Rattle from fan housing...help

Post by **dingle** » 25 Sep 2007, 19:34

Right then...I think ive stuffed my van, ive only had it a couple of days!!!! and i am hoping that it isn't terminal.
Took it out for a spin and started fine drove fine etc and i was in seventh heaven....then going up a hill in second i stalled it to the point it kangaroo hopped. After cursing a wee bit. Started the van and the during run up to the house heard a rattle sounded like something had come loose and was catching the floor but it disappeared. (Later checked and nothing was hanging off)
Anyway back at the house took the deck off and revved the engine......all seemed fine...let off the revs ....revved it again and it came back seemed to be coming from the fan housing like a bolt/bit of metal was getting pinged about in there, and im not sure if it caught and got catapulted by the fan. Still starts ok though and engine seems ok but i don''t want to keep trying as i might cause more damage.
So appologies for the ramble but i feel sick as the preverbial. Anybody have any ideas? Is there any bits that can come loose in the fan housing and cause the problem?Could the shock of stalling set something loose and any ideas as to what it could be? Anyone else experianced this? Finally can i take the housing off while the engine is in?
By the way its a 1980, ac, westy
Thanks in advance any thoughts would be most appreciated.
Dingle

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 25 Sep 2007, 21:36

Doesnt sound terminal so wouldnt worry too much but it would be nice to get it sorted. Try shining a light source into the fan area and see if you can spot anything down in the fan housing below the fan itself.
Not sure if fan can be removed while engine is in place but it is held on with three bolts that can be accessed through the number plate hinged area if need be. Only problem may be the tinware surrounding the fan, could be in the way. Try waving a magnetic pick-up tool through the fan itself to see if it picks anything up. If its a constant rattling at a particular RPM then I would think its just loose tinware and to check all bolts etc around that area.
Hope this helps.

Post by **dingle** » 25 Sep 2007, 21:58

many thanks for the reply.
The sound does come and go and certainly not related to gears as you can hear it in neutral. But I will investigate tomorrow ... happened just as it was getting dusk so couldn't really do anything. But at least i feel a tad better now!
Still getting used to the lefty set up which is why i stalled it ....paying to much attention to not hitting double parked cars!!!
Thanks once agaian
dingle

Post by **ermie571** » 26 Sep 2007, 08:17

Dingle,

I found that it was quite easy to get to the fan housing on my old a/c...

You do need to remove the tin ware, so go slowly, keep all the screws, have the wd40 to soak any stubborn ones, and look carefully underneath the engine and note where all the tinware and pipes go.

From memmory, as you are gazing lovingly into the engine bay, start with the small screw that holds the plastic "side to side" tube to the piece of metal tube on the left hand side (its on top of the pipe). After undoing all the screw that hold this piece of plastic in, a few wiggles and it releases; this leaves alot of space to work in.

The plastic fan cover is held on with three screws......then you can see the fan and check for damage etc.,......if you have a big chunk out of a blade, or one is very bent....then sommat has hit it! (Guess who had a knackered blade and had to source a second hand fan.....)

If I can do it, its pretty easy. Finding a replacement fan may not be so easy!

Good luck,
Emma

Post by **dingle** » 26 Sep 2007, 15:17

Cheers emma, Just about to have a look hopefully its not serious...thanks again..Dingle

Post by **dingle** » 26 Sep 2007, 20:19

Thanks for the replies..
Well having had a look at it (started her up and the rattle was there) took the fan gaurd off and found two bits of plastic (one a little cylinder type slug about 12mm long and the other looks like a bit of housing. The bigger bit had managed to get caught in the fins of the fan so i could pull it out. Luckily it had not damaged the fan!!!
What i think happened is the bits were in the bottom of the tinwear next to the underside of the gaurd. This happed to hav a big gap there and when the engine juddered threw the bits into the fan.
Started her up a few times now and nothing just that god old Aircooled sound no rattle!!
So the moral of the story keep the engine bay clear!!!
Thanks again!
Dingle..
PS more good news ..i managed to get my eber working!!!!

Post by **VWCamperfan** » 26 Sep 2007, 22:24

Sounds like you're on a bit of a run there... Well done!