19 replies to this topic

[yukonphil]

As a small update, I went to fit my new Mini lower radiator hose, as this is around 25mm ID and the copper pipe currently fitted is 19mm ID I thought this would be very worthwhile. But when I removed the bottom rubber piece and checked the outlet of the rad with my finger it appears my cheap rad isn't going to be able to flow anything like the capacity of the hoses that connect it. Not pleased. Will have to contact Minispares or someone reputable?

[nicklouse]

Trying to get my head around what is going where.

 

do you have just one radiator element in the system?

 

some of those pipes and hoses go way too high.

 

none of the cooling system really want to be above the fill level on the rad.

[yukonphil]

Understandable! The highest point is the filler on the auxiliary radiator which is smaller but side mounted right in the airflow. Before fitting the additional radiator it would just keep overheating, with the additional radiator, and it's own small fan running and the extra pipework it will now run around 90-95 degrees without any issue, any period of time stationary and I switch on the electric fan and that keeps it cool. In a way there's no problem but I know Minor's run nearer 80 degrees. I'm aware my radiator is half the size and I have much less coolant but my engine and pipework are exposed to cooling. Viewed directly from the front of the trike you can't see the main radiator at all so it can't be getting that much air through and the discovery that the outlet is really badly formed and causing a restriction makes me think a decent rad and a mechanical fan could have it running at a much lower temp all day long.

[cal844]

You may well be best off going to a radiator specialist and seeing what they can come up with.

Not ideal as not an off the shelf unit BUT it'll cool the engine as it needs and fit as it should (can be custom for the bike).

[Earwax]

As a small update, I went to fit my new Mini lower radiator hose, as this is around 25mm ID and the copper pipe currently fitted is 19mm ID I thought this would be very worthwhile. But when I removed the bottom rubber piece and checked the outlet of the rad with my finger it appears my cheap rad isn't going to be able to flow anything like the capacity of the hoses that connect it. Not pleased. Will have to contact Minispares or someone reputable?

Hi

 

Just some thoughts for you to mull over / throw away or reconsider/

 

Is the bottom outlet from the radiator Not 1 inch ( standard) or can you feel that the core is getting in the way?.  Why wont the radiator flow the volume ?

 

Is the electric fan on the frame blowing into the radiator or sucking ? If sucking then the headwind is working against it, if blowing then actually dispelling warmed air towards the engine

 

Is it a possibilty to remove the thermo fan from the primary radiator and mount it on the side radiator ( and still fit?) The placement of the primary one is terrific for air cooling- but atm the thermo fan blocks most of the wind  ( I know it is the idle that is causing heating issues but maybe the secondary rad if fitted with fan could handle it better?

 

( I cant really tell the directionality of the cooling system - so this may be another silly question)  Can you direct the hottest water towards the other ( i am presuming side mounted rad) first or vice versa to see which way handles heat dispersion better.

 

Some of the aftermarket ( cheap alum radiators ) do a great job. ( I don't have problems with the standard minispares types either The things i have found to look for on the alloys  ( on a mini mounted towards under the wheel arch) 

 

Total overall width less than 58 mm :

the angle of the top doesn't effect your set up):

core width 50 mm  ( a number are only 40 mm but look identical ) 

 

Love the beastie, good luck with solving this issue