General brake fans (?)

[Robert M]

This is where I show complete lack of mechanical knowledge, but having read the manual, I thought I'd ask . . . .

'04 2.0 JTD; recently when exiting car of an evening, I've been noticing the sound of a fan. Lasts for about 20 seconds, just about long enough to dash around to the passenger side and open the bonnet for a closer listen . . .

Strange thing is, it seems to be coming from the wheels rather than the engine. Does anyone know if the front brakes have fan-assisted cooling? Couldn't see a fuse for this, so I'm probably way off beam there, any other suggestions for what this fan noise could be?

 

[shrek]

Hi Robert

Although an interesting concept I'm afraid fan cooled brakes aren't fitted. (after saying this someone will probably post a vehicle they are fitted to though). Ventillated discs are fitted which are best described as two discs joined together by fins between them to disperse heat.
The noise will have either have been the engine cooling fan which sometimes carries on after the engine has stopped, or the climate control fan which I have also heard slowing down.

Shrek

 

[poggy]

Hi,

Depending on how cold it was, it could have been the auxillary heating going through it's cool down cycle. The exhaust exits near the wheels doesn't it.

Andy

 

[Robert M]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'm pretty sure it isn't the radiator fan, so the auxilliary heating system sounds the most plausible (especially since I've only recently started to hear it). It doesn't slow down, it stays on at a constant rate and then switches off. Will continue to see if I can track down the source, but it doesn't happen every day and it only lasts about 20 seconds . . .

 

[John_K]

If you've only started hearing it recently it'll be the auxilliary heating system for sure.

 

[Paul L]

My auxilliary heating has kicked in over the last day or so and it is noisy.

Paul

 

[Robert M]

Thanks, Paul, and everyone - at one point I was thinking I'd have to make the pilgrimage to the dealer on this one (especially since I thought I saw some steam/smoke coming out) but I think I believe you guys. The fan noise is accompanied initially by what sounds like a butane gas burner noise, particularily noticable on short journeys (my daily commute is 5 minutes, uphill all the way).

So, pardon my ignorance again, but to settle my mind further, can anyone fill me in a bit more about the auxilliary heating? I had it in my mind that this would be an electrical heater, but I do recall that it was only available on the diesel models - so . . . . does this auxilliary heating system burn diesel?? Cool - although it sounds a bit dangerous to have a little fire lit under the car . . .

 

[Stu DemonD]

Thread now split out and merged with the auxiliary heating!

 

[Paul L]

So, pardon my ignorance again, but to settle my mind further, can anyone fill me in a bit more about the auxilliary heating? I had it in my mind that this would be an electrical heater, but I do recall that it was only available on the diesel models - so . . . . does this auxilliary heating system burn diesel?? Cool - although it sounds a bit dangerous to have a little fire lit under the car . . .

Not sure what Stu's thread message meant but anyway. There is an auxilliary heater fitted to many Diesel engines. It is an electrically ignited diesel heater that heats the water in the engine jacket bringing the engine up to temperature much quicker on a cold day. The Fiat et al has it mounted under the car, my old X5 had it mounted in the engine bay. PSA fit the Thermo Top if you want to search the net for more info. These things are all over the place including minibuses for additional cabin heating. What I am after is the extra bit of wiring to allow you to utilise the heater to heat the car interior on a cold morning. It is very common in Europe as an extra but seems not in UK. These heaters are not unique to diesel there is a petrol version but I don't think they are used as often in this application.

Don't worry about it....just think warm engine means quicker heating up of your car interior when the frost is on the ground!!!

Paul

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hi Paul!

What I did was to split this thread; it seemed to be going off-topic away from 'brake fans' and more towards 'auxiliary heaters', so I moved those relevant posts to that thread - will make sense in a few months when we all come searching for old posts. FOR now we can continue on this one, then I will tidy it up again......

Ah, so what you are saying is that we don't need the heater, because already there. Just a question of finding the right part to utilise it.

I will have another look in the ePER, it is working now if you look in HINTS N TIPS sticky.

Stu

 

[poggy]

Hi,

I think the Thermotop used in the Ulysse doesn't have the circulating pump in it. It relies on the engine water pump circulating the coolant. You would need to add this and a small additional exhaust silencer to get it to work. It is then just a case of adding a switch to turn it on. I think that currently it gets the 12V switch supply from the Alternator sensing, you could just bypass with your own 12v supply to the Thermotop.

I am guessing a bit though and comparing it to my Land Rover so you would need to check it out.

Andy

 

[Paul L]

Hi,

I think the Thermotop used in the Ulysse doesn't have the circulating pump in it. It relies on the engine water pump circulating the coolant. You would need to add this and a small additional exhaust silencer to get it to work. It is then just a case of adding a switch to turn it on. I think that currently it gets the 12V switch supply from the Alternator sensing, you could just bypass with your own 12v supply to the Thermotop.

I am guessing a bit though and comparing it to my Land Rover so you would need to check it out.

Andy

You have me thinking about the pump, I did thought it had one or when the heater is running when the engine is off there is no where for the water to go. I did find the details of the heater wiring etc in 6015.

If it does have a pump I can't see how it can be difficult to use it as a cold morning cabin heater. When I get the car in my friends garage on the ramps yet again to grind some more off the towbar as the exhaust still bangs on it I will have a good look at the heater.

You quote an exhause silencer, it does have one. When the unit stays on after the engine is switched off it is not too noisy.

Regards
Paul

 

[Paul L]

Hi Paul!

What I did was to split this thread; it seemed to be going off-topic away from 'brake fans' and more towards 'auxiliary heaters', so I moved those relevant posts to that thread - will make sense in a few months when we all come searching for old posts. FOR now we can continue on this one, then I will tidy it up again......

Ah, so what you are saying is that we don't need the heater, because already there. Just a question of finding the right part to utilise it.

I will have another look in the ePER, it is working now if you look in HINTS N TIPS sticky.

Stu

Oops sorry, I got the idea as I read down the forum but had posted a reply by then!!

Paul