Fan Mod

merlinpjl · Jul 22, 2013

Some time ago, I saw a post from Datatek, I think!, that showed how to add a little extra cooling from the ac fans.

I bought the parts but never got round to doing the job.

Anyway, I'm off to the Dordogne tomorrow with my twin axle caravan and I see that France is rather hot at the moment - so I want to do the mod today.

Everything is fine on the engine, new water pump, new radiator, new hoses, new block and the rest.....

I have no cooling issues, but I would like the extra cooling for towing up the long hills.

Does anyone have the link?

Datatek · Jul 22, 2013

merlinpjl said:
Some time ago, I saw a post from Datatek, I think!, that showed how to add a little extra cooling from the ac fans.

I bought the parts but never got round to doing the job.

Anyway, I'm off to the Dordogne tomorrow with my twin axle caravan and I see that France is rather hot at the moment - so I want to do the mod today.

Everything is fine on the engine, new water pump, new radiator, new hoses, new block and the rest.....

I have no cooling issues, but I would like the extra cooling for towing up the long hills.

Does anyone have the link?

PM me with an email address and I will send you the details.
35C yesterday here near Poitiers, hotter still further south

TCubed · Jul 22, 2013

Data if you have the AC on LOW on a hot day so the fans are going fast, does that achieve the same degree of additional cooling as your mod?

Datatek · Jul 22, 2013

TCubed said:
Data if you have the AC on LOW on a hot day so the fans are going fast, does that achieve the same degree of additional cooling as your mod?

No as they are also working to cool the condensor, also they operate at full speed, half speed or not at all according to aircon gas pressure so you could have a very hot motor and no fans.
My mod adds the function of making them operate with engine temperature.

Dopey · Jul 22, 2013

Is this very important info not in the "how to" if not it should be, seems a great mod for days like today

Datatek · Jul 22, 2013

Dopey said:
Is this very important info not in the "how to" if not it should be, seems a great mod for days like today

It's not because it's not suitable for covering up cooling problems. Very good if the cooling system is in good condition and the advice varies according to engine

TCubed · Jul 22, 2013

Datatek said:
It's not because it's not suitable for covering up cooling problems. Very good if the cooling system is in good condition and the advice varies according to engine

So if the viscous fan is running properly with everything working and not blocked, would the mod help?

Equally, if the viscous fan is completely broken, does the mod support the cooling system to full efficiency?

at £100+VAT for a fan it seems like a good idea for the future if it can

Datatek · Jul 22, 2013

TCubed said:
So if the viscous fan is running properly with everything working and not blocked, would the mod help?

Equally, if the viscous fan is completely broken, does the mod support the cooling system to full efficiency?

at £100+VAT for a fan it seems like a good idea for the future if it can

On the diesel you can bin the viscous fan and the cowl, the electric fans will do the job as long as the engine and cooling system is in good condition. (not tested above 30C). On the V8 it's a usefull back up for a failing viscous.
It should never be used to attempt to mask a cooling problem.

stewie · Jul 22, 2013

If this works on the GEMS V8 i'd like to know how its done, ive got a 300 mile trip to Wales next month. I'll PM my email address

TCubed · Jul 22, 2013

Datatek said:
On the diesel you can bin the viscous fan and the cowl, the electric fans will do the job as long as the engine and cooling system is in good condition. (not tested above 30C). On the V8 it's a usefull back up for a failing viscous.
It should never be used to attempt to mask a cooling problem.

Does the petrol run hotter then?

Datatek · Jul 22, 2013

TCubed said:
Does the petrol run hotter then?

Think about it, 4.0 or 4.6 litres of fragile V8 burning a gallon of fuel every 12 to 18 miles compared to a 2.5 litre diesel burning a gallon of fuel every 20 to 25 miles, which produces a greater volume of waste heat? Running temperature has little to do with it, it's the volume of waste heat that has to be disipated that matters.

TCubed · Jul 22, 2013

Datatek said:
Think about it, 4.0 or 4.6 litres of fragile V8 burning a gallon of fuel every 12 to 18 miles compared to a 2.5 litre diesel burning a gallon of fuel every 20 to 25 miles, which produces a greater volume of waste heat? Running temperature has little to do with it, it's the volume of waste heat that has to be disipated that matters.

Ah and suppose the aluminium block of the V8 doesn't help much vs the diesel's ?steel?

