Pump / motors / fans run after switching ignition / car off

**prise** · 06-08-2010, 09:21 PM

The TSI motors have an auxiliary electric coolant pump that also runs for a few minutes after shutdown to keep coolant circulating through the turbo. This pump makes a faint 'buzzing' noise that you can hear after the radiator fan has turned off. It cools the turbo bearings down and stops them cooking the oil. Other manufacturers (eg Mazda) don't do this and consequently have a higher incidence of turbo failures.

**blanch0b** · 29-09-2010, 10:16 AM

i know this is going to be a stupid post but being a first time vw/turbo/GTI owner im unsure if its normal:

I noticed something last night which is the first time it has happened - i went on about a 45min drive (normal), engine temp was around the 95deg mark (normal), and came home; turned off the engine, got out of the car, and heard a noise coming from the engine bay that sounded like a fan..... i assume its the engine cooling itself after being switched off but it has never happened before....

is this a normal sound or is it wierd? why wouldnt it have happened before.... ive just hit over the 2000km mark so ud think it would of happened before this....

is this another case where the car is evolving?!

**teodeh** · 29-09-2010, 10:22 AM

It's the turbo's fan. It's on a timer so the intercooler can cool down normally even with the engine off.

**AdamD** · 29-09-2010, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by blanch0b

is this a normal sound or is it wierd? why wouldnt it have happened before.... ive just hit over the 2000km mark so ud think it would of happened before this....

Unusual that you've only just noticed it now. The turbo fan on my car is switched on after virtually every drive, including the gentler ones (my oil tends to hover around the 97-99 degree mark in usual driving).

**Converted** · 29-09-2010, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by AdamD

Unusual that you've only just noticed it now. The turbo fan on my car is switched on after virtually every drive, including the gentler ones (my oil tends to hover around the 97-99 degree mark in usual driving).

For the 12 days I've had my GTI, only once did the fan stay on after I switched the car off and this was not after one of the longer drives BUT that particular day was warmer than the rest. Didn't check the oil temp though.
This cooling down period is expected of a turbo car as mentioned by teodeh and in other topics in this forum but I find it a bit inconsistent of when it actually decides to 'activate'. Worth paying attention (myself included) to the oil temp as AdamD have suggested.

**blanch0b** · 29-09-2010, 03:42 PM

just went for a drive then and temp went up to 98deg.... came back into work and switched the car off - no fan...... hmmmmm interesting......... and its quite warm in perth today (etching towards 30deg!)

it may be worth a mention to the dealer when i take it in for a service...... (i will keep a very close eye on it as well!)

**galtaforce** · 29-09-2010, 06:42 PM

I've recently had the privilege of keeping my GTI nice and secure in a lockup garage. Ever since I've been able to park my car somewhere so quiet and secure I've noticed something strange after switching off the engine.

There is a series of three very quiet beeps eminating from the engine bay each lasting about 1 second each with about 5 seconds gap between them. Each beep is followed but a single, distinctive metallic click.

Has anyone else noticed this or have any ideas as to what it might be. There appears to be nothing in the Mk6 section of the forum.

**teodeh** · 30-09-2010, 10:57 AM

^ sounds like metal contracting. If so, your engine is supposed to get warm while operating and then cool back down after it's off.

**galtaforce** · 30-09-2010, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by teodeh

^ sounds like metal contracting. If so, your engine is supposed to get warm while operating and then cool back down after it's off.

Nah, it's definitely not just the sound of metal contracting. It's an electronic beep followed by a mechanical click... like a valve or solenoid or something.

**Maverick** · 30-09-2010, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by galtaforce

I've recently had the privilege of keeping my GTI nice and secure in a lockup garage. Ever since I've been able to park my car somewhere so quiet and secure I've noticed something strange after switching off the engine.

There is a series of three very quiet beeps eminating from the engine bay each lasting about 1 second each with about 5 seconds gap between them. Each beep is followed but a single, distinctive metallic click.

Has anyone else noticed this or have any ideas as to what it might be. There appears to be nothing in the Mk6 section of the forum.

They're not beeps but the operation of solenoids or similar. It's normal and nothing to worry about.