fiat punto

[foss]

hi
i've a 51 punto and when i switch the engine off the fan still seems to be running any ideas !!!!!
thanks
mick

[buildersmate]

It's a design feature - happens on every modern car. I'm surprised you've never experienced it before. Fan goes off when rad temperature falls enough.

[foss]

does that mean the fan still runs and sounds loud .sorry to sound daft but this is my first car

[foss]

hi thnaks for your answer the fan also seems to come on when doing high speeds and when stuck in traffic .is this right
thanks

[NORMANTHEDOG]

if the fan did not come on and cool down your radiator and engine water,then your engine would possibly seize up or cause a lot of damage,so yes ,it should come on,espeacially in this hot weather

[buildersmate]

Yup - especially in the summer. The fan is independent of the position of the ignition switch - probably about the only bit of kit in a car that is. It goes on and off solely on instruction from the thermostat sitting in the radiator. Too hot then it turns the fan on for a while. Usually stays on a couple of minutes max if the engine is off.
Standard design feature.

[Jackson74]

If your not going are not moving or going at speed, ie: stuck in traffic, the fan will kick in as there is no wind running through your rad/engine to cool down!

[foss]

hi thanks to all who have answered

should i be losing water as well

thanks

[Toureman]

You should have said you were also loosing water when you first asked the question !

None of the helpful answering people were aware of this so they said it is perfectly normal when the fan comes on but it could be coming on because you are loosing water.

You need to check why and where it is loosing water or if it is boiling and the fan is coming on because of the water loss !

[buildersmate]

Quite so, Toureman. All a question of the root cause.
Find out where the water is leaking from and stop that first. Refill with water, THEN see what happens.

[Brooksy]

The ram-air effect (similar to wind chill factor) at high speeds should mean the fan would be unnecessary then. So as the above helpful posts state, you have a cooling system problem.

[david1702198]

irrespective of whether there is a water leak , FIAT's are designed that the fan will still operate even if the engine is switched off. but no you shouldnt be losing water

[Teddio]

It is quite likely your cylinder head gasket has failed.