Technical Wobbly fan...

[disgusted]

I have a 2003 Active Sport 1200 8V.

Nice car in Sprint Blue. I've owned it from new, has now covered 80k.


The cooling fan is very wobbly.

Is this a known fault? Maybe the bearing has gone?


Anyhow, easy fix? Will I need a new fan?

Scrapyard or new?

 

[Ziggy122]

Its not a good sign
The fan spins at a high speed and needs to remain balanced

One note
Some punto's have a fan that remains live after engine off (till ECU shuts down)

So be careful, always disconnect the battery to prevent missing fingers

----

replacements
Personally i would go scrappy
Check
A - it spins freely
B - doesn't squeak
C - No damage fins
D - Spin up (test it)

Other notes - the fans are different on punto's, different radiators meaning different fans
Check you get an identical one to the radiator manufactor
Visit shop4parts.co.uk if you cant see what i mean

Ziggy

 

[s and b]

weirdly the fan on my punto had this same problem this week and i know for a fact it was alright when i fitted it 6 months ago
ive changed mine but kept the cowling but swapped the motor over off a good one as some motors are held in with 8mm headed bolts rather than rivets
certainly needs changing or it sets up oscillations that will cause your radiator to split
do it soonest but make sure replacement if going the second hand route spins up straight away and sounds real powerful or your wasting your money

 

[disgusted]

If they're only about £70, I think that I'll have a new one...

 

[wrightyy]

I bought a used fan from a breaker last month, only £20. Very simple to fit too

wrightyy

 

[disgusted]

I bought a used fan from a breaker last month, only £20. Very simple to fit too

wrightyy

That's good news. Does it mean that I don't have to take the rad out to change the fan? Good access? Any tips?

I'd do the scrappie (I love breaker's yards), but it would cost me £10 in petrol lust to get there & back (I've given the Punto to one of my sons & I drive a ridiculously thirsty big Alfa). I guess that I'll spend double, but I'll get new...

 

[wrightyy]

That's good news. Does it mean that I don't have to take the rad out to change the fan? Good access? Any tips?

I'd do the scrappie (I love breaker's yards), but it would cost me £10 in petrol lust to get there & back (I've given the Punto to one of my sons & I drive a ridiculously thirsty big Alfa). I guess that I'll spend double, but I'll get new...

Correct, the radiator can stay in place as the fan assembly just screws onto it. Access is quite good actually, you'll need a torch to see better tho
You might have problems when trying to remove the top mount part to allow you to lift the fan out. The plastic around the nut had deteriorated on mine hence the nut just span round...You may be able to grab it with a pair of mole grips or something but it's likely that the nut will be tight on the bolt... I ended up cutting away the plastic mount the putting a new one on.

Try eBay or somewhere, might keep the cost down

Wrightyy

 

[atom0007]

I'd give the top nut a good soak in release oil.

As said, it's held in place by the plastic and if you give it some trying to take it off, there's a good chance of shearing the plastic mount.

Reinstate nut with some copper grease for next time.

 

[disgusted]

Result!

Brand new from Euro Car Parts £68.40 inc VAT. Only 0.7 miles from home.

Keyed in discount code "carmech25" to get 1/4 off.

I'm happy...

 

[s and b]

Dont undo upper mount
Undo 4 x 8mm headed acme screws and power lead
fairy liquid the plastic cowling pin where it is secured in upper bracket
slide complete cowling down
spin round and remove from open engine bay
replace