If your VW Bug is making a strange whistling noise from the radiator, you’re probably suffering from a drying or shifted fan. The easiest way to diagnose the noise is to open the ventilation circuit and look for the problem. Lubricating the fan will also help minimize the whistling noise, but replacing it is likely the best solution. If you’ve tried all of these methods but are still hearing the noise, the only other option left is to get it fixed.
Thinner fan inside wider doghouse shroud
A thin fan installed inside the doghouse shroud of a VW bug is no longer a valid choice. Despite its wider size, the fan is still too narrow to operate effectively. The earlier thinner fan was installed inside the shroud, which is designed for a wider fan. The later fan pumps out ten percent more air while maintaining a higher air flow. It will not run as efficiently, but will keep the car cool.
The narrower fan in the non-doghouse VW bug was a poor choice because it didn’t blow enough air. The narrow fan was designed to run with an engine of 1300cc and 44hp. By the time the 1600 was introduced, it was producing 53HP. VW engineers realized this problem and came up with the idea of installing slotted engine lids. These were designed to serve as a temporary fix until a larger doghouse fan system was ready. But they’re still significantly less efficient than a proper doghouse fan.
Oil cooler air channels get less air than it needs
If you’ve ever driven a VW Bug, you’ve heard the whine of its fan shroud. The problem is that the fan is designed to cool an engine with a 1300 horsepower engine, and that thinner fan blows less air than the wider, more powerful version. That worked fine for a 44-hp engine, but not so much for a 53-hp 1500 or 58-hp 1600. VW engineers realised this and introduced slotted engine lids to plug the hole until a larger fan could be installed. This didn’t work, as the fan blows less air than the proper doghouse fan system.
The air channel for the oil cooler is located in the front of the fan shroud, close to the main air inlet. If the air channels aren’t getting enough air, the fan will run at a lower RPM and make a noise. That’s why you’ll often hear a whine in the oil cooler when the fan is running.
Clicking noise from heater fan
If you notice that your Volkswagen Bug is making a clicking noise from the heater fan, you should visit your mechanic to have it looked at. This noise is usually caused by an obstructed duct or a foreign body. The noise should increase as the flow of air increases, and you will need to open the air conduit to find the foreign object. If you are unable to locate the foreign body, you may need to replace the fan.
If you notice the fan running full blast, it may be because of something on the surface it is close to. It could be an engine that’s generating unwanted resistance. You can check to see if there are any other components or parts that are causing this issue. You can also check to see if your heater fan has an outlet for a wire. You should also check the voltage of the heater fan to make sure that it’s working properly.
Problems with connecting rod
If you’re hearing an odd sound coming from your VW bug’s fan shroud, you may be experiencing problems with your engine’s connecting rod. These problems are often caused by misaligned spark plugs and improper ignition timing. Fortunately, there are ways to identify the root cause of these annoying noises and fix them yourself. First, determine whether your engine is running smoothly. Make sure that you know which spark plugs are causing the noise, and replace them.
