Should I be worried about this? I can't tell if its just the paint on the fan chipping/ fracturing or if the actual metal part is cracking.

 

I would get that looked at by an expert either a dealer, or very good indy, at least for a visual if not xray analysis.

Doesn't look good to me and I'd be leery of even driving it.

 

They'd probably play it safe and advise replacement when that may not be necessary.

I'd have a NDT lab look at it, if cost effective.

 

Looks like a fracture in the casting. Try probing with a needle to see how deep it goes. Based on that photo it needs replacing and I too would not drive the car.

Did you notice it by accident or was there a noise coming from the engine bay?

 

Did you also notice the crack on the blade to the right? Hard to tell but maybe just paint there.

 

A good NDI lab should be able to tell you how bad the crack is by performing either a Dye Penetrate or a Magnetic Particle test. The Dye Penetrate could be performed on the car since they will first clean the area, apply the red dye with a dwell time, clean it again and apply the developer. The width of red against the developer will tell how deep the crack goes. The fans look like they are cast and susceptible to stress cracking if outside pressure has been applied against the blade at sometime during maintenance. I would be reluctant to drive it in this state.

 

Mine did that and like yours I couldn't tell how deep the cracks went. Its magnesium so I don't know how strong it is—I just got visions of a lumpy rear deck lid so I got another fan

 

If you have to replace the fan, save it and send to Adreas. He has a few tricks up his sleeve

 

I've got visions of the blade leaving the confines of the car and hitting something fleshy on the sidewalk.... Death by 911 engine fan; what a way to go!

 

there are a few other places on the fan with hairline cracks and paint chips, which I think are relatively minor and it probably is just the paint crack and not the metal part.

uh oh, I would have to drive the car to the mechanics at least, hope I don't hurt anyone on the way I was just checking oil level ( which I just found the gauge is not as accurate as before, have to look into that also -.-) and was just looking around the back to see if there are oil leaked anywhere and noticed this. Thank god there's no suspicious noise yet...

NDT lab sounds fancy! I did a quick search for one around LA and couldn't find one. If cost effective? I have a feeling it is going to cost more than just replacing. The fan cost $469 from pelican it seems plus labor at the mechanics... probably more worth it just for the peace of mind than sending it to the lab

NDI lab, is that different from NDT lab mentioned by IXLR8? If it could be performed on the car that would be great, since I haven't looked into how to remove the engine fan DIY.

will keep that in mind, thanks

glad to know i'm not the only one . and I could imagine that would not be a pretty sight

Interesting philosophy there

 

NDT, NDI, etc...all under the same umbrella.


How much? No idea...that lab is one floor up in our facility.

 

Halcyon,
In my opinion, the fan is cracked. I've seen this & worse many times.
PM sent.


Andreas

 

Replace it. The fan could probably be welded and balanced, but I would get another if it was me. BTDT.

 

hmmm, I'm going to run to downtown LA porsche to get a quote. wish I could attempt a DIY and order parts from sunset or wherever, but I'm not really in my hometown and I can't do this in a public parking structure xD
Just wondering, when I get it repaired, is there any other maintenance or upgrades / updates that I should consider ?

 

It's probably been like that for years. I'd keep driving.