Those already know I have a clio with meg 250 engine. Been fitted 2 years now and used daily making around 320bhp. One issue I've never been able to address is the high engine temps when the ambient temps become higher. When the car is moving the temps drop nicely but on a hot day and sat for a significant period of time in traffic (and depending on how hot the day is) eventually the OBD reads 107dg and its at that point irrespective of the fan being on, the temps just keep rising. If I do 'the old', turn the heater on hot, the temps drop immediately. Clearly it's a struggle getting the heat out the engine bay. The conversion uses the clio rad and I wonder if fitting the bigger Meg one would be better or whether although 'chavvy', bonnet vents would help? Any thoughts please.....
Larger more efficient radiator would be my first port of call, If your still struggling with keeping temps down then bonnet vents will help extract the hot air and heat out the bay
When i deleted the aircon radiator and moved the intercooler 5 cm in the front + i deleted the oil cooling with wather ( where the oil filter is ) + removed from the bumper the big grill , i saw no more than 99 - 100 degress on dyno. Outside is much better
I wouldn't bother changing the radiator if it's keeping temps down under load. I'd look at uprating the fan.
Is there any tropical version for the fan system or radiator for the Clio? As far as I can remember my Peugeot 205 has a slightly different radiator and definitely a twin fan instead of one comparing to UK spec. The Merc that we have in Hong Kong are equipped with a so called tropical spec a/c and cooling system. If the Clio has a tropical spec then it will probably be easier to convert it this way I guess.
Def related to the heat trapped in the engine bay with no where for it to go. its things like the shape of the bulkheads being different from the Meg and Clio that impact on the heat displacement. I have a spare bonnet and some vents coming from across the water so we'll see it that's the answer. The good thing is at least comes down when the car is moving. I didn't know whether something like the themostrats were different on the 250......
Have a Google for Kenlowe cooling fan kits. Adjustable temp control for cut in, really common and successful in the kit car and aftermarket. Not sure if you could source the control unit and set it lower during the hotter months?
Thanks. I have fans fitted that kick in. The problem is they can pull the temps down once the heat reaches a certain point. theres just no where for the heat to go. I'm guessing on either Megs, there's more space in the engine bay which allows the heat to more around. The rads are bigger too so I guess there's more water in the system so would that help cooling? I'm hoping the vents from across the pond might allow the hot air to rise out the engine bay....
If your temps come down when driving then the hot air is getting pushed out. The engine will produce more heat under load than it will on idle. If it's only when stationary I'd say you don't have enough cold air being pulled in By the fan. What water temperature does your fan kick in at?
Not sure tbh but you might be right. I have 2 aftermarket 6' fans fitted as there wasn't enough room for the standard fan. I'm not convinced they are that great tbh.... Also to make it worse, I have a massive IC, then the Aircon Rad, then the bloody Rad and these 2 6' fans. No surprise it can't pull enough cold air in then.....
You can see in the link how little air small fans move. Click spal options. http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/fans-fan-kits/spal-high-performance-electric-fans
