Knocking at front of van - intermittent

[cyphrsbird]

I have an intermittent knocking from the front of the van....happens usually after a long journey, the van doesnt overheat but starts to smell "rubber hosey" then this hellish knocking starts, if I cut the engine it continues for about 30 seconds then stops. When I restart the van the problem is gone. Am thinking....could this be a radiator fan? If so can I just replace the fan or am I looking at a new radiator? And how easy is it to do?

I have no steering problems, and the noise is definately not coming from the wheels, it seems to be coming from under the grill.

[windysurfer]

check the spare wheel is not fouling the fan

[toomanytoys]

Mmm.. does sound like a potential fan problem...
drop the spare wheel and reach up and spin the fan by hand... could be something stuck in it... or the housing has had a clunk at some time...

[cyphrsbird]

thanks I will try these once I get back from pilton

[cyphrsbird]

Dropped the wheel today to see if the knocking was caused by the fan...it isnt...the fan is ok, spins freely , its not bent up and there is nothing fouling it. Found that the source of the problem is actually the radiator moving because one of the support brackets is rusted through and the other is probably going to follow suit so I need to replace them. Just had a look on brickwerks and jk but i cant see the part I need.

Any ideas as to where I can get these from...and also the proper name for them as I feel I may just be typing the wrong thing in the search engines.

Many thanks

[kevtherev]

VW part No
025 121 359
and 025 121 360

called a retainer and they are 'handed'

[cyphrsbird]

thanks Kev