Porsche Fan Conversion on Type 1

[Andy]

I now have a Porsche Fan conversion on my type 1 (2443) with a messa oil cooler with fan, lying horizontal on gearbox. The weather here in the UK is quite cold now, but above freezing. I am finding that the oil is taking ages to warm up. Is there anything I can do to help the oil rise in temp quicker. I would like to get the oil upto operating temp as quick as possible, therefore prolonging the life of the engine. I do not need to use the fan on the cooler, but will do in the summer.

I cannot be the only owner with this problem. Any ideas, such as ducting off the exhaust etc, or any ideas appreciated.

[DORIGTT]

You are running a thermostat inline aren't you?

You didn't mention that and I'm sure one would most certainly be necessary for the 'proper' operation and running of your system.

Oh! Edit your subject heading, you might get more hits and more information with your cooler cooler (pun intended) question.

[Andy]

Yep I am running an inline thermostat.

How can you edit title?????:confused:

[MattKab]

Only an administrator can edit your title (I think) ?

I'm considering an electric heater in my dry sump system's oil tank, a la 'immersion heater' to pre-heat my oil, 'stat controlled.

Matt

[DORIGTT]

Maybe you could cover part of the cooler to reduce the surface area? Here in Michigan, it's rather common to see semi-tractor trailers with most of their radiator covered up with a 'bra' that leaves only a small portion exposed. This allows the diesels to heat up and stay in a decent operating temp range.

Try it and see. Or replace your cooler with a smaller one for the winter.

Keep up posted.

[MattKab]

1.5kW 230VAC may I add. As most journeys start from home :)

[Andy]

Preheater sounds a good idea...

Covering the oil cooler is not going to help, as the oil only flows through the cooler at 180.

Just want to do what I can to try and minimise the wear at start up, when oil is cold. :D

Have thought about putting a baby bottle warmer on the oil filter for about 10 mins after start up. Not sure about that though.
The Porsche Fan seems very efficient, I am running 9.5:1 and an 88 mm crank, and I hardly ever see the temp rise above 180.

[DORIGTT]

You said it yourself, the temps aren't rising above 180 correct? At 180 your thermostat opens and that big ole cooler of yours starts to come into play correct? The cold running will be the same and it heats up to the 180 like it would regularly correct? Let's stop the heat from being removed from the system after it 'warms' to the thermostat opening temp. Baby bottle warmers and stuff seems like way too much work if while driving, the cooler will remove the heat that you were trying to get into the system. It seems that it is restricting you to the 180 range. Make sense? That's why covering/blocking airflow of the cooler seems simple yet effective.

Tell you what. Give it a try for a couple of days and see what happens. Nothing to 'engineer' into the system and it will cost you more in time than materials and specialized tools. If it works, great! Problem solved. If it doesn't, call me a moron for suggesting that something that simple and inexpensive would work:D

Have fun!

[vujade]

Andy, what would you like the title to say?

[Andy]

Sorry, must have been my description.

Temps are staying off the meter ie 140, after about 20 - 30 minutes of easy driving, they rise to around 160 - 170 no oil is flowing through oild cooler. I have investigated all this before posting.

What I would like is some idea of how to heat oil up quick, ie when locking garage door, have the car on tick over and let the oil rise to around 160. Obviously this will not be a problem in the Summer. As said before, want the oil to increase in temp to correct operating temp as quick as possible.

[Andy]

vujade - I am not sure, perhaps something like "pre-heat oil system for Posrche fan on type 1" or something like that, what do you think?

[Massive Type IV]

Use a thinner grade of oil......

[SuperRSi]

I use the in-pan oil heater from Stef's on a big block Chevy wind machine to pre-heat oil before use in cold conditions. They also sell heater pads, and I have found these do not transfer the heat as well. But they work well under batterys. We use a lot of power to turn over engine with 12 blade 6 foot diameter propellers and cold batterys won't cut it.

To look at the Stef's heater go to www.Stefs.com/33.htm

Thanks,

Randy

[scottystraub]

you can change your crank pully diameter to slow down the cooling fan speed. i think most 911 conversions are using the wrong diameter and creating to much cool !! wich is not cool !!??

[Massive Type IV]

The engine isn't physically large enough........... a 911 engine is 3 times bigger.

[BOBTAIL]

I think what Jake means is that a 911 motor creates more heat therefore requires more cooling, But you knew that anyway :)
Im still trying to fathom how a 911 motor is 3 times bigger than a 2.4 T4

:confused:

Thinner oil will certainly help .You could use an aircon compressor pulley clutch to disengage the fan during warm up.
Or just flick the belt off.

I've never seen damage from cold oil, only hot or old overheated oil will give you trouble.

There seems to be a big deal about Porsche fans overcooling but as yet I've not seen anyone have an issue because there engine was too cool.Its about efficiency if its too cool its not as efficient as when its at operating temperature.

Someones time would be better spent working out a variable pulley system which changes the ratio, dependant on temprature and revs, rather than trying to use a fan which is designed to cool a 44 horse motor ;)

[Massive Type IV]

Nope, the engine isn't physiacally large enough to use all the air..

Ever seen a 911 longblock?? One look will let you see just how much air can be blown through its fins, and why the 911 on a TI or TIV just isn't the same...

[Andy]

I appreciate all comments and replies.

I have spent a lot of money on the engine, and perhaps I am just paranoid.

I have always thought that oil under 180 degrees is not efficient and is not fully lubricating. I just want to minimise the wear on the engine on start up. It will eventually rise to 160 - 170 but takes about 20-25 mins of light driving to get there, outside tempature is quite low. In the first 20 mins, I keep revs below 3K.

So, if cold oil is not a problem.... I will stop worrying....