How do I keep my midget cool?
Discussion
Hi all
Any low cost thoughts on fitting an extra electric fan to my 1500 midget? The mechanical fan just can't cope with this heat! I was thinking of fettling a fan from a scapheap and wiring in a switch to the dashboard or wiring in an otter switch. Any body got any recomendations? (The citroen BX19 fan was a great addition to my Scimitar so I was hoping for a similar fix for the midget.
Cheers
Spunagain
Any low cost thoughts on fitting an extra electric fan to my 1500 midget? The mechanical fan just can't cope with this heat! I was thinking of fettling a fan from a scapheap and wiring in a switch to the dashboard or wiring in an otter switch. Any body got any recomendations? (The citroen BX19 fan was a great addition to my Scimitar so I was hoping for a similar fix for the midget.
Cheers
Spunagain
OK. I've had a look at the catalogue and they do a Kenlowe fan for the 1500 (No. G114 £85.25) I suppose that you could also help your engine by fitting an oil cooler too and these are 10 to 19 row cooler radiators and they start at £31.
Hope this is a help... but it isn't really low cost but at least you know that the bits are supplied with all the electrical bits and plumbing to make them work properly. If you want to talk to the spares guys they are on 01954 231318.
Cheers,
Paul.
Hope this is a help... but it isn't really low cost but at least you know that the bits are supplied with all the electrical bits and plumbing to make them work properly. If you want to talk to the spares guys they are on 01954 231318.
Cheers,
Paul.
I think 1500's generally tend to run on the warm side, including mine.
However I think they SEEM to run hotter than they actually do. maybe 'cos the engine is right by your legs, with no thermal barrier? And the gauges are usually pretty approximate.
Certainly mine has never actually overheated, even with a modified engine in, and what is probably original radiator.
The oil cooler is meant to be a good idea for engien longevity - don't think it will do much to cool in traffic (though anything helps I guess), but should help at higher engine speeds eg motorways.
Cheers, Phil
However I think they SEEM to run hotter than they actually do. maybe 'cos the engine is right by your legs, with no thermal barrier? And the gauges are usually pretty approximate.
Certainly mine has never actually overheated, even with a modified engine in, and what is probably original radiator.
The oil cooler is meant to be a good idea for engien longevity - don't think it will do much to cool in traffic (though anything helps I guess), but should help at higher engine speeds eg motorways.
Cheers, Phil
Thanks for your advice,
The main problem is at speeds of greater than 70mph, I think the problem is made worse by the overdrive I have fitted so the engine and hence fan is running slower for a given cruising speed 3500rpm for 70mph. The oil cooler seems to be a good approach, are they difficult to fit?
Cheers
Spunagain
The main problem is at speeds of greater than 70mph, I think the problem is made worse by the overdrive I have fitted so the engine and hence fan is running slower for a given cruising speed 3500rpm for 70mph. The oil cooler seems to be a good approach, are they difficult to fit?
Cheers
Spunagain
I had my car to 142mph and it just get cooler.
The faster you go the more cooled air you car is geting.
My fan only runs when the car is stoped!
Once you car in on the move you should have no problem.
There must be not runing right. Could even be timing!
Call the MGOC tec line and see what they say.
The faster you go the more cooled air you car is geting.
My fan only runs when the car is stoped!
Once you car in on the move you should have no problem.
There must be not runing right. Could even be timing!
Call the MGOC tec line and see what they say.
Fans only work at low speed, in excess of say 30mph cooling is achieved by airflow.
With current high ambient temps (modern fuels)the cooling system is being overloaded, you could consider water wetter.
Adding an oil cooler will help but in normal temps you still need oil to be over 100deg c, so best to consider system under more norm temps.
Electric fans work when supposed to in slow traffic so a worthwhile addition but expensive if the car does not overheat in these situations. Another expensive route is Ali rads but these do give increased cooling capacity.
Paul
Paul
With current high ambient temps (modern fuels)the cooling system is being overloaded, you could consider water wetter.
Adding an oil cooler will help but in normal temps you still need oil to be over 100deg c, so best to consider system under more norm temps.
