Oil coolers and fans

[Norbie]

So, I've just finished installing a small engine oil cooler on my Supra.



I noticed it gets mighty hot when the engine gets up to temp, so I'd like to install a fan to keep air flowing through it when the car is stationary. I have one of those little MA70 radiator fans but it's about half an inch too big to fit in the available space (limited by intercooler position), and it's the smallest automotive cooling fan I've come across.

So... crazy idea time. If I were to use a couple of those larger PC cooling fans, which would be a perfect size for this cooler, would it actually do anything worthwhile? I know you can get those high-rpm ones which make a hell of a racket in a PC and seem to shift quite a lot of air but I don't know if it would be enough to keep something like this cool. Or failing that can anyone suggest where I can get a smaller automotive fan? I need ideas people!

[infotechplus]

Sorry Norbie, can't help but I'd certainly be interested in a solution as well as I have a similar problem.

I thought, though, that PC fans were +5V

Cheers,

Peter

[Norbie]

Nah the larger cooling fans are 12v.

That's another point actually, will they cope with up to 14.5v as found in a car's electrical system?

[thechuckster]

and also whether the 12V fans are waterproof

[willwal98]

They should last ok with that small voltage increase. I would have thought that if as long as the cooler gets some airflow while you are driving that should be enough?

[wilbo666]

Most 12V fans are OK upto about 15V from what I remember...

It doesn't take a lot of forced air cooling to have a large effect, so I think the idea is good.

Charles brings up a good point about water however...I'd say surface water will be fine, but if they get 100% wet...prbly not going to work


What about a duct that goes from the rear of the cooler to the rad and hence to the rad thermo fans?

Cheers
Wilbo

[ed]

they hardly draw any worthwhile air

i considered this but gave up when i saw how shitful the flow rates were, let along through a radiator (not free pull)

just let it flow at speed, small heat soak at the lights is hardly worth it.

[Norbie]

Holy crap, Ed's back from the dead!

Yeah I wondered about flow rates across a restriction like a 2" core, haven't been able to find any data though? Good point about water too, I doubt PC fans are built to work in a moist environment and they'll definitely get wet with a bit of rain, so it looks like this plan isn't going to fly.

I'm not giving up though, next time I'm at a wreckers I'll be keeping an eye out for tiny fans. Wilbo's idea has merit but it's more effort than I'm willing to invest in this. As Ed suggests it's probably not a big deal, after all the cooler will see plenty of airflow any time the car is moving.

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

what about a fan like the one found infront of the a/c condensor?... although I tend to agree with Ed. Other thing is, how hot is it actually getting? Are you using a probe or just feeling it with your hand

[Norbie]

The AC fan is way bigger than an MA70 radiator fan, so no chance it will fit.

I have an oil temperature gauge, can't remember the numbers but it's getting plenty warm. It's also very hot to the touch!

[schnitzel]

and also whether the 12V fans are waterproof

I use one of these pc fans on my gtr1000 to keep the cd player cool as it is jammed into the space between the motor and rear wheel, this drags enough air in from the fairing to keep it cool, only problem is they are not waterproof ( neither is the radio) So when it rains and I'm on the bike I need to turn off the radio which then turns off the fan, as it runs off the amp power supply from the radio.

So in answer to you original question Norbie, yes a couple should help your cooling but they are not waterproof although if you get them wet and let them dry out they dont seem to suffer any ill effects, as long as they are not going when you get them wet.

Regards

Greg

[o_man_ra23]

So is the rest of your engine when its running Norbs. What about a motorbike radiator fan??

Cheers, Owen

[The Witzl]

I'm sure there is a fan out there small enough for this job Norbie, if you really insist on having one.

I dont think it's 100% necessary. Fans are completely useless once you get above 20-30kph anyway.

[LeeRoy]

Maybe you would just be better either getting a duct for it as mentioned or alternatively just move the cooler to a better spot.

- LeeRoy

[oldcorollas]

mount a little further back and put a small DC fan on?
DSCL8
is 52mm thick and 213 outside dimesions.

not worried about having the opil cooler directly in front of your interwarmer? any way to duct the heat away from the IC?