High Coolant Temps M52 on Track Days..

Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:05 pm

Giving the M52 a good hammering on track and noticed the coolant temp goes up to 3/4

Also doing low speed car control course while going sideways and round and around lots and it got into RED.

The fan is currently wired on permanently

This is what I've done to help so far

A.) raised the rear bonnet catches
B.) removed the rubber strip at the back of bulkhead under bonnet

To increase hot air flow out of engine.

Was thinking of cutting some more holes in the bumper and front crash panel?

Maybe use higher concentration of coolant?

Better high power fan?

Any more ideas?

Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:06 pm

Did you use a new radiator and metal waterpump?

Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:12 pm

Rad looks really new.....

It's the E36 Aircon one from memory

Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:59 pm

Bigger rad core

I was thinking that fan of yours could actually be slowing the airflow at speed, its quite large and covers most of the path for airflow to the rad, would be worth looking for a smaller/less restrictive fan, also an 80 degree stat and get the fan on a temp switch.

Any pics from yesterday?

Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:23 pm

Was too busy driving and it was pissing down with rain so camera stayed in pocket........

Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:48 pm

Jibberingloon wrote:
Maybe use higher concentration of coolant?

Certainly not this! Adding antifreeze to pure water reduces its heat transfer properties.

Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:04 pm

Waterpump and thermostat first then ensure the airflow can't bypass the radiator. Make sure the fan is sealed against the radiator and that the radiator is sealed against the opening (using foam strips or look at how the newer cars do this scrappy etc).
Also consider ducting the radiator itself and possibly cutting out the blanks in the grills.

Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:07 pm

My M50 used to spend it's life in the top half of the guage on track, that was with the M20 rad though, later on I changed to E36 rad and wrapped the manifold and had no further probs.

The big plastic cowling thingy in front of the rad makes a big difference i.e. cooling is much better with it in there.

Make sure the fan is pushing the right way

HTH