I am hearing a periodic "tic" noise from the car when the fan (suspecting radiator fan) kicks on. It's significant enough to actually feel in the car, but not dramatically so. I popped the hood to see if I could get a better look, and also see how I could remove various parts to get at the problem. Ugh! So tight, and the front of the car prevents any real access, or even the ability to see what's going on. I suspect the only real way to do any work there is from underneath.

Has anyone had this problem, or removed the front fan on the XE? I would really like to isolate the noise down to it's real source. Then determine how to fix it.

Appreciate anyone who has some experience with this. It is a 2018 25t

Thanks.

 

After further inspection and tinkering, I was able to rotate the fan manually. I am unable to reproduce the "tic" sound rotating the fan. Futhermore, it rotates very smoothly. I am baffled as to what is causing this sound as it only comes on when the cooling starts. I suppose it's possible that my manual rotation is simply not fast or hard enough to create the effect, but I am doubting that the fan is actually involved. I can't tell if there's a pully on it. I guess my inspection will continue.

 

More listening and pulling things apart. It is not front fan related at all. It is in the lower engine area. Since it is still under warranty, it's going to the dealer. Will update when diagnosed and fix applied.

 

The report from the dealer states the following: DURING INSPECTION TECHNICIAN FOUND OIL LEAKING TO A DRIP-REPLACE TIMING COVER BLANKING PLUG.

Not sure why it's replacement would solve the approx 1 second periodic ticking sound (and barely visible engine shake), but it did. I see now, that this kind of leaking is common on the XE.