Technical overheating issue in traffic

[petebarchetta]

hello all,

i own a 54 plate panda dynamic just coming up to 29k on the clock, recently i have been experiencing overheating in traffic the needle gets to the last white division before the orange area, so its nearly vertical if that makes sense. what temperature does the fan kick in?( or area on the temp gauge to listen out for it)
also what would cause the overheating (apart from ambient air temp obviously) as this exhibits the same thing even before the hot weather.
current fix is to sit with the windows down and fans on full to cool engine down, which isnt fun.
are the rad caps prone to going thus loosing pressure?
any suggestions greatly anticipated

 

[doctorchris]

Sounds as though the cooling fan is not operating.
I would suggest you check all the circuitry, this includes the temperature sensor, fuse, fan motor, wiring, any relays etc.
Sorry but I can't give you a flow diagram as to exactly how to perform these checks, maybe someone with more experience will come along.

 

[harry monk]

Have you changed the coolant recently? if so, it could be an air lock. If not possibly a blown fuse.
I'd do the checks the Doc said first tho

 

[james_f]

Sorry to hear about this, the same happened with my Panda, and it needed a new radiator fan. Dealer fitted = c.£130 as I recall, but an easy DIY fix if you feel that's the problem (I am assuming the fan isn't kicking in as the engine temp rises).

Given that summer is more or less here (or have we had it already now ) it would be worth doing sooner rather than later I'd say.

Good luck

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

The fan should kick in just past the half way point on the thermometer. Certainly sounds like yours is not doing this.

Check fluid levels (as suggested above) -- if you have the reservoir on the side of the radiator itself, it can be tricky to do this - but one way to make it easier was outlined here: https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/176180-anti-freeze-2.html?p=2319655. If the tank is mounted high up on the driver's side wing, then you can easily see the level through the side of the tank.

If coolant level is OK, something else to check is that there's not air locked in the system (although trapped air usually ends up causing probs with the heater, rather than the rad) -- if your heater's not blowing hot air, then see here: https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/229229-heater-problems.html?p=2426485 [edit: re-read your post, and clearly your heater is working]

If these are OK, then four options in order of increasing cost:

• temperature sensor on the radiator (by the way, check the wires to that are properly plugged in and haven't broken where they meet the plug) [Note- unlike older cars, this is an electronic sender, not a thermostatically-operated switch so harder to test]
• the thermostat on the engine plumbing (to test this, start the car cold and feel the radiator hose by the battery. This should be cool. As the car runs and warms up, the thermostat will operate after 3-4 mins with the engine idling, and this hose should then become hot to touch.)
• the fan on the radiator itself. Could test this by removing the plug and applying 12v but mind your fingers! Maybe best to remove from the car before trying this.
• or the water pump in the engine block, powered by the timing belt and pretty hard to check without taking things to pieces.

Pete

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Cooling fan is CAN operated iirc.

Run a live diagnostics if you have the kit and check coolant temp is being recorded etc

 

[greyridertoo]

hello all,

i own a 54 plate panda dynamic just coming up to 29k on the clock.....

No offence, but how come you're not in the classic forum then? Where's the mods when you actually need one?

 

[udtrev]

No offence, but how come you're not in the classic forum then? Where's the mods when you actually need one?

Ahem, a 54 plate is not he classic panda, the OP has the correct section.

It's amazing how long the wee beastie has been around

 

[greyridertoo]

Ahem, a 54 plate is not he classic panda, the OP has the correct section.

It's amazing how long the wee beastie has been around

Too early in the day for me to get the dates right (Doh!)

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Too early in the day for me to get the dates right (Doh!)

Panda's didn't even exist in 1954

mk1 1980-1987
mk2 1987-2003
mk3 2003-present

 

[greyridertoo]

I didn't say that I thought it was a 1954 vehicle. I did misread the post, however.

 

[udtrev]

Hey Jon

You got competiton for speed reading

Hmmmmmmmm thinking what I am thinking Jon ? :devil:

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I didn't say that I thought it was a 1954 vehicle. I did misread the post, however.

What did you think it was then if you saw 54 and thoughts it was a classic panda

I'm confused

 

[greyridertoo]

I have no idea now what I thought at the time, other than thinking it was a classic and suggesting it was in the wrong forum. Why? As I said, I obviously misread; I tend to look in the forum early before heading out. Why do I need to justify my error to you?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Why do I need to justify my error to you?

You don't.

I was just curious.

 

[sludgeguts]

OP not come back to let us know whats happening.
OP, if the fan does work & you need a temp fix - if the fuse is still OK, why not tap off this & run a feed to a switch & from the switch to the fan then as the temp approaches a reasonable point, flick the switch.
It's only a temp workaround but will get you through the hot weather until you get time to sort out the problem

 

[petebarchetta]

Unfortunately Its still doing it but have notbeen stuck in traffic again until today when it exibited it's symptoms again. I'll look again at it tomorrow and check the fuses and stuff

 

[petebarchetta]

Unfortunately after further investigation it appears to be the more expensive fault, it appears that the sensor is working as the temp gauge reads correct. There is no air locks in the system and fuse and relay are fine. The fan if all things had seized and will not turn by hand. So it's the painful £130 sting from fiat unless I go polish and get it straight from manafacturers for £30 ish plus overnight shipping so will let you guys know how I do.
It might be worth you lot spinning the fan by hand to check as the bearings may be prone to seizing

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Unfortunately after further investigation it appears to be the more expensive fault, it appears that the sensor is working as the temp gauge reads correct. There is no air locks in the system and fuse and relay are fine. The fan if all things had seized and will not turn by hand. So it's the painful £130 sting from fiat unless I go polish and get it straight from manafacturers for £30 ish plus overnight shipping so will let you guys know how I do.
It might be worth you lot spinning the fan by hand to check as the bearings may be prone to seizing

Right, its definatly the motor thats seized, and not the fan blades jammed with a stone or something wedged in it?

Have you checked eBay, I know that there is a motor for sale on there which would be alot cheaper than replacing the whole thing if you swap just the motor.

Jon.

 

[petebarchetta]

Definitley the fan, after a generous helping of wd40 it's now more freely moving but still very stubborn, have checked eBay and no luck as both fans are aircon units which won't fit so it's off to fiat I go