Loud whirling fan noise...

[DeanLinAZ]

Your video sounds like the electric cooling fan kicking in. I and my X5 live in the Phoenix area and our X5 and the precious 535i both acted the same as yours when the cars were started after being driven when the weather was warm (read hot), even when they are/were sitting in the garage. On both cars the electric fan would shut down after a few seconds and things would be quiet. The electric fan is thermostatically controlled and will kick in when the coolant temperature reaches a certain threshold. Your X5 could have a faulty thermostat which would be a warranty replacement item.

Good luck!

[soldmystang]

i would think leaving NYC wouldn't really require an explanation....

just had the same issue with the wife's E90 328. high speed fan is on almost constantly. dealer replaced thermostat. all better now.

[kthankzbye]

Thank you, guys! I do appreciate the help. At least I know it's nothing like that fan-radiator exploding thing I searched up.

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by kthankzbye

Thank you, guys! I do appreciate the help. At least I know it's nothing like that fan-radiator exploding thing I searched up.

the top of BMW radiators have been blowing up for 20 years. you will never see that coming. i had one let go in the garage as i stood there drinking a beer. freaked my ass out big time.

[m5james]

Are you sure the fan clutch hasn't seized up? Start the truck, use your hand or a newspaper and see if you can stop the mechanic fan from spinning. I've seen a handful of pics over the years where the fan clutch seized, then the centrifugal force on the blades caused them to break, taking out just about anything in their way...from hoses, plastic shrouds to large dents/holes in the hood and/or fender.

[kthankzbye]

Finally got the car back from the dealer and they replaced the water pump and did a coolant flush. All fixed!

Thanks for the help!

[ard]

Drive there or tow??????

[kthankzbye]

I got it towed, didn't want to risk it.

[DeePee]

that's the same exact thing happened to my 07 X5 3.0si last saturday (6/4/11). I have almost 55K miles on it. A loud whirling noise came up slowly upon starting the SAV and gets louder when you drive especially upon revving up to 3000 rpm. No control message or warnings came up. The whirling noise (and I agree it's from the aux fan) was so loud that even the car next to me in a traffic were looking at my SAV. I was on my way home when the control message showed "engine temp is high, drive moderately, etc." I stopped the car and turned it off for 20 minutes. I decided to continue driving (i still have 13 miles to go) and upon exiting the freeway (less than 2 miles from my house), the power was decreasing even with gas pedal pressed and the control message came up with "engine overheated, turned off vehicle, etc." So I did and waited for 15 minutes. I was able to start the car and reached home. The car sits in the garage for a day waiting for monday for a tow truck to bring it to my indy mechanic (an indy euro car specialist). Any ideas on the issues behind that continuously on fan making a loud, high speed sound?

[kthankzbye]

It can be either the thermostat or a water pump failure. Does the fan turn on instantly after it has sat in the driveway for a day? If it does, it sounds like my problem.