Cooling fan on, rubber smell, help please.

[developer]

Tonight I came home from the city centre, about 5 miles.

Outside temperature about 5 deg and car temperature gauge showing 90 deg.

As I stopped the engine and got out I noticed the cooling fan running and a rubber burning type smell.

I left it for a while and then did a couple of miles before returning home.

The same again - fan on, rubber smell.

It's never done this before and it's hardly warm outside at the mo - any ideas please?

 

[corned]

Drive belt going u/s or slipping? That would give you a burning rubber smell. Then no drive to water pump would give you higher engine temp and fan cutting in?

Or it could be a bit worse, water pump siezed, causing higher temp/fan cutting in, and burning drive belt.

But I'm only guessing.

 

[developer]

Does 90 sound high to any V6 owners?

 

[corned]

In both scenarios I mentioned above, the gauge cannot be trusted because the water is not circulating properly. So you could in all likelihood have much higher temps in parts of the engine than indicated, especially the back of the block.

P.S. I'm not deliberately trying to scare you...

 

[brucemillar]

I would say 90 is not too high. However it's cold outside and you have the car moving. So 90 is not to be trusted. As above sounds like you have a slipping belt. Have a look in daylight for rubber dust over the front end of the engine or any damage to the belt.

 

[developer]

I've had a look with a torch and the belt looks fine, no sign of dust and the tensioners seem to be doing their stuff, however, I'm aware that it might look ok at idle but slip at higher revs.

 

[corned]

I know this sounds like a daft question, but I take it that there were no untoward noises?

 

[developer]

I know this sounds like a daft question, but I take it that there were no untoward noises?

Nothing, certainly no squeals.

Also, about 5K miles ago the main dealer decided to check the timing chain under warranty and took all the front end off the engine so (in theory) it's all been rebuilt/reset.

 

[corned]

I figured you would probably have mentioned it above if there were. I have presumed the two symptoms are related, but that is certainly not guaranteed to be the case.

Best to have a look in the morning when there is some light to see by. Also, it would be worthwhile perhaps leaving the engine running when you get home next time, so you can investigate under the bonnet.

I suppose it could possibly be some kind of electrical short with a wire to/from the fan. That might smell like burning rubber and cause the fan to run? Still guessing, of course...

 

[developer]

I figured you would probably have mentioned it above if there were. I have presumed the two symptoms are related, but that is certainly not guaranteed to be the case.

Best to have a look in the morning when there is some light to see by. Also, it would be worthwhile perhaps leaving the engine running when you get home next time, so you can investigate under the bonnet.

I suppose it could possibly be some kind of electrical short with a wire to/from the fan. That might smell like burning rubber and cause the fan to run? Still guessing, of course...

Thanks,
Sod's law as I've got a 2 hour return tomorrow to take Sweetpea to get his new car - it couldn't happen at a worse time

 

[developer]

DPF regen seems a possibility as it apparently produces a burning rubber smell and keeps the fan on while it does it.

Mine does have a DPF.

It has been plodding around recently - I'll give it some beans tomorrow and see of that helps (or blows the f***in thing up).

 

[corned]

Nah, that shouldn't be a problem. He's relatively young and fit - get him to push you if the worst happens going there, or tow you if it happens on the way back!

 

[corned]

DPF regen seems a possibility as it apparently produces a burning rubber smell and keeps the fan on while it does it.

Mine does have a DPF.

Ah - I never thought of that. You're right, the symptoms are similar. You know what you've got to do tomorrow then - rag it!

I spot a modification coming on...

 

[oldmerc]

cooling fan on,rubber smell,help please

In this cold weather 90 degrees is slightly high imho...Check Viscous Fan by holding Tissue paper 6 inches above Fan and observe its movement...Under higher Engine Tempretures and when Air Con is enabled two Electric Aux Fans may kick in and both are connected by a small rubber drive Belt,is this slipping and causing burning smell.

 

[camerafodder]

90 sounds a little high. bearing in mind that temp gauges often vary slightly from car to car its more important to compare the reading with where it 'normally' sits for your car. What temperature are you used to seeing when the the car is in normal use?

 

[whitenemesis]

My stat is rated at 92c according to EPC, so I wouldn't say 90 is high

 

[developer]

Unfortunately, despite having had the car for 10 months, I don't know with certainty what the usual reading is, though the indicator bars are about where I recall they usually are.

 

[brucemillar]

FWIW these engines/cars are incredibly efficient at cooling. When I got the dreaded "Coolant Visit Workshop" (my fan controller had packed up) I could still drive the car for a few days. As soon as I got over 20mph temp would just fall into normal range. If I had to stop in traffic - turn the heater and blower on full and that would keep it down. All of which is no help to you apart from to show that the gauge is simply that.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[Dr-Nab]

mine sits somewhere around the 90 mark so I wouldn't say that it's running hot, sounds like the DPF regeneration

 

[mobeyone]

FWIW's, mines always sat at 90 when warm.