18-08-2024, 05:17 AM
Sounds like you've already checked the main things Howard. I think Mark is right in saying the fan will have most influence when the car is stopped or running slowly - won't make much difference at cruising speed. That said, it's slow crawls up hills which will most likely cause you to boil.
I have a four-blade fan on my Ulster, and in my experience the car will inevitably boil on pretty much any steady climb in first or second gear, if the climb is long enough. As Ruairidh said, I'm not sure how to quantify any improvement vs a 2-blade. I now finally have a Calormeter which reads accurately (as opposed to one which is merely decorative) and last summer in the mountains found that to be helpful in anticipating when would be a good time to pull over and take five.
The only suggestions I can add are:
1. The closer the fan is to the radiator, the more effective it will be - there should only be say 1/8" - 1/4" gap.
2. Any air which slips around the radiator rather than passing through it is unhelpful, it may be worth assessing whether there are gaps which might be worth discreetly sealing with a bit of foam strip.
3. Water is actually a more efficient coolant than anti-freeze - the difference is small but there is nonetheless a difference. Of course water doesn't contain corrosion inhibitors or delay freezing, so there's a downside.
4. Try a clip-on electric fan?
I have a four-blade fan on my Ulster, and in my experience the car will inevitably boil on pretty much any steady climb in first or second gear, if the climb is long enough. As Ruairidh said, I'm not sure how to quantify any improvement vs a 2-blade. I now finally have a Calormeter which reads accurately (as opposed to one which is merely decorative) and last summer in the mountains found that to be helpful in anticipating when would be a good time to pull over and take five.
The only suggestions I can add are:
1. The closer the fan is to the radiator, the more effective it will be - there should only be say 1/8" - 1/4" gap.
2. Any air which slips around the radiator rather than passing through it is unhelpful, it may be worth assessing whether there are gaps which might be worth discreetly sealing with a bit of foam strip.
3. Water is actually a more efficient coolant than anti-freeze - the difference is small but there is nonetheless a difference. Of course water doesn't contain corrosion inhibitors or delay freezing, so there's a downside.
4. Try a clip-on electric fan?