Radiator cooling fan

[trevor.pocklington781]

Good afternoon.
S type 07 reg 2.7 twin turbo diesel.
I fear my baby may be unwell !!
Engine running for approx one minute and then turned off. On exiting the car I heard what I assume to be the radiator cooling motor running.
This is the first time I have heard this but it may have happened before.
More worrying was a small amount of black smoke issuing from the very front nearside area. The smoke stopped but the motor kept running for two to three minutes. Tried again the next day (hoping it had fixed itself overnight). Same result but no smoke.
Are there any ideas what this may be caused by?
A faulty thermostat perhaps?
Worried of Woking (Trevor)

[davidr]

Fear not!! That sounds to me like your auxiliary heater. This is a small diesel powered heater that helps to warm the cabin quicker. The smoke was probably from that and the fan was the turbine inside the unit. Was it cold out when you started the car?
You're probably to be congratulated! Many people come on here complaining that their auxiliary heater isn't working!

[trevor.pocklington781]

Davidr
Thank you. That is indeed a relief. It was cold when I started the engine but not freezing. I did not know that the car had the heater you mention. Guess it is safe to go for a drive. Putting on my leather helmet and silk scarf !! Thanks again for your help.
Relieved of Woking (Trevor)

[davidr]

Trevor - glad to help. The heater will run when the ambient temperature is cold enough and you have more then 1/4 tank of diesel (that may not be 100% right but it's something like that). It's purpose is to get the cabin up to a habitable temperature quicker. Diesel engines are naturally more thermally efficient (which is why they are more economical than petrol) but the downside is that they take longer to warm up and so the normal heater that draws its heat from the engine coolant will take longer to reach its full capability. To stop you freezing your wotsits off whilst it gradually gets there the auxiliary heater helps out.
When it first fires up there will be some smoke from its exhaust under the (near side?) wheel arch until it's is hot and burning efficiently. You will then hear a roaring noise from the same wheel arch when it is running. It will run its fan for a while to cool it down once you switch off.
These heaters can be found in 2.7 diesel SType and X350.
I learnt about these when I had an X350 and was trying to find the sequence for resetting the heater . They have a habit of locking out if there have been a number of unsuccessful attempts to fire it up!

[trevor.pocklington781]

Davidr
Hello again. I do hope am using the correct name for you - davidr or maybe I should just put David?
Many thanks for your excellent answers they have been a great help. I must say that with all of the questions I have asked the help I have received from JEC has been quick and accurate. I do feel as if I am with friends.
Went for a drive this morning and everything is operating as it should which is a great relief as my bank account will not be trashed !!!
Enjoy this fine day.
Best regards
Trevor.

[jeff1954]

Hi Trevor I to have a diesel model, it took me five years to sort out the said heater I have to turn the climate control off and on manually in order for it to work all the time. Apparently some cars did not have the software fitted that lets the heater work automatically. I have posted things on the forum about this.It may come under Fuel fired heater/FFH.

Jeff