V8 electric fans problem

[petergalileo]

I have a 3.5 V8 on carbs, it has a 12 inch and a 14 inch electric cooling fan running through a radiator from a TDi (rad also has the auto gearbox oil cooling built in but is not being used yet)

The temp sensor for the fans is sitting in the top hose.

Problem is, my normal operating temperature has risen from just under half way to just over half way, the fans are on 90% of the time and this is putting a great strain on my 85 amp alternator.

Should I, Get myself a 120 amp alternator, fit another battery, change the radiator for a V8 auto one ?

Thanks for any advice.
Peter

[beast5680]

is the tdi rad a bigger one than the old V8 one? maybe the water is taking longer to go thru the rad which is letting the engine heat up more? I have twin fans from the old aircon system that was fitted to my V8 doing the cooling with no probs so far but i have yet to fit a temp sensor to turn them on automatically, what sort of arrangement do you have for this? i would be interested in a pic :D

[lrmike]

Sounds more like you have a cooling issue - if the fans are running more frequently, that is the symptom, not the cause.  Had any good mudbaths lately?  I finally cleaned around 5lbs of goo out of my rad last year and the temps dropped right back to normal.  Otherwise thermostat, or??
How long has the tdi rad been in?

[petergalileo]

I have aircon cooling fans too but one is absent as it broke.  The TDi rad is about the same size but obviously has the oil cooling built in, thats the only difference I can see.

I am using a Pacet thermostat to drive the fans, sensor is in the top hose.

I jet washed the TDi rad before installing it, the temp was just below half before fitting the TDi rad, now its over half.  Engine still runs fine but fans just seem to be on most of the time and are absolutely straining the alternator, it is whining like crazy.

As for your thermostat I would go for a Pacet one or a Kenlowe one they do the job, the only problem is when you put the sensor in the top hose it tends to slowly drip coolant as obviously there is now a thin copper pipe sticking out of the top hose I sorted that by putting marine grade sealant (called sikaflex 291) around the hose connection pipe before re-fitting the hose, left it loose for a couple of hours then tightened the jubilee clip up.  As an alternative theres an inline thermostat which is basicallyy an aluminium pipe with the sensor built in, you cut your top hose and fit the pipe with 2 jubilee clips.

[wizard]

This might help. nudge nudge wink wink......

thermostat


wizard :twisted:

[hobbit]

This might help. nudge nudge wink wink......

thermostat


wizard :twisted:

Yes they do, I have one on my hybrid, very effective, the tube is easy to seal with some hylomar down the side of the hose and housing, fitted mine last december and works great