Engine fan on constantly

gazfocus

Hey all.
I finally passed my driving test yesterday morning and went for a drive in my car yesterday afternoon to my fiances parents house. When we were on our way home (no idea if it was the same on the way there), I noticed that the engine fan was constantly on while I was driving. The temperature needle was on 100 degrees so not sure if this is normal or if there is something wrong. Can anyone advise?

Thanks

nolongerindenial

I cant remember about the temp guage in my old focus, but 100 degrees is nothing to worry about as long as the cooling system is functioning correctly. Typically on cars the fans will cut in around 93-94 degrees.

I would need a bit more inf on the car to be sure if this is normal though.

Mankysteve

Its a bit on the high side hence while your engine fan is constantly on.

gazfocus

nolongerindenial wrote: »

I cant remember about the temp guage in my old focus, but 100 degrees is nothing to worry about as long as the cooling system is functioning correctly. Typically on cars the fans will cut in around 93-94 degrees.

I would need a bit more inf on the car to be sure if this is normal though.

Thanks. The car is a 1999 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 estate. I bought it from a garage a few weeks ago and haven't driven it since because I hadn't passed my test. I've checked the coolant level and it seems ok so not sure what else to check (I don't know much about cars to be honest).

iamana1ias

gazfocus wrote: »

Thanks. The car is a 1999 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 estate. I bought it from a garage a few weeks ago and haven't driven it since because I hadn't passed my test. I've checked the coolant level and it seems ok so not sure what else to check (I don't know much about cars to be honest).

Then buy a haynes manual and learn the basics.

harveybobbles

Earlier Vauxhall fans cut in at the last minute. Scary really...

Ebe_Scrooge

That's good advice RE the Haynes manual. Once you've got the manual, it's probably worth giving the cooling system a flush through. Fairly simple to do, basically it involves draining the system, flushing through with a hosepipe and refilling with the correct mix of antifreeze. The antifreeze is important - during the summer you still need it as it contains corrosion inhibitors, and come the winter you'll be safe in the knowledge that your engine won't freeze up.

Flushing and re-filling should be done every so often anyway, as antifreeze deterorates over time, and doing this will remove any build-up of sludge which may be making your engine run a bit hotter than it should.

If you're still finding the engine is running hot, then the next thing would be to check / replace the thermostat. But I'd do the flush first as it's simple and pretty cheap - just the cost of the antifreeze to refill - and will certainly do your engine good anyway.

gazfocus

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

That's good advice RE the Haynes manual. Once you've got the manual, it's probably worth giving the cooling system a flush through. Fairly simple to do, basically it involves draining the system, flushing through with a hosepipe and refilling with the correct mix of antifreeze. The antifreeze is important - during the summer you still need it as it contains corrosion inhibitors, and come the winter you'll be safe in the knowledge that your engine won't freeze up.

Flushing and re-filling should be done every so often anyway, as antifreeze deterorates over time, and doing this will remove any build-up of sludge which may be making your engine run a bit hotter than it should.

If you're still finding the engine is running hot, then the next thing would be to check / replace the thermostat. But I'd do the flush first as it's simple and pretty cheap - just the cost of the antifreeze to refill - and will certainly do your engine good anyway.

Is the car still safe to drive with the fan on? (just until I can find a 1999 Haynes manual?

Strider590

May me worth cleaning the accumulated crud off the front of the radiator....

Ebe_Scrooge

No problem driving it, as long as it's not actually overheating. If you're stuggling to get hold of the Haynes manual, you can order them direct from the Haynes website, but I would think any bookshop should be able to order it in for you if they don't have it in stock.

mikey72

Get it back to the garage asap.
If it's over heating you don't want them to avoid any claim by saying you drove it and made it worse.
If they say it's fine, you're covered if it goes later.
Not saying there is a problem, just making sure you cover yourself.