Easy way to drop engine running temp

[Gasy]

A few months back I moved my number plate to the side of the front bumper
So I could fit a gear box cooler ( 13 row alley cooler )
It took a while to fit the ally cooler
But I noticed I was running a couple of degrees cooler on the engine head temp alarm ( all good )
I then got round to fitting the gear box cooler in front of the water cooling rad
And left the number plate at the side ( I like the look )
And it obviously lets more air in to the rads and engine ( the number plate is blocking half the opening )
Engine temp remained 2 - 3c lower
But since then I've always had the caravan on the back for long journeys
But last weekend I went to see a mate 1 1/2 hours away and gave it a good run on A roads to Leicester (60-70mph) few small hills

The engine temp was averaging 75c ( down to 72 down some hills ) it was 14:00 and a sunny day ( no coat required )
I used to run 82-84c normal conditions ( before moving rad and fitting gear box cooler )
Last weekend was the first time it's had a good run with out the caravan on the back
And the drop in engine head temp is obvious
Definitely moving the number plate dropped it a good couple of C
And the gearbox cooler must be doing a good 3c drop

I'm now running a good 7c cooler on a average condition journey
Moving plate was a half hour job
Installing gear box alley cooler was a hour and a half ( once brackets were sourced ) and £70
Quite pleased with that me self

[the1andonly]

any idea on change of temp on the box itself.
I have a sensor bolted to the side of the box that typically runs 40-50 with a max of 60 when towing uphill or at 60mph in 3rd (hold on).

[Gasy]

No I've not got a temp sender on the box
I do have a spare which I will put on one day soon
To see what box temp is

[rita]

It would be interesting to know what MPG the vehicle is now achieving , also does it have a fully functional 82 thermostat.

Good Luck

[Gasy]

No idea what stat is in it never changed it
I do have a temp sender on the hose to the rad and can see when the stat opens on the temp display
Still opening at the same temp

Will do a mpg
Not thought about fuel consumption
But I did get back from that journey and remember thinking ( bloody hell that did well on fuel on that journey )
I'd only put £30 in a empty tank when I left

[haydn callow]

Where is the temp sender fitted on your Engine ? At those recorded temps your stat won't be opening.
I would have thought you need to be running around 85c to get best all round performance.

[rita]

No idea what stat is in it never changed it
I do have a temp sender on the hose to the rad and can see when the stat opens on the temp display
Still opening at the same temp

Will do a mpg
Not thought about fuel consumption
But I did get back from that journey and remember thinking ( bloody hell that did well on fuel on that journey )
I'd only put £30 in a empty tank when I left

As a matter of interest what temperature does the thermostat open.?

[haydn callow]

Yes but it's not reaching that temp!

[rita]

Yes but it's not reaching that temp!

"I do have a temp sender on the hose to the rad and can see when the stat opens on the temp display
Still opening at the same temp"

I only want to know What Temperature does he see the thermostat opening on the temp display. as stated by Gasy sorry if I have not made myself clear.

[haydn callow]

Don't get it.....unless your temp sender is in a really silly place.......
A standard stat opens at 82c.....if you engine is only reaching 75c there is no reason for the stat to open.

[Gasy]

Engine temp sensor is bolted under bolt of rocker box cover

Have a temp display taped to bottom hose FROM rad to engine
This sits at same temp as outside air temp for first 20 or so mins of journey as engine warms up no change in temp on that hose

Then when stat opens you can see the temp go up to about low 40s to high 50s on normal journeys ( from memory )

So the stat is still opening and closing

[haydn callow]

You will get a relatively low reading on your readout with the sensor on the rocker cover. That doesn't matter but if you want to compare with other bongos you will need to move the sensor to the back of the cylinder head. You will then find that a healthy system will run at 85 to 92.
The fact that your stat is opening means you are running at about those temps ( 85/92 ) where it matters..in the cylinder head.

[haydn callow]

I would move your engine sensor to the back of cylinder head and the bottom hose one to the top hose....then the readings will have more meaning.

[the1andonly]

Hayden
I agree with the sensor at rear of head, as thats where you recommend and there's a lot of data from there.
I have one at the front stub on the head. typically the same as rear within 3 degrees.
I also have one on the bottom rad hose as Gasy.
I read widowsons diagrams of coolant flow as this being the position to monitor when thermosat is open. My results mirror gasys numbers ie approx 40C when open.
The other temps I monitor are next to the scav fan sensor and the drivers side of the gearbox.
I would consider moving the number plate for an experiment if it could be done without altering my bumper.
gasy is this feasable?

[Gasy]

Put the number plate in the window to try it
I've screwed mine to bumper

My sensor is under a bolt on the drivers side of the head / box cover

What I have done has dropped my head temp by 5-7 c
Stat still opens
So I'm happy im running at a lower temp