Oh no not again: Engine Temp questions...
 

Hello Everyone,

I have spent the past few weeks examining all of the past posts and web pages dedicated to lowering a 914's engine temperature. I have also spent the past month driving and working with my 914 to see what effects my temp levels. At this time all I can do is get the temp at it's hottest point during a 90 degree day to be about 240 degrees. I think this is hot, but not too hot, but still very hot.

So I have looked and seen that most people solved the situation with an external oil cooler. But I would rather not do this.

It seems to me what would work best is to get cooler air into the front of the engine where the fan is shoving it into the factory cooler and cylider heads. As well it seems important to get cool air across the bottom of the engine with the air deflectors.

If I start a drive with a cool engine and head out on the road and drive at freeway speeds, the temp never gets above 210, even after an hour of driving. But if I slow down or stop a bit the temp gets up to 240. I started to notice that the temp of the engine compartment was relatively cool right after a long drive on the freeway and it heats up as I sit or go slower. It also gets much hotter if I city drive or Stop and then start off again.

So my thought is simple. Could I create a device or something to duct cool air (90 degree ambiant) into the front of the engine with a pipe that shoves the cool air directly into the fan area and then into the cooler and such? Could I even use a duplicate heater fan or something and use that to help when I am not moving so fast? I don't think I want to shove cool air right into the air cleaner and into the air fuel mix. but cooler air right into the front cooling fan seems like a good idea.

The 914 engine bay is tightly sealed on bottom, and seems to heat up a bit on hot days. Plus the only place for the engine to get air for the fan is from within the engine compartment. So wouldn't this idea work almost as good as a front mounted oil cooler, but without the hackjob to put one in?

Just a long (Sorry about that) Thought I have been exploring.

Thanks for any input,

Yes I know how ironic it is that I have finally gotten to this point and its October... But I live in the southwest and we have normal 90 degree days all winter at times.

Oh , Also, The car is tuned, drives, idles, and seems to be perfect in every onther way. It just seems to get a bit too hot.

(Those crazy German Engineers don't live in the desert! The money spent designing these engines and cooling systems in the early 70's seem fine for normal use. But it gets hot down here!)

In short, yes it helps getting cold air shoved into the engine bay. A page worth looking at, if you haven't seen it yet--
http://members.rennlist.com/chuxter/#TempTests

John Rogers has a deflector at the rear edge of his roof that pushes air toward his engine grille. You can see it somewhat in some of the pictures on his tech articles elsewhere on this site.

Running without an engine lid helps, according to a few people I know.

It might be worthwhile trying a large electric fan on the engine lid. You want to make sure it doesn't interfere with flow at higher speeds.

Getting cool air to the bottom of the motor isn't really that beneficial. The deflector flaps are there to make a low-pressure area that sucks the warm air out of the cooling tin to the area under the car. This helps the cooling fan to push more air through the engine more easily.

--DD

I would check to see if you are running lean on your A/F mix with those oil temps. Also, have you taken apart the motor to make sure everything is clean in there? No debris around the oil cooler, cylinders etc... All the tin, flaps are in place and working ?
Geoff

Thanks Dave for the info. I think this weekend I am going to do some expiraments.

As well the engine was out 1,000 miles ago and recieved all new gaskets, seals, clutch, everything. So it's spotless. I have pluged all the holes, checked all the seals and areas around and lookled for anything out of the ordinary.

I have also placed a CO sensor in the cat bypass pipe and the meter says I am actually running rich (if 14.7 is right on and 17 is lean, mine usually stays around 13 and occasionally floats up to 14.) Though my plugs do not get sooty at all.