Hey folks, I recently bought a Megane 3 RS (not cup) 2010 exclusively for track usage and it came with the Airtec stage 2 intercooler. Unfortunately the water temps are going up (until the point the STOP warning is shown) and we need to be carefull to have some cooling laps - the temp goes down fast even if we just short shift. I'm obsiously very reluntact about putting the stock IC again .. from what i've read I'm considering 2 options: Replace the Airtec by the wagner and hope it solves the problem - I wonder if there is a power loss between both. This option would cost about 700€ but I would be able to sell the Airtec (which is perfectly fine for non track use) Replace the OEM radiator for the forge one. This would cost about 900€ (these are insainly costly!) and I did not found any feedback that this actually solves the problem What do you think about this? Thanks!
it could be the thermostat have you checked that yet could be due for a change also i always thought the stage 2 airtec intercooler was overkill the stage 1 airtec intercooler is better for cooling other options for good intercoolers are forge or pro alloy i have a mk2 and i have a forge radiator and a stage 1 airtec intercooler and my temps are below normal i don’t track mine just road use. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have a stage 1 Airtec intercooler and my intake and engine temperature are really good, i'm running 388hp and track mine a lot. I understand the stage 2 blocks a lot of the radiator and i think that's the problem.
I don't have any problem replacing the thermostat as it is a cheap replacement - but looking at the symptoms I don't really think it would solve anything. The engine only overheats when it's really pushed in the track - when drived by not so skilled/trainned drivers there is no problem. And it cools off rapidly when backing off RPM, so I imagine that the cooling system is effectively "turned on" but it is not enough. If I got the car with OEM IC I would definitely go for a stage 1 IC since this a track only car ... this IC design is just incredible blocking the radiator ... Also read about the turbo cooler that could be an option ... but I really don't think that would solve the problem
The other problem with the mk3 is that if the rad is drained, you can't fill it 100%, the in and out pipes are just over half way up the rad. You need to get the bumper off to get to the vent on the top of the radiator, if at anytime some work has been done to the cooling system then there is a strong possibility that air has got in the system and it will end up at the top of the rad.
Was it tuned after the I/C was installed? If not, it is most likely running lean and therefore increasing temp.
We had the same problem even on stage 1 airtec. In the end we removed the AC condenser and blocked the sides of the radiator / intercooler to stop any air taking an easy route around the sides. We also drained the system and fitted a new stat and type d coolant. It helped a lot but heat was still an issue.
Actually no. That is a good alternative before spending money in material. But would be that enough to get the temps so high? Thanks for the feedback! Don't you suspect about any flaw in the radiator? When I bought the car the coolant was replaced
Most certainly! When EGT’s start climbing you need a bit more fuel to cool things. But instead the ECU leans the mixture because it’s reading cooler air intake temps thanks to the new I/C.
Was the coolant changed at a Renault specialist, if not then they wouldn't know about venting the top of the radiator, so there is your problem
I had exactly the same problem. See also: https://rsmegane.com/threads/proble...-and-also-air-conditioning.20458/#post-211863 Throw the Airtec cooler out and take the Wagner. additinial i mount also an extra oilcooler. unfortunately the wether is not much warm at the moment, so i can't give a final statment but it looks to be a big improvment. under normal road condition the water temp. is around 10 degrees lower in comper with the ELIA/airtec cooler
