After-market Cooling fans LCR, advise pls

[Vin-R]

Hi Guys,

As per a previous thread, I have had my cooling fans, and the fan ecu unit changed. Since theyve been changed, Ive noticed that whenever the fans come on (with or without aircon), it causes vibration through the car and steering wheel. I never noticed this before they were fitted. This raised some alarm bells!!

So I got back to the garage that fitted the fans and control unit, and they said the fans were fron EUROCARPARTS.

Now, I then took the car after work today to a specialst VW place, and straight away, he said theres your problem. "aftermarket fans, and when u dont use the geniune parts" they can be different...

What i wanted to ask you guys is, is that it true that non-genuine parts would not be as good/worse than the originals


Whats your take on it guys

Thanks in advance

 

[Vin-R]

QUESTION!!

Why is it that no one can help/be bothered to help me on this subject, yet when some newbie types "ANYTHING" to do with DUMP VALVES or BLOW OFF VALVES, they get endless replies straight away ???

BEATS ME!

 

[BoomhaueR]

I feel your frustration. Like you I've been trying to get info about these fans for months. Still no joy.

In some cases like coil packs the genuine ones are much much better. I think (don't quote me on this though) that the fans are the same story. When I get round to replacing mine I want genuine ones as I've heard a few cases of attempted cheap fixes that have failed (yours included).

 

[Vin-R]

Exactly mate thankyou!! I know its soo annoying that dump valve and induction kit post still get answers to, despite there being a MASSSIVE HUGE amount of posts up if you use the search.

I personally would recommend genuine fans as mine are from eurocarparts, and every time they come on, you can feel vibration right through the car!! its so annoying. and when go off the vibration goes. AND when u switch the aircon on, car really vibrates. SO when i get some more cash together Im buying genuine ones ...

Hey use hte search for LCR FANS, or something along them lines as im sure i put something up about this ages ago. i know other ppl have

 

[Pabs]

I've always used genuine parts, as the pattern copies are cr*p in most cases. Same with anything you buy these days, you get what you pay for.

 

[andy_w]

Some times pattern parts can be as good or even the same as original. I had a engine mount for my Golf and it just had the VW part number ground off. But other times the pattern parts can be inferior catalysts are a great example off this. If I remember from your previous posts the fans were not at fault so could you refit old fans if you don't like the vibrations off the new ones?

Andy

 

[LEE69]

Do they share the same mounts?
Did the genuine fans have removable "anti-vibration" rubbers (thinking aloud now) that were not removed?

 

[DannyC87]

I was just going to say the same lee - get some rubber grommet type mounts to stop the vibration; if the fans are solid mounted they will vibrate

 

[Muttley]

Vin-R wrote

QUESTION!!

Why is it that no one can help/be bothered to help me on this subject, yet when some newbie types "ANYTHING" to do with DUMP VALVES or BLOW OFF VALVES, they get endless replies straight away ???

Because nobody else on the forum has hit the same kind of problem you have had with your fans? Which, by the way, is a balance issue.

Interestingly, the Eurocarparts website does not list any fans for Leons. or Golfs for that matter.

In most cases a non-branded spare will be of inferior quality to a VAG item. The real question is, does it matter. You have found a case where it does. You generally get what you pay for. This is so obvious that many would not bother to comment on it.

Why did the first garage fit non-genuine fans? Do you have any scope for a complaint?

Your fan blades are not balanced, and like an out-of-balance tyre, will shake the whole fan unit as they are spun. If you can get the fan off you could try balancing it with weights stuck to the blades. The smaller of my fans has a spring clip on one blade about 2/3 of the way out - it isn't there by accident.

The fans have to be rigidly mounted as they run close to the radiator shroud.

 

[andycupra]

there are loads of people that have some knowledge regarding dump valves. there are lots of threads and discussions which is self perpetuating.

not many people have had fan issues, (yes i know a fair few but not loads) and so there are not so many people qualified to comment.

I think you have answered your own question... you have fitted aftermarket fans, and they shake the car. so it would appear they are not as good. or at least not balanced.
ALthough id say that usually aftermarket parts are usually ok. (unless rediculously cheap). But buying genuine does give you more comeback.

the genuine radiators and fans are mounted via rubber 4 rubber fitments in the front slam panel. have these all still in place and not missing or broken?

when the fans come on, is it just the fast speed?

 

[cuprabod]

I Had mine replaced with genuine seat parts,no problems with them and two years guarantee,i dont do after market parts,not worth it, imo

 

[Willie]

As above
The main issue people have had with these fans is the resistor failing.
There has been a few guys replacing the whole unit, but with genuine part, with no problems.
You have answered your own question as before the fans didn't vibrate the car and now the new inferior ones do.

