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another quick cooling question
andrew-theasby - 30/4/09 at 02:49 PM

Will it matter if my oil cooler goes behind the radiator, will the warm air from the rad heat the oil more than cool it or is it still quite cold air? Reason i ask is that ive dug out my cooling fan and its a front mounted pusher one. Would i be better to change this instead and get the oil cooler infront? Thanks


pewe - 30/4/09 at 02:54 PM

Shouldn't make any difference providing the oil cooler is tight against the water rad i.e. no air gap. Just ensure it doesn't chafe the rad by putting some thin foam/rubber around the edges.
Kenlowe use mushroom ties to hold their coolers tight against the rad.
Cheers, Pewe


Canada EH! - 30/4/09 at 03:19 PM

Your engine oil runs at higher temperature than the water about 260F as apposed to 200F. Putting the oil cooler behind the rad will reduce it's effect when both fluids are at full temp, however it will help warm the oil when started from cold.

for racing not good, for day to day fine.


britishtrident - 30/4/09 at 04:21 PM

Oil cooler always goes in front of the water rad.
Reason is to do with specific heat capacities -- water has much higher specific heat capacity than oil.


andrew-theasby - 30/4/09 at 04:34 PM

ok, dont know what specific heat capacities are but it sounds impressive! Has anyone else actually got theres plumbed like this? Can it be any worse than not having an oil cooler at all? Ill see if i can replan it in the meantime.


andrew-theasby - 30/4/09 at 09:58 PM

Well with a bit of juggling around, ive managed to get the oil cooler in infront of the rad with hopefully still enough room for the fan now, so i guess problem solved. Thanks for the replies.