Mine's a hot one - or is it?
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:05 pm
Hi,
This is my first post, although I've been visiting the site for over three years. I have a '66 S3 purchased in June '08 which has the original radiator set up and belt-driven fan. The car seems to run hot - but is it?
I've searched the threads on cooling, radiators and related topics, and I've followed most of the relevant postings for the last year or so. I've also read the articles in the Club Lotus News on cooling issues, but I'm still confused!
I should say that for a while I was unaware of any problem but after the water temp gauge packed up returning from the Goodwood Festival of speed two years ago, I became sensitive to the under-bonnet temperature, which seemed high.
When I replaced the gauge last year I noticed that queuing for the Goodwood Revival the temperature rose to the mid 90s. I turned on the heater and demister blower and the rate of increase in temperature slowed. It was with some relief that I parked up shortly after.
Since then I watch the temperature closely. It rises quickly to 85 degrees where it stabilises, so the thermostat is OK. If I have to queue it rises quite quickly but returns to 85 shortly after the car gets moving again. But if I queue for more that a couple of minutes the temperature starts to rise quickly and the fan seems unable to bring it down or stabilise it. I've fitted the foam strip under the bonnet, the blanking plate below the rad, filled the remaining voids with foam though not absolutely perfectly and removed the air filter to improve flow . I'm about to drill two c35mm holes in the nearside inner wing but I suspect that won't help much. The water pump seems OK: no leaks and very little play at the ends of the fan blades.
The question is: is there really a problem?
There seems to be two schools of thought:
That's what they all do - and it's OK so long as it doesn't actually boil. (I recall a thread in the 'Free Parking' section recently.)
That's what they all do and it's not OK.
Following from which:
Re-core that radiator
Install the Ford Fiesta or similar filler/thermostat housing
Fit at least one electric fan
Fit an alloy radiator, or
Some combination of the above.
If I fit an electric fan will I need an alternator? The car still has its dynamo and it's still +ve earth.
Another alternative which is very rarely suggested, is fitting an oil cooler, which as I recall my MG Midget and MGB had as standard.
Any advice would be welcome. I want to avoid a warped head but only do what's needed, if anything, once.
Paul
This is my first post, although I've been visiting the site for over three years. I have a '66 S3 purchased in June '08 which has the original radiator set up and belt-driven fan. The car seems to run hot - but is it?
I've searched the threads on cooling, radiators and related topics, and I've followed most of the relevant postings for the last year or so. I've also read the articles in the Club Lotus News on cooling issues, but I'm still confused!
I should say that for a while I was unaware of any problem but after the water temp gauge packed up returning from the Goodwood Festival of speed two years ago, I became sensitive to the under-bonnet temperature, which seemed high.
When I replaced the gauge last year I noticed that queuing for the Goodwood Revival the temperature rose to the mid 90s. I turned on the heater and demister blower and the rate of increase in temperature slowed. It was with some relief that I parked up shortly after.
Since then I watch the temperature closely. It rises quickly to 85 degrees where it stabilises, so the thermostat is OK. If I have to queue it rises quite quickly but returns to 85 shortly after the car gets moving again. But if I queue for more that a couple of minutes the temperature starts to rise quickly and the fan seems unable to bring it down or stabilise it. I've fitted the foam strip under the bonnet, the blanking plate below the rad, filled the remaining voids with foam though not absolutely perfectly and removed the air filter to improve flow . I'm about to drill two c35mm holes in the nearside inner wing but I suspect that won't help much. The water pump seems OK: no leaks and very little play at the ends of the fan blades.
The question is: is there really a problem?
There seems to be two schools of thought:
That's what they all do - and it's OK so long as it doesn't actually boil. (I recall a thread in the 'Free Parking' section recently.)
That's what they all do and it's not OK.
Following from which:
Re-core that radiator
Install the Ford Fiesta or similar filler/thermostat housing
Fit at least one electric fan
Fit an alloy radiator, or
Some combination of the above.
If I fit an electric fan will I need an alternator? The car still has its dynamo and it's still +ve earth.
Another alternative which is very rarely suggested, is fitting an oil cooler, which as I recall my MG Midget and MGB had as standard.
Any advice would be welcome. I want to avoid a warped head but only do what's needed, if anything, once.
Paul