 

[J0N]

QUESTION!!

Why is it that no one can help/be bothered to help me on this subject, yet when some newbie types "ANYTHING" to do with DUMP VALVES or BLOW OFF VALVES, they get endless replies straight away ???

BEATS ME!

This is the first time I've seen this thread, if I'd have seen it sooner I'd have told you straight away that it was a balancing issue because I had the exact same problem. Maybe next time it might be worth giving your thread a 'bump' to the top of the list so people who have'nt logged on for a few days and who maybe have'nt the time to read back very far get to see it. Comments like in the quoted post might not incline people to help you out in the future.

 

[Vin-R]

Hey guys, just wanted to say thanks for your views on this matter.. sorry for getting a bit ratty before, its just that this thread had been up fopr ages... yet no-one had posted on it. But thanks for all your views now. I know there will prob be a diff using aftermarket parts etc. Was on motorway last night and it was so annoying that when the fans come on i could feel vibrations through the car... and u could sorta hear it cutting through the air too...

Question is, what can i do now ?? I still have my standard fans.. but not sure if i do put them back in... theyll work properly?? as i had 2 diff opinions ie the slow speed isnt working/theyre fine??

Hey Jonnyjonjon, IF it is a balancing issue, what need to be done to sort that ont ???? any help would be great. thanks

 

[J0N]

I'm not sure if these can actually be balanced. Mine was cracked all the way across with a piece chipped out and the centifugal force was making it rub against the pipe that connects to two intercoolers. I made a kind of bridge and stuck it to the inside edge of the fan but it made it vibrate terrible because it was, in effect like sticking a balancing weight to it. Your best bet if you want to save a few quid is a specialist breakers yard. A set of LCR twin fans went for about £2.50 on eBay a couple of weeks ago but there was another set on there for £30 + £10 p&p so it's just a matter of luck I'm afraid.

 

[Willie]

I'm not sure if these can actually be balanced. Mine was cracked all the way across with a piece chipped out and the centifugal force was making it rub against the pipe that connects to two intercoolers. I made a kind of bridge and stuck it to the inside edge of the fan but it made it vibrate terrible because it was, in effect like sticking a balancing weight to it. Your best bet if you want to save a few quid is a specialist breakers yard. A set of LCR twin fans went for about £2.50 on eBay a couple of weeks ago but there was another set on there for £30 + £10 p&p so it's just a matter of luck I'm afraid.

But compared to the £250 for new ones £30 is well good

 

[jcborden]

Mine has just been in for this problem. The amazing thing is that I had to take my car to a VAG specialist as the two Seat garages I tried said that there was nothing wrong!

The VAG specialist tried replacing the fan control unit first which did not fix the problem, so put the old one back and replaced the smaller fan - this fixed the problem with the new small fan working on slow speed, but also the larger one now also works on slow speed...

Unfortunately, whilst I have third party warranty it wasn't covered.... what a worthless policy this is turning out to be!!!

 

[Vin-R]

cheers for all the views guys, great help. Its just annoying if you understand, the original ones never used to vibrate and now its just peeing me off...

I still have my original fans of which I was told are still working ... but Im not 100% sure whether they are or not. is there any way i can get them tested to see if they still work without fitting them???...

 

[Ruddmeister]

Firstly why not go back to the garage who fitted the control unit and fans and say you are not happy and that the repair you paid for is substandard? it may after all be an install problem.

Second Have you spoken to Eurocar parts?

You bought an exact replica in good faith, the garage installing and the specialist haven't spotted any install problems so

A - All these sets of fans are sh1t
B - You have a faulty set of fans
C - Mutley is correct in saying '...Interestingly, the Eurocarparts website does not list any fans for Leons. or Golfs for that matter...'

If the answer is (A) i'd be asking Eurocarparts for a refund under the sale of goods act as they are not fit for purpose
If the answer is (B) i'd be asking for a replacement set and ask Eurocar parts where to send the Bill for the labour

Thirdly your a cheeky git for throwing your toys out of your pram 'expecting' people to jump to your help in a particular time frame that suits you

 

[Vin-R]

Erm,

Firstly - "Thirdly your a cheeky git for throwing your toys out of your pram 'expecting' people to jump to your help in a particular time frame that suits you" --- WHATS YOUR PROBLEM mate?? !

Secondly - Eurocarparts DO stock the fans as I rang them myself and checked

Thirdly - Sod it !!! CLOSE the thread if u want MR MODERATOR! whats with the "cheeky git line" ???