5 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHRadiator fan squeal/groan
Leading reported evidence
Replace along
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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0
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1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
But it was still replaced along with some collateral damage to the hardware in that area.
Leading evidence: 'Replace along' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace along' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The fan didn't hole the radiator it dented it to the point when the tech found the damage he replaced the radiator along with of course the fan motor and other hardware damaged by the fan blade banging around in there.
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Suggestion
Unless you are forced into using the car with this bad fan I'd leave it parked until you get a chance to fix it.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The fan didn't hole the radiator it dented it to the point when the tech found the damage he replaced the radiator along with of course the fan motor and other hardware damaged by the fan blade banging around in there.
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5 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T052503Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I jumped in the 996 today expecting a great ride into work. There was a loud howling coming from the drivers side front. I pulled back into the garage and took my Yukon instead. I pretty much deduced that I need a new cooling fan, but wanted to know is this bearing noise detrimental to the operation of the fan? It went away after a few minutes of operation, and the fan was blowing fine it seemed. Just want to know if it is "safe" to operate while I wait for parts and time to install..?
Thoughts?
Maybe. Maybe not.
I don't like to tempt fate and push a car with in this case a possibly bad fan. If something happens one is left with just one fan. The engine will be ok - both of my Porsches have operated just fine with just one radiator fan working -- but if the 2nd fan goes out...
It was with this thought in mind that drove me to get the non-working radiator fan working pronto.
Unless you are forced into using the car with this bad fan I'd leave it parked until you get a chance to fix it.
Also, there is the risk -- though I believe small -- the radiator fan motor shaft could snap. Believe it or not my 996 Turbo suffered this failure mode. The passenger side radiator fan motor shaft snapped and hit the back of the radiator. I heard the noise when it let go but thought it was something thrown against the car's body or its panels. The fan didn't hole the radiator it dented it to the point when the tech found the damage he replaced the radiator along with of course the fan motor and other hardware damaged by the fan blade banging around in there. This was under CPO warranty I might add.
Both fans were out on my 996TT and did not cause any heating problems other than the air conditioner not working while sitting. I do have a bit more grill opening tho. Both of mine quit so no spinning blades to fly off.
My Turbo seems quite capable of keeping the engine temp under control as long as the car is moving based on I do not hear/detect the radiator fans on. I might add this is under relatively sedate driving. If the car was being pushed hard while the engine coolant temperature might remain acceptable if one was not aware of the non-functioning fans and failed to give the car a cooldown the engine coolant temperature and pressure could spike to possibly dangerous levels.
But with less than hard driving it appears to take some slow driving -- for instance circling around in a parking lot -- to trigger the fans on.
However, I would not want to have to rely upon this characteristic with both fans out. In stop/go driving I would be afraid the engine could overheat.
But the Turbo's aerodynamics are much better than the 996 NA car's aerodynamics (and light years ahead of my Boxster's). And in this case we are talking about a 996 NA car.
Also, in this case the OP's fan is making a howling noise which suggests a mechanical problem, possibly a failing bearing. This could end up with the fan just stopping but it could possibly lead to a mechanical failure like a shaft snapping. The fan has a ring around the fan blades and the blades are unlikely to break loose and become projectiles but as I mentioned in an earlier post when the shaft snapped the fan assembly hit the back of the radiator and dented the fins. Thankfully it didn't hole the thing. But it was still replaced along with some collateral damage to the hardware in that area.
My advice is to park the car until the fan can be fixed. This may be playing it overly safe but I see no reason to gamble.
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