Radiator Fan

carpy · Unread post by **carpy** » 03 Jul 2011, 19:10

Hi all, on a 2001 C5 2.0 HDi is there an easy way to check if the radiator fan works, I suspect mine doesn't.
Many thanks.

VertVega · Unread post by **VertVega** » 03 Jul 2011, 19:19

If you have air condition, switch it on and rad fans should start.

carpy · Unread post by **carpy** » 03 Jul 2011, 19:23

Thanks for the reply. From what I can see I only have one fan and if I switch the air con on it does not move. The external temp sensor is currently reading over 100 degrees and I've heard this can affect the working of the air con.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 03 Jul 2011, 20:39

carpy wrote: The external temp sensor is currently reading over 100 degrees

That's warm for North Wales

A high external temperature may cause the fan(s) to run at full speed briefly when the aircon is initially switched on. That's the Xantia behavior.

sifaan · Unread post by **sifaan** » 04 Jul 2011, 03:30

carpy wrote:Thanks for the reply. From what I can see I only have one fan and if I switch the air con on it does not move. The external temp sensor is currently reading over 100 degrees and I've heard this can affect the working of the air con.

from what i've found on c5 tech docs, the high external reading will not stop the AC from turning on; however, if the outside is very cold, the AC should not come on - if it does, you could damage something; so the only consequence of a bad external sensor is that the AC might turn on when it shouldn't.

carpy · Unread post by **carpy** » 04 Jul 2011, 18:25

Is there another way of checking if the fan works that doesn't involve the air con or am I going to have to remove the bumper for a closer look

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 05 Jul 2011, 14:04

Let the engine idle until the temperature gauge is slightly above half-way.
If the fan hasn’t started, idle for another minute or so until the gauge is obviously above normal, then switch off.
That’s the start of overheat, so let cool down with the bonnet open, and the fan is obviously faulty.
Still don’t touch the fan for about 10 minutes, it may change its mind and start spinning even with the key out.

Unread post by **RichardW** » 05 Jul 2011, 15:23

It's an HDi Clogzz - fan cut in point is about 100°C - and it takes an awful long time at idle, even on a hot day, to get there!!

carpy · Unread post by **carpy** » 05 Jul 2011, 21:11

Well I definately know it's not working now!!!! I was driving home from work and the temp gauge was in the middle, next time I looked it was in the red and a 'coolant temp too high' message came up. Stopped the car, opened the bonnet and watched as it boiled through the expansion cap, radiator fan completely unmoved

Interestingly enough the radiator was cold, what's that all about. When it cooled down and was topped up and run again the radiator got hot, dodgy thermostat? Think the head gasket is leaking as well as the expansion tank keeps bubbling over, either that or a bloomin big air lock. Fed up now