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Installing a Radiator Fan
- Thread starter suissi
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Yes, it's backwards.
Bob_Spidell
Yoda
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The fan will (attempt to) push hot air from the engine compartment back through the radiator (opposed by the 'headwind' if the car is moving). Not a good thing. Similar to some turboprop aircraft's beta range:
Aviation Glossary - Beta Range
Beta Range,FAA Written (Knowledge) Test Preparation. Private Pilot through ATP and mechanic. For Windows PCs, Mac, iPhone/iPad, Android, PocketPC, and MP3 Audio. Up to date for and complete with all charts and figures and professional, illustrated explanations.
dictionary.dauntless-soft.com
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I'm tempted to say it will make the motor run as much hotter as it would cooler if it were installed correctly. But would it?
It might be an interesting experiment to see what happens to the operating temp with the fan installed backwards like that, blowing air into the back of the radiator rather than pulling air through it. With the fan blowing air into the back the radiator, and ambient air hitting the radiator from the front when the car is moving, it might be, well, interesting.
If you try it, by all means keep a close eye on the water temp gauge and let us know the results. I'm not suggesting an all-day drive uphill in record heat near engine red line in second gear, but maybe drive it until it reaches typical operating temp and then see what happens.
Who knows? This could be the groundbreaking beginning of the Reverse Thrust Radiator Fan industry! The legendary "Texas Cooler" (an off-the-shelf product sold at a markup with a catchy name) might be permanently retired by new technology.
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Just a wild ass guess here - but I think blowing air from the engine side into the radiator just as air in front of the car is trying to blow into the radiator and engine compartment would create something of a stand-off. That is, very little air would be actually blowing through the radiator. I wouldn't recommend it.
red57
Jedi Knight
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Sorry, guys but turning the fan around will not result in a reverse air flow unless you reverse the direction of spin. Backwards it will result in poor efficiency because it would be pushing with the heel (back side) of the blade rather than pulling with the throat (inside) of the blade. Hard to picture but I tried with a couple of pictures of a badly bent fan I had handy - with one blade turned around backwards you can see the arch of the blades is reversed but the angle (pitch) of the blades is the same.
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Excellent point. I didn't think of that, but obviously (obvious to me now) you're right.
So here is my feedback. Changing the fan brings about 15/20 degrees less heat! Luckily the car still had an electric fan, so it worked with normal driving. In the city I immediately had problems with the heat.
Conclusion, always check everything twice. Thanks everyone for the help.
Conclusion, always check everything twice. Thanks everyone for the help.