Intercooler fan

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CHASTER

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
219
Fitted a 10" elect fan to intercooler. It sits in quite nicely. Just needed to block off some small gaps at corners with ally plate.
12 volt power tee'd into caravan relay under bonnet and fused down to 10 amps. Extra control switch fitted on dashboard to knock it off in winter or when engine is dead cold.
Why fit the fan? 'Cos I reckon heat soak from engine when in traffic etc. renders intercooler useless until car is up to 50ish again. Even when travelling at speed the mass of air thro' front grills seems to "pile-up" in the engine bay because the amount of kit in that space causes enough turbulence to slow down the through-flow, thus creating a bit of "pressure" in the bay. This seems to oppose the bit of ram air pressure from the small bonnet scoop and result in a slow/no flow through intercooler. Incidentally; the intercooler had been thoroughly cleaned out twice before I decided to go for this mod.
With fan working the engine has lost all its previous flat spots which I reckon were due to the intercooler never really doing much.
There appears to be a bit of an improvement in the MPG but the jury is still out on that because it's early days yet.
I now appreciate the merits of front mounted intercoolers.
 
It all sounds good to me Chaster :p But I wouldn't think you will have to switch it off in the winter as the cooler the intake air all the better thus why your truck will prob seem quicker on a cold day than a hot summers day :roll: Do you have any photo's of your new mod as i'm thinking of poss tring it myself as a bit more power wouldn't go a miss :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
fan idea

Yuv got that spot on CHASTER. Av read about that idea myself and when I get round to it I'd like to do that for my car. It really does make sense duntit.
Nice one well done to you. :smile:
 
Makes sense for low speed work (where you don't need it) but I suspect you'll loose top end power when on the motorway, due to the obstruction in the airflow to the intercooler - if it were that simple all the manufacturers would be doing it.

Have you thought about a water spray to the outside of the intercooler, this is done by manufacturer of high end things like Evo's and Scoobies and is almost essential to any competitive Gp N or A (or even WRC) rally car.
 
Hello hummingbird.
Thanks for your thoughts about water sprays etc.
I had pondered long and hard about that line of attack but decided that the fan was simpler and the engine gets enough rainwater anyway.

I'm a puzzled as to why you say the cooling effect isn't needed at low speeds. :? My experiences of trying to get smartly away with the hoarding rush-hour masses at roundabouts, traffic lights etc. is exactly what led me to try the fan, and it works for me. Before I fitted it I found the car was a bit short of breath when I had been on stuck on tick-over for a while and the intercooler had consequently been toasted. With the fan keeping the intercooler ventilated this is no longer the case, I'm pleased to be able to say.

On motorways I would be surprised if the fan offers any significant resistance to airflow , even if switched off, because it is light enough to windmill very easily. I have tried it out on the M54 and there was no hint of any adverse effect. I think that dead flies, dirt and bent fins are probably worse offenders.

As you say, "if it were that simple all the manufacturers would be doing it" However, simple is beautiful for me; so long as it works as I want it to--- and it does, even on the B and unclassifieds I spend quite a lot of time on, the old girls' get-up-and go has definately improved---wish I could find some way of improving my own. :lol:
 
elec fan

Ive got a NISSAN PATROL REFERENCE DOCUMENT from PATROL 4x4 site (oz site)that clearly sez and recommends an electric fan for slow moving intercooled 4x4 vehicles which is an advantage when off roading, especially for long periods. :?
Surely the spray idea is great for the highly competitive machines. :? :smile:
 

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