My Punto 60S is making a strange groaning/whining type noise. Thought it might be a cam belt drive bearing but garage thinks the radiator ccoling fan motor (bearings?) may be knackered and have suggested a new fan motor. Has anyone else had this fault? And why would the fan motor be running during a normal cruise at 50mph anyway. Is the cooling system knackered completely? The coolant level is fine and the water pump is NOT leaking but the engine compartment does seem rather hot after a shortish journey. Air lock perhaps. The auto fan does cut in correctly at a standstill.
The garage have carried out a Block Test to check out the Head Gasket but that is absolutely fine thank goodness. But why would the fan motor run during normal cruise speeds anyway. The car is overheating perhaps? The temp warning light has never been on! Has anyone else experienced radiator cooling fan motor faults. Should I get the coolant system bled for airlocks and refilled??
Any advice or thoughts anyone please!!

My engine cooling fan dosn't warble or groan, but it does squeak when rotating at low speed. The air pressure at the front of the car cuases the fan to turn slowly and squeak and (quel surprise!) mine starts to squeak at .... about 50mph!

If it's just a noisy bearing, then indeed it might just be the fan that needs (?) replacing. Dunno.

I just live with my squeak!

Here come da judge...

Can we get more details on Block Test of Head Gasket, please?

No combustion gases detected in the coolant by the litmus test. The vehicle is NOT losing water. No visible contamination of the oil on the bottom of the oil filler cap.

Also: heard the radiator fan cut in this morning as I deliberately let the car run at a standstill on arriving at work. The fan starts to run, but the motor makes a really loud scrapey squealing sound.
It`s not the cam belt or alternator because the noise continues even with the engine stopped until the fan stops running.

Yeah I've had this problem. It was that the bearing had gone on the fan. Eventually it packed up completely whilst in a traffic jam and overheated, nice!! Garage got it sorted for not a lot of money.