Mechanical fan AND electric fan?

[timtimtimajim]

Another project I need to start thinking about. Engine cooling. The entire cooling system on my Ex has been replaced (radiator, radiator hoses, water pump, fan clutch, fan blade, thermostat) as well as a good system flush. The A/C has also been removed. But even still on hot days the temp rises above half way on the gauge. Not to the point where it's dangerous, but it makes me really uncomfortable. And over long hills/mountain passes the temps rise so I have to crank the heat in order to maintain the temperature at halfway on the gauge.

There's two things that I want to do. First is an all aluminum three row radiator. Are they still being sold? Anyone have the link?

The second thing I've been thinking about is running one or two pusher type e-fans on the front of the radiator in order to supplement the mechanical fan. I would just want something that I can turn on and off manually with a switch. This would keep the system fairly simple and would allow me to have complete control over it. I think it would work because cranking the heat to help cooling is more or less like using an e-fan. But instead the e-fan would be on the radiator and would help maintain temps in traffic, slow off road crawling, and on long grades. I've seen systems like this before that have worked on other vehicles, so I don't see why it wouldn't work here. What do you guys think? Crazy idea? Should I go about it differently? Or would it work?

 

[Rick]

Before investing big money into fans how about trying a "real" temperature gauge to see if you truly are running hot. I have stock cooling system and I don't get too hot even in the AZ heat. I did have an issue when I tried to run a "Black Magic" fan by itself, no mechanical fan. That made the truck run too hot and I ended up ditching the electric fan completely.

 

[Hossexplorer]

Did you replace your temp sensor? It could cause a faulty reading.

 

[timtimtimajim]

Did you replace your temp sensor? It could cause a faulty reading.

Actually I haven't. I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of that.

Once I'm back on my feet (currently recovering from knee surgery) and summer gets closer I'll have to try that and/or as Rick suggested and get a real gauge hooked up.

I'm open to try anything really. I just want to make sure the Ex stays cool and doesn't overheat when I'm hundreds of miles from home.

 

[Number4]

Before you invest in more fans, find the cause of the issue.

Like the other suggestions above. Cracked head or block won't be fixed with more cooling.

 

[timtimtimajim]

Before you invest in more fans, find the cause of the issue.

Like the other suggestions above. Cracked head or block won't be fixed with more cooling.

Luckily I know that both the heads and the block are not cracked. No oil and antifreeze mixing. And no leaks other than a very small oil leak at the oil pan gasket.

I do know for a fact on certain mountain passes it does get warmer than normal. My suspicion is either a faulty gauge or just a lack of power. It seems to me the temp increases when I really have to push the engine to get over hills, or if you will, lugging the engine. It's slightly worse now that I have the bigger tires. My theory right now is when I get around to regearing (which I have another thread on) the issue might clear up. Since i'll have more low end power I shouldn't be lugging the engine over passes. Plus the engine never runs hot if I'm stuck in traffic on a hot day, or crawling down a trail on a hot day. It only seems to get hot when I'm really pushing the engine over a hill. So maybe it's just a lack of gearing?

 

[Rhett]

I do know for a fact on certain mountain passes it does get warmer than normal. My suspicion is either a faulty gauge or just a lack of power.

I would expect it to run warmer than normal doing that. The question is, is it "too hot". A real gauge would tell you, not the dummy gauges we have. You could have clogged passages in the rad or head -- or air pockets. I assume you checked all of that out though.

In my experience 1st gen Explorers that had the "Super Cool" package (2-row rad) and OEM clutch fan and OEM shroud will cool very well. I remember Rick's issues with the Black Magic fan and he ended up going back to an OEM setup I think, And I know guys who have run without the fan shroud, and they ran hotter without it...so it makes a significant difference on our trucks.

Griffin used to make an all-aluminum rad for our trucks, but I bet they don't anymore. I think I looked around a few years ago and couldn't find one (I wanted to avoid the OEM plastic/metal sandwich rads). If you do find a good aluminum option let me know. I suppose a rad shop could make one, but it would cost $$$.