[airdale182]

I took my Stingray on its first long drive this weekend -- Jax to Naples -- I got countless thumbs-up from passing cars and bikes -- yes I was going that slow. Anyway, when I arrived down south after five hours of driving I heard what sounds like an electric fan running back behind the cockpit? Same thing when I got home last evening… I had not heard of them having aux fans in the rear area so I'm wondering if anyone can help clear this up for me?

 

[glen e]

http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/stingray-corvette-discussions/1349-z-51-rear-radiators.html

 

[airdale182]

http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/stingray-corvette-discussions/1349-z-51-rear-radiators.html

Not a Z-51.

 

[Redc7]

That is the jet fan just spinning down.

 

[mjw930]

Not a Z-51.

But it is an automatic, correct?

This is the drivers side radiator with fan for the auto trans. The only cars that would not have any radiators back there are base model manuals.

 

[airdale182]

But it is an automatic, correct?

This is the drivers side radiator with fan for the auto trans. The only cars that would not have any radiators back there are base model manuals.

View attachment 1284

Yes, it's an automatic. And this makes a lot of sense. After cruising for 5+ hours she's sure to get a bit warm. Thank you again for the clarification. I'll have to go through the operator's manual again to see if there's a mention of its operation. Thanks again.

 

[glen e]

There is no explanation in the manual.

 

[Chip]

Does anyone know if there is a "over temp" indication if there is a fan failure, or obstructed duct? Also, do you think there is a dedicated warning to indicate this (if it were to happen) within the displays on the dash?

 

[glen e]

Does anyone know if there is a "over temp" indication if there is a fan failure, or obstructed duct? Also, do you think there is a dedicated warning to indicate this (if it were to happen) within the displays on the dash?

99% chance it comes up as a "trans temp alert" if hot....

 

[Zoz]

The fan is for automatics. I watched my Z51 manual get built - no fan behind the driver-side rear wheel, but the differential cooler was installed on the passenger side.

 

[elegant]

The fan is for automatics. I watched my Z51 manual get built - no fan behind the driver-side rear wheel, but the differential cooler was installed on the passenger side.

Thank you Zoz! Glad you have first hand knowledge. Could you please amplify/correct my following understandings:

On your passenger side, you have both a radiator and a fan (for the Z-51 differential cooling);

On the driver side, you have a radiator but no fan. Or do I have it wrong, in that you have neither the radiator, nor the fan on the driver's side.

Thanks for helping us all learn!

 

[mjw930]

I'm pretty sure on manual cars there's no radiator since there's nothing to cool. If you have a radiator you have a fan. I would be curious to know of they even install the duct work on manual cars. Is the vent open to the inside of the fender or is it capped off?


Future Stingray Owner
Current Rides:
2012 Jeep SRT8
2013 Porsche Boxster S
2012 VW CC

 

[airdale182]

Well, be all this as it may, the folks at the dealer or someone on the Corvette team should have made mention of this little detail. I was cruising down I-75 and suddenly I start hearing this fan whine coming from behind me -- I thought I had tire failure or something. I pulled off and gave it a quick inspection and didn't find anything. Then when I restarted the noise went away for a few miles then started up again. It's a detail, but poor information/training is becoming a strike on the wrong side of the ledger for the C7 team.

 

[Chip]

... I was cruising down I-75 and suddenly I start hearing this fan whine coming from behind me -- I thought I had tire failure or something...

So it was the fan that came on @ speed and you heard it? That creates several questions in my mind; Was there an overtemp., and if there was, why, what caused it? I am thinking if you heard it @ interstate speeds it must have been pretty loud, which can't be a good thing.

 

[airdale182]

So it was the fan that came on @ speed and you heard it? That creates several questions in my mind; Was there an overtemp., and if there was, why, what caused it? I am thinking if you heard it @ interstate speeds it must have been pretty loud, which can't be a good thing.

Well, there was certainly no indication of any over temp on the dash gauges. Of course I don't have a clue if there's an indicator for the transmission. It may be just a normal situation sort of like an electric radiator fan kicking in to supplement the ambient air cooling -- maybe not. Unfortunately, without any viable documentation to reference from Chevrolet -- in the form of a good operating handbook -- I'll have to put my trust in the dealer. Whom, by the way I just called, but their Corvette tech was unavailable. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Chip]

This implies that it is a closed system without any airflow from under the car being involved. I suspect like you, I have to wonder why? Especially if a fan is required when the car is at speed. What happens on a hot Fla. day in traffic? Do keep us posted. By the way, I changed the title of your thread to Rear Radiator Fan. I hope that's OK.

 

[airdale182]

Just got off the phone with the dealer. First they thought it may be the fuel pump, but when I said the car was running fine, well then they backed off on that idea?? Actually, it's clear they have no idea -- so I need to find time to take it in and get it diagnosed. I'll keep you all posted.