Is this NORMAL? or bad Fan Clutch?

[91FairladyTT]

Can someone tell me if this is the fan clutch? I have been searching for an answer but I'm just not sure if I have the same thing going on... So it's usually only in first and second gear sometimes in third that I hear a loud fan noise (bus,jet,semi,etc. I have seen described as) the noise follows the rpms and seems to stop in third to fourth gear and the thing is it isn't everytime I hear it. About 90% of the time I do but sometimes there isn't the loud fan noise when I take off in first and second?? Also I keep an eye on the temp gauge and it seems to stay right in the middle no over heating or over cooling. I spun the fan when engine is off and hot and it spins but stops as soon as you remove your hand no free spinning and it's exactly the same this morning with the engine off and cold. Is it supposed to keep spinning by it's self atleast a little bit? It's not so tight that it feels locked up or anything so im not sure if it needs to be replaced. Also the guy gave me a new radiator with an electric fan attached to it that he never installed. Does this replace the fan/fan clutch once the new radiator is installed? Or would both fans be there. For all I know this might just be a normal loud fan on the car but I'm just not sure, this is my first Z and I'm not to experienced with them. 

[BigTDogg (MA)]

fan clutch is shot. Inspect the fan for cracks as well when replacing.

[91FairladyTT]

Does the radiator with attached electric fan replace this oem fan and fan clutch? Or would both fans be in there and I still need a fan clutch?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

The fan in front of the radiator is the AC condenser fan, and completely separate from the engine cooling fan. You still need a fan clutch. It should spin freely for at least one revolution when the engine is cold.

[91FairladyTT]

I wasn't talking about the AC fan, the guy gave me a new radiator with an electric fan attached to it that has some manual controller to wire into it.

I went and started it this morning and the loud fan was on as soon as I started the car. I let it idle a little bit and stayed on, I reved it a tiny bit then the fan quited up and I didn't hear it the whole drive to work... But it is a nice cool morning probly mid 60's and during the day it's been high 70's-mid 80's... So not even that hot, I would hate to hear it on a 100 degree day if this is normal... I really don't want this thing to fail and cause further problems. So that being said sould I go and buy one? Does it need to be changed ASAP? I need to go get smog done will this affect the smog test at all?

And I have been driving since this morning and I have heard it now that the day has warmed up. It also makes the fan noise when I down shift coming up to a stop light or something.

[91FairladyTT]

Now that I took a closer look at the fan and fan clutch it looks like the plastic blade is pretty new same with the metal of the fan clutch, so I'm thinking he may have put a non oem fan clutch in it and that is what's causing the loud noise? The blade has a Nissan sticker on it so that looks oem. No cracks.


Here is a pic of the radiator/fan I don't see any brand name or anything on it so it's probly just a crap one.


Also there is a high performance thermostat that he gave me. Is there any reason I should put that in? The engine is pretty stock.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

That's not an OEM rad fan. That's a garbage electric fan set up. Electric fans can work on TTs, but you need a shroud with it. The Taurus SHO fan is the only one I've known of to work.

I don't trust that thermostat, is there any branding or manufacturer info on the box?

[91FairladyTT]

No branding on either... Guess I wont mess with them.
Thanks for the advice.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Yeah, don't mean to shoot down the set up, but electric fans on TTs are finicky, trying to save you some headache. Do you have the OEM white fan and fan shroud in there now, or is that the radiator and fan that's in there?