Citroen Relay 2.2 2012 Cooling Fans

[TLH]

Hi All,

I have a Citroen Relay 2.2 2012 (No AC). I believe this is a Ford engine (PUMA).

I am trying to diagnose and rectify an issue with my cooling fans and general engine temperature. Since owning the van i've never heard the cooling fans run, but it's never concerned me as the engine temperature gauge is always running around the middle mark of the gauge. More recently, we've been finding the engine is getting very very hot when driving, to the point we've had steam come out of the bonnet on the driver side and you can't touch metalwork surrounding the engine.
I have begun to look into the cooling system and have replaced the main fan unit (mainly as the old one was all gunked up due to oil leak).
I wondered if anybody could suggest any other bits to check whilst i'm going through things.

My next task is going to be to replace the Coolant Temperature Sensor. I believe this may be faulty because when I remove the plug, the fans kick in. My next question is whether I need to drain the coolant system to change this sensor?
I've checked all relays and fuses, and we seem good there.
I'm getting no lights on the dash, apart from a P15be and P15be p every so often. I believe this relates to the DPF.

Any advice would be most appreciated! Apologies if this is really simple, i'm happy to get my hands dirty but i'm no mechanic! It seems most garages are booked up for the next 4weeks!

Thanks,
Tom

[Paul-R]

If the fan was seized and was then triggered to operate then it quite likely has blown a fuse. I have no knowledge of the electrics on your vehicle but on other PSA cars I have found that it's a maxi-fuse that has blown and these are hidden away a bit and supposedly a dealer only job to change.

[TLH]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the reply. A quick check would suggest that all is good with regards to fuses and power etc.

Whilst on ignition I have removed the sensor plug and tested at the fans, I get power to both fans. I think my next step is to swap out the Coolant Temp Sensor and see what happens.

Would you know if I need to drain the coolant to replace this sensor or will it just weep and then top it up etc. I have the replacement part here, along with fresh coolant.

Thanks,
Tom

[TLH]

Update - for anybody interested
Drained coolant and replaced sensor. Could have probably done it with the engine cold and quickly. Refilled coolant and did the staged fill as suggested on here, until heaters blew hot. At first the temperature gauge fluctuated a lot, but then settled as the coolant level settled. After taking the van for a run and then letting idle, the fans finally kicked in after 37mins. Whilst driving, I can hear the fans every so often - I think that's solved for now