I had a 3.9 V8i once.. didn't do much other than convert petrol into heat and noise

donp38 · Jul 22, 2013

this is, one of the best inspired mods.
agreed this is in addition to having an already great/correct condition cooling system.
no issues in 27deg with trailer and air con on, windows closed...

rodntod · Jul 22, 2013

donp38 said:
this is, one of the best inspired mods.
agreed this is in addition to having an already great/correct condition cooling system.
no issues in 27deg with trailer and air con on, windows closed...

Can second this.
Did 650 mile round trip to Dudley from Ayrshire last week in blistering heat,pulling a car trailer with an old bug on the back,no viscous on the car.
Thanks to Data's mod, it behaved perfectly and gauge never went past halfway once.

Datatek · Jul 23, 2013

TCubed said:
Ah and suppose the aluminium block of the V8 doesn't help much vs the diesel's ?steel?

I had a 3.9 V8i once.. didn't do much other than convert petrol into heat and noise

The alluminium block actually helps as it dissipates more heat, the diesels is cast iron, it doen't alter the fact that the V8 will produce more heat.
Bear in mind also that the radiator aperture was designed for the V8, the diesel was an after thought and if it didn't have the stupid arrangement of both hoses going in at the top which means only half of the rad gets water at full temperature it would be fine with a smaler RAD.

TCubed · Jul 23, 2013

Datatek said:
The alluminium block actually helps as it dissipates more heat, the diesels is cast iron, it doen't alter the fact that the V8 will produce more heat.
Bear in mind also that the radiator aperture was designed for the V8, the diesel was an after thought and if it didn't have the stupid arrangement of both hoses going in at the top which means only half of the rad gets water at full temperature it would be fine with a smaler RAD.

That's an interesting thought, has anyone ever fitted a completely different radiator?

Datatek · Jul 23, 2013

TCubed said:
That's an interesting thought, has anyone ever fitted a completely different radiator?

I have looked at the possibility, the problem is finding a good cross flow rad that will fit, has the right surface area and allows enough flow.
As long as mine is working Ok I don't have the time to waste looking for a suitable part.

tomcatrr · Jul 24, 2013

Datatek said:
On the diesel you can bin the viscous fan and the cowl, the electric fans will do the job as long as the engine and cooling system is in good condition. (not tested above 30C). On the V8 it's a usefull back up for a failing viscous.
It should never be used to attempt to mask a cooling problem.

Hi Datatek and others,

No, this mod will not work above 30C (I think less), AC on and city traffic, has a viscous fan alternative.
The dedicate Kenlowe 16" fan is about 50% of satisfaction in Diesel, when T goes past 30C.

In the 4.6; a huge Lincoln Mark VIII 18" (+- 5000 CFM, 32A) with the same conditions, work fine, until you turn on the AC.

Remember, this info is from several Portuguese users who try to remove the viscous fan.

Personally I believe the kenlowe 16" will work ok in UK.
(you can get a more powerful fan and cheaper, just go to the local scrapyard and search a big puller fan, a relay and if you don´t have already the Datatek Mod, buy a electric Tsat).

Datatek · Jul 24, 2013

tomcatrr said:
Hi Datatek and others,

No, this mod will not work above 30C (I think less), AC on and city traffic, has a viscous fan alternative.
The dedicate Kenlowe 16" fan is about 50% of satisfaction in Diesel, when T goes past 30C.

In the 4.6; a huge Lincoln Mark VIII 18" (+- 5000 CFM, 32A) with the same conditions, work fine, until you turn on the AC.

Remember, this info is from several Portuguese users who try to remove the viscous fan.

Personally I believe the kenlowe 16" will work ok in UK.
(you can get a more powerful fan and cheaper, just go to the local scrapyard and search a big puller fan, a relay and if you don´t have already the Datatek Mod, buy a electric Tsat).

A Kenlowe 16" fan produces less airflow than the aircon fans.
I've had no problem at 30C and the electric fans are more efficient than the viscous in crawling trafic, the viscous depends on engine revs.
This of course only applies to the diesel.

TCubed · Jul 24, 2013

Datatek said:
A Kenlowe 16" fan produces less airflow than the aircon fans.
I've had no problem at 30C and the electric fans are more efficient than the viscous in crawling trafic, the viscous depends on engine revs.
This of course only applies to the diesel.

I've wondered about this for a while; is there a case for engines revving at a standstill being more effective at cooling due to the faster fan, despite the increased heat production?

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