Electric fans work when supposed to in slow traffic so a worthwhile addition but expensive if the car does not overheat in these situations. Another expensive route is Ali rads but these do give increased cooling capacity.
Paul
Paul
I'm certain that midgets sold in different parts of the world had different number of blades on the engine fan, my 1500 (a UK car) only has 4 where as teh US cars I'm sure had a 'warm climate fan) with a few more blades. (this must be the case with other models too)
FWIW, i drove to the south coast and back just before the weekend and in Fridays heat (at the hottest poinbt of hte day too), anything over 50 seemed an optimum speed for keeping excess engine temps down.
A kenlowe fan always seems a good idea, well, every time I'm stuck in traffic anyway!
FWIW, i drove to the south coast and back just before the weekend and in Fridays heat (at the hottest poinbt of hte day too), anything over 50 seemed an optimum speed for keeping excess engine temps down.
A kenlowe fan always seems a good idea, well, every time I'm stuck in traffic anyway!
MGBV8 said:
Adding an oil cooler will help but in normal temps you still need oil to be over 100deg c, so best to consider system under more norm temps.
Paul
I think that this can be overcome, since the MGOC also have a thermostatically controlled valve that regulates oil flow to the cooler.
Paul.
pss1 said:
Adding an oil cooler will help but in normal temps you still need oil to be over 100deg c, so best to consider system under more norm temps.
Paul
I think that this can be overcome, since the MGOC also have a thermostatically controlled valve that regulates oil flow to the cooler.
Paul.
Mocal (try 'Think Automotive') do a complete kit, with a thermostatic valve and take off sandwich plate that fits between oil filter and housing, and a couple of hoses. I can't remember at what temperature the valve works at though.
Mine was dead easy to fit (like doing an oil change). I just stuck the oil rad in front of the water rad, down where the horns are.
Cheers, Phil
My 1500 has been overheating too. I flushed etc to no avail. I do have an oil cooler which doesnt make any difference to the water temp. I have removed stat but it makes no difference. It gets hotter in traffic and at sustained high speed. I dont thi bnk that the rad is big enough for rubber bumper models. The reason we dont know of probs in the States is cos we are in England!
You say you flushed it recently - I did that with mine earlier in the year and it took ages to get rid of all the airlocks, i was constantly topping it up for ages (and running warm). Once done though its been fine.
Did you flush out the heater matrix as well? thats a problem area as well as the rads. Mine is fine at constant 4-4.5K but does get a little warm if your stuck in traffic! (ive got an oil cooler too)
The recent very hot weather affected it though, Motorway driving at those rpm was out of the question, i just assumed this was down to the high ambient temp of the air around a motorway as on a-roads where its more shaded it was fine.
Did you flush out the heater matrix as well? thats a problem area as well as the rads. Mine is fine at constant 4-4.5K but does get a little warm if your stuck in traffic! (ive got an oil cooler too)
The recent very hot weather affected it though, Motorway driving at those rpm was out of the question, i just assumed this was down to the high ambient temp of the air around a motorway as on a-roads where its more shaded it was fine.
Do not remove thermostat for any length of time, apart from warm up also effects flow of water around engine leading to hot spots. Thermostat only controls lower temp.
Both water and oil cool engine so oil coolers will help reduce temps.
So called new rads from far east are not worthwhile, recore existing rad if possible using more rows but laws of diminishing returns apply.
RB and number plates can interefere with flow to rad.
Essential to have car tuned and any air locks removed from system, check anti freeze content as well, good info on Red line web site as well as details on Water Wetter.
Make sure fans are working properly with electric worth checking earth and running a seperate supply so increasing speed and airflow.
Paul
Both water and oil cool engine so oil coolers will help reduce temps.
So called new rads from far east are not worthwhile, recore existing rad if possible using more rows but laws of diminishing returns apply.
RB and number plates can interefere with flow to rad.
Essential to have car tuned and any air locks removed from system, check anti freeze content as well, good info on Red line web site as well as details on Water Wetter.
Make sure fans are working properly with electric worth checking earth and running a seperate supply so increasing speed and airflow.
Paul
Gassing Station | MG | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff