Hey guys,

 

So today was hot as hell, so I had the fans on full on the drive back from Essex, but during the drive, the fans got really loud and I think I heard a noise.

 

Anyway, this is the noise my fans make now..

 

Untitled by Mexicanfab, on Flickr

 

Any ideas?

 

Thank you all.

 

Mex

Sounds like something obstruction it. Would leaves get in there?

Sounds to me like the fan blades clipping the housing. E28 BMWs make a similar noise when the bearings wear and allow the fan to dip. They usually shut up once the fan blades/housing wears enough, although by that point you're likely to be thoroughly narked off with the noise, and it will almost certainly be knackered. Common problem on those cars, not sure about Zs, but certainly sounds similar.

Sounds like something obstruction it. Would leaves get in there?

 

Not sure, don't think so. Put a lot of hot miles on her this weekend with the fans on full speed, but noise started toward then end.

 

Sounds to me like the fan blades clipping the housing. E28 BMWs make a similar noise when the bearings wear and allow the fan to dip. They usually shut up once the fan blades/housing wears enough, although by that point you're likely to be thoroughly narked off with the noise, and it will almost certainly be knackered. Common problem on those cars, not sure about Zs, but certainly sounds similar.

 

I get what you are saying, guess I'll have to have a look at them.

 

Anyone knows easiest way to get to the cabin fans?

 

Mex

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Anyone knows easiest way to get to the cabin fans?

 

Mex

 

 

Easy job, passenger side behind the glove box area, take a look at the picture below, it shows the fan and the fixings as if the glove box lid was removed. ( will look slightly different as that is a lhd zed )

 

You do not need to remove it to get to the fan and its fixings, but makes it easier, there is a duct pipe that can be removed to help, look up from the passenger foot well and you will see it.

 

Second picture shows what the fan looks like when removed.

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff

Edited August 14, 20178 yr by JeffTT

Amazing Jeff, thank you.

 

Will give it a go at the weekend, or maybe one evening as I want to drive it more and more before it disappears for winter.

 

Mex

I have a similar noise too!

When I press the auto & then press econ button the noise goes!

I have a similar noise too!

When I press the auto & then press econ button the noise goes!

 

That will be the ac compressor, it switched on in auto and off in econ.

 

 

Jeff

Hi Jeff, seems to be a spot on diagnostic.

Looking at the compressor aspect!

Not a DIY job?

Replace it? Can it be repaired ?

Could it be a regas problem first?

The ac compressor can be noisy when low on gas / lubricant. The pressure however must be still high enough to activate but the gas content could be poor, also this would suggest there is no leaks and a vacuum and regas with added oil would be the best first option.

 

If however the compressor is still noisy a good second hand one are around £65 or get your own refurbished for maybe a bit more than double that.

 

Either way the unit is a diy swap job but needs some patience to gather it right.

 

Good luck with a regas.

 

Jeff

My AC has been deleted, so wonder how that affects it?

 

Been too busy and not checked what you mentioned above, but weather dependant, I might rip that out this weekend. I will check the Auto/Econ buttons too.

 

Mex