Need help diagnosing noise from engine

[Geewez]

I need some help diagnosing a loud "clacking" sound from the front of my engine. Last week I started getting a loud clacking noise from the front of the engine. The noise isn't constant in that it seems to cycle on and off. At first I thought it was the AC compressor so I turned off the AC. I thought I had it solved and figured it was the compressor clutch engaging and disengaging. When it was on, the clacking noise was there. But then the noise returned even with the AC off. The noise seem to have gone away but then returned today. I next thought it might be the pulley clutch on the alternator. The clacking sound would cycle on and off. I tried to pin point the noise by listening through a stethoscope but with negative results. Anyone here go through a similar problem? Any suggestions? If it is the alternator, any suggestions as to where to purchase a Marauder specific alternator besides the dealer?

[EMAS]

Remove the belt and then spin all the driven items by hand and also see if they wobble at all.

[RF Overlord]

Last week I started getting a loud clacking noise from the front of the engine. The noise isn't constant in that it seems to cycle on and off. I had the exact same thing last fall...the "ring" around the radiator fan blades had cracked.
When it was on, the clacking noise was there. But then the noise returned even with the AC off.That's because the PCM turns the fan on continuously when the AC is on.

[fastblackmerc]

I had the exact same thing last fall...the "ring" around the radiator fan blades had cracked.That's because the PCM turns the fan on continuously when the AC is on.

+1!

I bet this is your problem.

[lifespeed]

I had problems with the alternator clutched pulley making a rattling noise, but I don't know that your description of the noise is the same as what I experienced. Certainly running the engine (briefly) without the belt can be helpful to diagnose.

[Geewez]

I'll look at the ring around the electric fans when I get home today to see if that's the source of the noise. Removing the belt won't help because the noise isn't constant. It cycles on and off even when the AC is off.

[fastblackmerc]

Could also be the tensioner and or idler pulley bearings.

[ctrlraven]

Do you leave your air on Auto?

[RF Overlord]

Removing the belt won't help because the noise isn't constant. It cycles on and off even when the AC is off.The only thing that cycles when the A/C is off is the fan.

[Geewez]

I had the exact same thing last fall...the "ring" around the radiator fan blades had cracked.That's because the PCM turns the fan on continuously when the AC is on.

Thanks-you are correct and the noise is coming from the fan. I wiggled and spun the fan but didn't see anything broken. Won't know until I pull the fan off the car this weekend. If it's something that isn't repairable, can I substitute an electric fan unit from a Crown Vic?

[RF Overlord]

I wiggled and spun the fan but didn't see anything broken. There's a casting line or seam where the crack occurs. It's very hard to see with the fan installed, but it allows the blades to wobble when spinning and they rub on the shroud.

No one sells just the blades, only the entire assembly, and they're $375 new, so a junkyard would be your best bet. Any '03-'04 CV or GM should work...I'm not sure about newer ones.

[Geewez]

There's a casting line or seam where the crack occurs. It's very hard to see with the fan installed, but it allows the blades to wobble when spinning and they rub on the shroud.

No one sells just the blades, only the entire assembly, and they're $375 new, so a junkyard would be your best bet. Any '03-'04 CV or GM should work...I'm not sure about newer ones.

Thanks RF Overlord. I yanked the fan assembly out this morning and sure enough, the ring was cracked. Found a 2003 CV at a Pick & Pull and picked up the fan for $30. Took care of the noise.

[lji372]

Thanks RF Overlord. I yanked the fan assembly out this morning and sure enough, the ring was cracked. Found a 2003 CV at a Pick & Pull and picked up the fan for $30. Took care of the noise.

Good stuff:banana2:

[Motorhead350]

It could be your radiator fan has cracked. If none of this works, disconnect the power to the fan, run the car and if the noise goes away.

[jwibbity]

Thanks RF Overlord. I yanked the fan assembly out this morning and sure enough, the ring was cracked. Found a 2003 CV at a Pick & Pull and picked up the fan for $30. Took care of the noise.


It could be your radiator fan has cracked. If none of this works, disconnect the power to the fan, run the car and if the noise goes away.

do you even read bruh?!?

[Motorhead350]

do you even read bruh?!?

Ha. So I was right!

[Bluerauder]

There's a casting line or seam where the crack occurs. It's very hard to see with the fan installed, but it allows the blades to wobble when spinning and they rub on the shroud.



No one sells just the blades, only the entire assembly, and they're $375 new, so a junkyard would be your best bet. Any '03-'04 CV or GM should work...I'm not sure about newer ones.


While warming up the car yesterday to take it in for Safety Inspection & Emissions, this Intermitent Clickity-Clickity-Clickity noise started suddenly. Noticed that it only made the sound when the fan cycled on. Looks like the fan blade is wobbling slightly as well. Temp seems to climb higher than normal too. Usually the temp need points to about 20 MPH ... After sitting at a long traffic light in 90+*F temps, the needle drifted as high as 35 MPH then dropped after I started moving again. Fan Assembly will be replaced after we get back from Vacation.