Additional cooling fan

Post by **K8DTG** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:09 pm

I am planning on adding a electrical fan to add to the cooling in modern day traffic.
I have a sensor that fits in the top hose, this turns the fan on when it gets hot but wondered if anyone has had a similar idea and what car they got the fan from.

Post by **jonathon** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:12 pm

Kenlowe do an excellent kit, which uses a sensor on the rad rather than the top hose which always tend to leak, and reduce the waterway by quite a margin.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 9:49 pm

There should be absolutely NO need for an additional cooling fan! kenlowe etc are intended to be replacements for the mechanical fan - which you remove to save power (better mpg) and less noise. the idea is - tha electric fan rarely - if ever - comes on!

Post by **alanworland** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:49 pm

Interesting info about the sensor on the rad, my in hose sensor has wanted to leak from day 1, I changed the original seal for the later one that fits around the hose stub - and it is now in the process of squeezing out the COMPLETE seal!
Another mod coming up me thinks.
I have no engine fan, and the electric (Kenlowe) rarely comes on.

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:07 pm

Does anyone know, then, how much better the mpg would be without the standard engine fan?

And roughly how many miles you'd have to cover to recoup the cost of fitting the Kenlow. If it rarely comes on, it means we are burning fuel to little purpose if we have a standard fan. And possibly increasing wear on the pump bearing. The pump pulley has to remain, obviously, to pump the water and hold the fan belt for the alternator or dynamo. Maybe, without the fan, there would be less stress on the bearing, extending it's working life.....another cost factor (although small) to throw into the calculation?
Just musing on the bearing issue....... maybe there would be no difference.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:50 pm

I never had a fan on my old rally Minor - but there wasn't much 'traffic' work. I also took the fan off my Trav when I got it - but when I put it in for it's forst MOT they started it and left it running for half an hour while they had it up on the ramp - and it boiled before they switched it off. Next day - it blew the head gasket on me - probably as a result of the 'boiling'. Replaced the gasket and had no more trouble - but I also refitted the fan before the next MOT, and frankly - have never bothered to take it off again! I do have an electric fan waiting in the wings - but again - have never had the spare time/energy to fit it! It would be manual control anyway - no fancy thermostats!

Post by **MarkyB** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 9:40 am

If you use the complete Kenlow set up it will take ages to recoup the cost.
You can get just the control mechanism on Ebay and source a fan from a breakers yard or maybe an AC unit.
If you have a temperature gauge fitted just keep an eye on it if you are stuck in traffic for a while and turn the fan on yourself.
As Bmcecosse says they hardly ever come on.

Another side effect is a slightly quieter engine.

Post by **mike.perry** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:41 pm

I have run my Series MM all through a summer with no fan blades, I was using a spare dynamo and could not swap the pulleys to fit the blades. No overheating problems at all.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:51 pm

I fitted one to my Armstrong Siddeley, and must say I did find it useful on ocassion.
l have also thought of fitting one to my everyday convertible, for peace of mind if nothing else.

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:37 pm

Kenlow fans seem to be rather overpriced.
If you put electric fan into Ebay Vehicle Parts & Accessories it comes up with plenty of options at much better prices.
I wouldn't disregard those for sports bikes either.