Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 31 March 2008, 10:49:41

Title: Is this really true?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 31 March 2008, 10:49:41
Removing the viscous fan and replacing with an electric alternative will really give me 8.5% more MPG ?

http://www.kenlowe.com/fans/consumers/fans03.html

Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 31 March 2008, 10:55:10
Quote
Removing the viscous fan and replacing with an electric alternative will really give me 8.5% more MPG ?

http://www.kenlowe.com/fans/consumers/fans03.html



Cant see you getting anything like that much mpg improvement, there will be some though.

Plus, you will loose the noise you really like to!
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 31 March 2008, 11:01:19
Quote
Quote
Removing the viscous fan and replacing with an electric alternative will really give me 8.5% more MPG ?

http://www.kenlowe.com/fans/consumers/fans03.html



Cant see you getting anything like that much mpg improvement, there will be some though.

Plus, you will loose the noise you really like to!

Hehe, yes, that's a good point.. it wouldn't be the same without that Howl ;D


Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 31 March 2008, 11:03:00
Less noise is about the only one of their claims I'd agree with!

Overcooling? - No, Engines have thermostats
Economy? - Yes, in theory, but nothing like what they claim
Performance? - Yes, in theory, but nothing like what they claim
Comfort and Safety? - Streatching it a bit I reckon.
Catalytic converter damage? - Won't make any difference (if fitted)

However, I'd be fitting one just to ditch the viscous POS.

Kevin
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: dad1uk on 31 March 2008, 16:25:46
It will save some fuel due to the drag on the engine turning the fan all the while.
8.5% seems a huge ammount to save though. :-/
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Jay w on 31 March 2008, 16:31:24
can i just point out that on a V8 10% would only equate to and additional 1.5/2MPG so 8.5% sounds about right
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 31 March 2008, 16:32:04
They are probably quite inefficient at maximum RPM but what percentage of the time does the engine spend at those RPM? (I hope not many, given that it's a Rover V8  :-X).

8.5 % is 17 Bhp on a 200 BHP engine. Can't see that myself. I bet that statistic is for a non-viscous fan on an engine with about 45 BHP.

Kevin
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 31 March 2008, 16:35:06
I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 31 March 2008, 16:42:59
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I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Yep. Electrics are reliable enough for them to be a no-brainer, yet lots of 4x4s seem to have viscous cr@p. I wonder if it's because they get a regular dousing in muddy water? Still, at least you can turn an electric fan off so it doesn't distribute water all over your igntion system.

One word of advice. Fit a proper fan switch somewhere instead of one of their cr@p capillary thermostats that goes in the top hose (and leaks forever thereafter).

Kevin
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Gaffers on 31 March 2008, 16:49:46
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I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Do the electric ones actually work?  Thought they were a gimmic
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 31 March 2008, 16:51:53
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I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Do the electric ones actually work?  Thought they were a gimmic

That's all an Omega's got (except Tractors).  :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Gaffers on 31 March 2008, 16:54:50
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Quote
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I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Do the electric ones actually work?  Thought they were a gimmic

That's all an Omega's got (except Tractors).  :y

Kevin

Am I missing something here, do the non modded omegas have a electric fan on the intake  :o :o
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 31 March 2008, 17:18:36
Ahh. No. We're talking about on the radiator. Hair dryers attached to the intake are certainly a gimmick.  :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 31 March 2008, 18:28:43
Quote
Quote
I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Do the electric ones actually work?  Thought they were a gimmic


Only non electric I never had was the Carlton - even the Sunbeam was electric
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 31 March 2008, 18:29:28
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Do the electric ones actually work?  Thought they were a gimmic

That's all an Omega's got (except Tractors).  :y

Kevin

Am I missing something here, do the non modded omegas have a electric fan on the intake  :o :o


No two in front of and one behind the radiators
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: TheBoy on 31 March 2008, 18:58:31
BMWs still have this stupid fascination with Viscous fans...

The viscous fan for my tractor is where it belongs, in the garage.

Had it up to 97C going up the passes a couple of weeks ago, though I was in a hurry ::)
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Tony H on 31 March 2008, 19:12:53
In the early 70's Kenlow marketed electric fans (which were rare in those days) to replace pully and viscous type set ups, they also made questionable claims regarding efficiency and performance :-/
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: platty on 31 March 2008, 19:30:11
Quote
BMWs still have this stupid fascination with Viscous fans...

The viscous fan for my tractor is where it belongs, in the garage.

Had it up to 97C going up the passes a couple of weeks ago, though I was in a hurry ::)

I'm changing my drive belt this week and the Viscous fan will be coming off to do this.

Can I just leave it off, as it must be robbing some power from the engine - surely? :-/
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Gaffers on 31 March 2008, 20:14:18
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Do the electric ones actually work?  Thought they were a gimmic

That's all an Omega's got (except Tractors).  :y

Kevin

Am I missing something here, do the non modded omegas have a electric fan on the intake  :o :o


No two in front of and one behind the radiators

Oh *feeling sheepish*  :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Is this really true?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 31 March 2008, 20:31:19
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
I prefer electric fans, need full blast in traffic and little when on a fast run

Do the electric ones actually work?  Thought they were a gimmic

That's all an Omega's got (except Tractors).  :y

Kevin

Am I missing something here, do the non modded omegas have a electric fan on the intake  :o :o


No two in front of and one behind the radiators

Oh *feeling sheepish*  :-[ :-[
;D ;D ;D ;D