Any tricks to keep s4 cool in very hot weather?

[Jphoenix]

Got my newly recored radiator back today. Now it's a three row core with wider fin gaps to help the sand fall through and improved low flow dimpled core tubes. I should have taken a photo of the old core, it was about 50% plugged internally by calcium deposits, typical for a 22 year old radiator.

Got a new oil cooler to replace the one I snapped the fitting on, $350 from JAE, new hoses, ready for reinstallation.

 

 

Edited August 5, 2017 by Jphoenix

[silverfrost]

Well done Jim ,  The car will be so much better for this remedial work 

[Jphoenix]

The new three row core is thicker than the old two row core. This causes interference with the radiator housing vertical L angles- requiring some modification to refit the pack into the carrier.

 

[Jphoenix13]

Got the radiator pack back in. Installing a three row core caused a minor problem with the radiator frame angles, but resolved relatively easily. New fans bolted right in and work great. It's amazing how nice and cool the car stays on a 90 degree, high humidity afternoon in traffic, barely gets above 80C, a nice uphill pull with a prolonged stop light at the top left me with about 85C. Normally that same pull runs the temp up to over 100 with the fans on, but not coming back down. Highway cruising has the temp gauge at around 78C.

 

So, this is a definite must-do for any who hasn't already dropped the pack and either rodded or recored their radiator. You will likely have to recharge your AC as I couldn't see a way to drop the back without removing the AC hoses from the condenser. Mine wasn't blowing cold anyhow, so not much of anything came out when I removed the lines.

Front valance removed and getting repainted to fix all the rock chips.

 

[Barrykearley]

Magic 

[Jphoenix13]

Today was the big test, 90 degrees, slow town traffic, AC on and blowing about 43 degrees out of the vents after recharging with R134a, radiator temp holding at 82C. After cooking at the traffic light and oil temp around 70C, pulled up a long 7% grade hill with AC on, actually cooled down to 80C. I'm quite pleased!

Finished painting the lower valance, hang it back on tomorrow. Next job - clutch.

 

 

[Barrykearley]

Clutch is easily available - it's a Renault unit from sj no matter what anyone tells you 

[MrDangerUS]

On 8/6/2017 at 00:14, Jphoenix said:

The new three row core is thicker than the old two row core. This causes interference with the radiator housing vertical L angles- requiring some modification to refit the pack into the carrier.

 

What SPAL fans did you fit in, PN# ?

Does JAE sell radiators w/exchange or outright?

Thank you

 

 

 

 

On 8/6/2017 at 00:14, Jphoenix said:

 

[silverfrost]

John,   

Just try a local radiator place that recondtions them,  Just do not mention the word lotus when they ask what it is for,  I always say kit car as it tends to keep the price down   Worth a shot as you be suprised how much you can save by getting it done direct from the rad people,  I would probably say i have payed 2/3rds of what i would of payed at dealers 

[DanR]

On 9/4/2017 at 16:57, silverfrost said:

John,   

Just try a local radiator place that recondtions them,  Just do not mention the word lotus when they ask what it is for,  I always say kit car as it tends to keep the price down   Worth a shot as you be suprised how much you can save by getting it done direct from the rad people,  I would probably say i have payed 2/3rds of what i would of payed at dealers 

We think the same there. I said it was a tractor radiator.

[Barrykearley]

My tanks and rad were also for a "kit" car ?

[Jphoenix13]

Fan part number:

Spal 30100435 10" Curved Blade Puller Fan

$74.04 each from Amazon

[MrDangerUS]

Thank you.

In addition, you may fit small fans into the deck lid vent openings to extract hot air from the engine compartment.

Edited December 7, 2017 by MrDangerUS