Thread: How much cooling do Condensor Fans provide

I always found that turning on the electric pusher fans on my RRc did improve cooling, but having clear airflow in front of the aperture was just as important.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

I always found that turning on the electric pusher fans on my RRc did improve cooling, but having clear airflow in front of the aperture was just as important.

Quite true, a friend had a D1 TDI from new and had to remove the grill on a trip through the New England when it was only 18 months old. I have an ARB bull bar and winch which would restrict the airflow

having had similar thoughts on overheating I was thinking about a bigger inter cooler out front and getting a radiator from a V8 right across the front, cooler intake charge and bigger rad

doesn't look like it will cost too much

anyone know if its worth the effort, the bigger inter cooler will be for cooling only, no fuel pump tweak to go with it.

I fitted a switch to the condenser fans so I could switch them on while towing. Its hard to say if it made a difference but i'd say it would only be a small improvement if any. I have a digital temp gauge on the block and it does not alter much if the fans are on or off.
At the moment I see temps hitting 110c on steep hills while pulling the 800kg trailer. I have just fitted a new viscous hub but have not tried it out as yet.
From memory there is a relay in control box located behind the glove box on the passenger side for the condenser fans so its easy to control the fans from there if you want to try a switch. I think you can just about get to it by dropping the glovebox down by pushing the spring loaded latches back, its a while since i did mine.

I also did a home made Saudi Grille to improve the air flow and this helped improve air flow to the rad and trans cooler.

Cheers
Mark

Thanks Mark, I have hunted around today for new fans, one wrecker wants $80 each for them while the other two rover shops won't sell them second hand as they are too old to trust. New price isn't worth considering. The Toyota replacement motors are also $80 each and about the same age so probably not worth doing. Supercheap and Repco sell identical 10" thermo fans for $70 each so the will go in tomorrow. I was hoping the12" fans would fit but no luck. I will try the fans before purchasing the new radiator from the UK. If they do the job the radiator money can go on new tyres.

In theory the viscous fan should be twice as efficient as the condenser fans so I don,t know why they are always on when the ac is on

I recently had a similar problem with my D1. Changed the thermostat, rodded radiator etc. Then asked expert advice! Told to check Viscous fan. Easiest way is to listen to it. It should roar loudly when engine hot. Mine wasn't, not convinced, so changed it anyway. Eureka, no overheating even when towing 1500kg van up our 1 in 8 escarpment in 40c heat. Noisy as hell when hot but quietens quickly when moving. Two friends who also have D1s with similar issues, one of whom pulled his heads off convinced he had a blown head gasket, received the benefit of my 'wisdom' and successfully fixed their own problems by replacing the viscous hub.