Overheating Narrowed Down to Inadequate Airflow.. Even w/ Taurus Fan @ 3800CFM

[opponheimer]

Well, I know this sounds impossible, but it isnt - at high load, on steep inclines, with AC on, my car overheats. When I say overheats, i mean it goes 3/4's the way to the H on the temp. gauge, as opposed to the normal 1/2 distance at normal operating temp. It is an s13 w/ s13 SR with BPU. The engine does not have a blown headgasket, there is no air in the coolant system, it has a new radiator, and a new thermostat. The overheating does not happen when the heat is on.



The car uses no antifreeze.
Blows no smoke whatsoever
No coolant in the oil.
High Compression numbers
Car runs great.


I think my main problem is my 4-row FMIC is so big, and at such an angle, that it keeps air from getting to my condensor/radiator as it should.


I am seriously considering doing the following:



Readjusting the intercooler for less of an angle, so that the air will flow straight through, easier.
Putting two pull-type fans on the intercooler (on the back of it, to help rush air to the condensor/radiator.)
Shrouding open gapped areas.




Now would there be anyone opposed to the placement of fans on the intercooler to increase flow?

[OBEEWON]

How sure are you its the air flow? Im having similar issues and I think its more than airflow.

[Z U L8R]

my intercooler core's only 25x11.5x3

get a smaller fmic unless you're making more hp than me lol

i kid i kid

seriously though, your logic does make sense. perhaps while you're at it you could make some ducts/flaps/scoops to channel air to your condensor/radiator

gl man
Dave

[opponheimer]

Just because the more cooling ability I give it (turning the heat on), it does not overheat. A blown headgasket will cause temp to climb regardless, not just stay at some odd high number. I have no symptoms of headgasket. I don't believe its faulty stock temp gauge either..

Quick question.. do you have an e-fan? I'm curious if a clutch fan would be better than a taurus fan..

Anyone's opinion on my thoughts of putting fans on the intercooler?

[Z U L8R]

i have a big ass e-fan i got from summit lol

from what i've been told, puller fans are better than pushers, gl

Dave

[opponheimer]

my intercooler core's only 25x11.5x3

get a smaller fmic unless you're making more hp than me lol

i kid i kid

seriously though, your logic does make sense. perhaps while you're at it you could make some ducts/flaps/scoops to channel air to your condensor/radiator

gl man
Dave


I ordered some xs power fmic kit and they sent me a 4-row fmic, its friggen massive, I had to grind part of the frame rail away just to get it to fit in.. You can't notice the additional pressure drop, but I've never had cooling problems like this before.. If I add fans to the back of the IC should i remove the shitty stock condensor fan as well?

EDit: i was at a junk yard and noticed some hard core bmw slim-condensor e-fans... i might try and grab those..

[Def]

Do some shrouding and get a real temperature gauge - the stocker is worthless.

Make sure your radiator is filled up all the way and the system is properly bled. This means filling the radiator with the heat on and then cracking the bleeder screw until coolant comes out(close it quickly after it starts shooting out).

[opponheimer]

Well guys i may have found the culprit, a tiny pinhole coolant leak on my top rad hose.. I fixed the leak... it hasn't overheated yet but i haven't came to any big inclines or uphills in hot weather.

[blu808]

Yup. That would cause that. No pressure capacity in coolant system.

[TheWolf]

remove it and replace it with a piece of pipe... see if it goes away...

[SexPanda]

pull the thermostat.

Should fix your problem... I mean, it is summertime, its not like its TERRIBLY needed...

ANd yeah, the leak could be the culpret...........

[UNITEDMASTER]

Another tip, ad a little bit of EVANS &,OR, water wetter to the system. Plain water has a lower boiling than a slight mix with a small percentage of coolant.

[!Zar!]

Please, buy a water temp guage.

The oem one is pure shit.

It pretty much only reads three ways.

cold, normal running temp and, fucked.

[mxexux]

Sounds like you need a better radiator. The stock one was not designed for a much hotter turbo motor while running up a hill with the AC blasting. On top of that you cover it up with a large FMIC. Maybe your expecting too much out of your stock radiator. Simply upgrade your cooling system to a better radiator and maybe a Nismo 145 degree thermostat.

[INeedNewTires]

of everything i'm reading in this thread the OP really has no idea what temp his motor is running. Just like Zar said, cold, warm, fucked! The motor is supposed to run warm but not over 95/100*C however we have no idea where is motor actually is heating to. This thread is worthless

[cazman]

even if the stock gauge is out, it didnt read that high before but it is now, and the gauge didnt magically change overnight,
A bigger rad will help but if its not getting any air to it it wont help much

I have the smae problem with my car, I ma using a 700x300x100 cooler and it blocks up pretty much 98% of the front air dam

It makes good power but gets hot, and I do have an aftermarket gauge and I know it gets hotter

I need to make more ducting to it atm to help

LINK IS HERE

Nissansilvia.com -> Cazmans update 10/8/08 - Hardtuned.net (http://nissansilvia.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=305112)

[Brentbohn]

if your hella cheap you can always try a radiator out of a 240 equipped with an automatic trans. they are 20% larger in size over the manual. personally i say get an aftermarket aluminum but good alternative.... by the way i have a s14 stock, removed thermostatic fan and clutch, running 50/50 antifreeze and my car never overheats... the ac fan seems more than sufficient. Perhaps you have a bad waterpump or restricted flow in your head or just alot of air to get out. Try jacking up the front of the car like two feet and running it with the cap off for 10mins.