you- on the last sound clips, the engine was probably warmer after a test drive. I don't recall with the early clips, but it may have been cold after the install.
It is still interesting the noticable difference. If that fan is locked and turning, then it must pull quite a bit of power until it unlocks. So it must affect getting off the line at least a bit.
I wonder what times you'ld get if you took it off? - just to check. If you watch the temps, you should be ok for a short test.??
Do the 04's have a thermo fan (e-fan)?
If so, do the parts drop into an 03?
re: losing power. It's probably heat related (Texas has been high 90's and even in the 100's), but lately the car just isn't pulling as hard. It does however seems much better in the mornings.
The only quantification I can provide is rough 0-60 times (handheld stopwatch). I know this is sooo imprecise, but....
car at operating temp;
3 runs, 0-60 (outside 88 degrees) ~7.5sec
3 runs, 0-60 (outside 95 degrees) ~8.2sec
(03 sedan AT, a/c off, VDC off)
I am waiting for the weather to cool - then try again.
Again, the only reason for these 0-60 times is that I am lacking any other quantifiable metrics to measure what I perceive to be power loss.
I agree with you- on the last sound clips, the engine was probably warmer after a test drive. I don't recall with the early clips, but it may have been cold after the install.
It is still interesting the noticable difference. If that fan is locked and turning, then it must pull quite a bit of power until it unlocks. So it must affect getting off the line at least a bit.
I wonder what times you'ld get if you took it off? - just to check. If you watch the temps, you should be ok for a short test.??
Do the 04's have a thermo fan (e-fan)?
If so, do the parts drop into an 03?
re: losing power. It's probably heat related (Texas has been high 90's and even in the 100's), but lately the car just isn't pulling as hard. It does however seems much better in the mornings.
The only quantification I can provide is rough 0-60 times (handheld stopwatch). I know this is sooo imprecise, but....
car at operating temp;
3 runs, 0-60 (outside 88 degrees) ~7.5sec
3 runs, 0-60 (outside 95 degrees) ~8.2sec
(03 sedan AT, a/c off, VDC off)
I am waiting for the weather to cool - then try again.
Again, the only reason for these 0-60 times is that I am lacking any other quantifiable metrics to measure what I perceive to be power loss.
Originally Posted by DaveB
Sounds completely normal to me and it sounds just like my 03.
The fan is almost always running when you first start the car. Why? I couldn't tell you. Also if the engine is hot, the fan will be on. I would imagine your audio recordings were probably made shortly after taking the car on a test drive.
Usually after a minute or so if driving, the engine driven fan usually disengages and reverts to the electric fan on the radiator.
Why do you think you're loosing power?
Many say the engine driven fan sucks out as much as 10whp power. I'd disagree because my 03 sure doesn't seem to be suffering from poor ETs or slow MPHs.
The fan is almost always running when you first start the car. Why? I couldn't tell you. Also if the engine is hot, the fan will be on. I would imagine your audio recordings were probably made shortly after taking the car on a test drive.
Usually after a minute or so if driving, the engine driven fan usually disengages and reverts to the electric fan on the radiator.
Why do you think you're loosing power?
Many say the engine driven fan sucks out as much as 10whp power. I'd disagree because my 03 sure doesn't seem to be suffering from poor ETs or slow MPHs.
#4
09-27-2005 | 02:23 PM
Yep, lower speeds (below 10mph), a really hot engine, and/or the A/C on, the clutch fan will usually be operating unless it's cold outside. Usually once the car is at 20mph+, there isn't much reason for the fan to be engaged because of all the air flow across the radiator and in the engine bay. The fan is pretty noisy though. Lots of whooshing noises in 1st gear on scalding hot days.
When the clutch fan is engaged, there probably is some power loss (much like the A/C compressor engaged). The same can be said for electrical fans. They will draw heavily on the alternator when they're on and they will take away power. Regardless of which fan system is employed on the car, when they're operating, it usually means the engine is really hot and the conditions are unfavorable (hot ambient air) therefore the car will be sluggish.
In Kansas City during the summer, the temps are consistently in the 90s with heavy humidity. Just recently we got some cooler and drier air. Last night I was driving and the temps were in low 60s with lower humidity. The car was far more responsive which is a given. I will say my G35 isn't remotely as laggy in hot weather as my 96 Maxima was. Even in hot weather, the G still feels pretty strong.
I've only been to the track once with the G. Temps were in the 70s and my first two runs were 15 minutes after getting off the highway after 40 minute rushhour drive. The motor was heat soaked and I could hear the clutch fan engaged as I rolled up to the line. The car still clicked off a 14.4. I don't think you have much to worry about.
When the clutch fan is engaged, there probably is some power loss (much like the A/C compressor engaged). The same can be said for electrical fans. They will draw heavily on the alternator when they're on and they will take away power. Regardless of which fan system is employed on the car, when they're operating, it usually means the engine is really hot and the conditions are unfavorable (hot ambient air) therefore the car will be sluggish.
In Kansas City during the summer, the temps are consistently in the 90s with heavy humidity. Just recently we got some cooler and drier air. Last night I was driving and the temps were in low 60s with lower humidity. The car was far more responsive which is a given. I will say my G35 isn't remotely as laggy in hot weather as my 96 Maxima was. Even in hot weather, the G still feels pretty strong.
I've only been to the track once with the G. Temps were in the 70s and my first two runs were 15 minutes after getting off the highway after 40 minute rushhour drive. The motor was heat soaked and I could hear the clutch fan engaged as I rolled up to the line. The car still clicked off a 14.4. I don't think you have much to worry about.
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