General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

thermoswitch in radiator - what temp?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-11-2010, 09:21 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
WestfieldMX5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Belgium
Posts: 999
Total Cats: 73
Default thermoswitch in radiator - what temp?

Since my stock ECU no longer activates the fan on my '99, I'm going to install a thermoswitch.

I'm getting an aluminium radiator which has a bung for a thermoswitch, but I'm not sure at what to activate.
I guess at a lower temp than oem because the rad will be cooler than the stock location, but how much.
Anyone ever measure?
WestfieldMX5 is offline  
Old 02-11-2010, 10:23 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Cococarbine3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Batavia, IL
Posts: 601
Total Cats: 0
Default

I think a better option would be to put it in the heater line going from the block to the heater. You could cut the hose and put a pipe in between with a bung for the thermistor. That way, you wouldn't have to guess the temperature.
Cococarbine3 is offline  
Old 02-11-2010, 11:55 AM
  #3  
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Braineack's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,490
Total Cats: 4,079
Default

stock 99 switches at 210-215*F IIRC. something like that. I always trigger at 200*F
Braineack is offline  
Old 02-11-2010, 02:26 PM
  #4  
Elite Member
 
JasonC SBB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,420
Total Cats: 84
Default

BMW sense radiator outlet temp to decide to turn the fan on, which is logical.

I would set it to 5*C above your t-stat opening temp.
JasonC SBB is offline  
Old 02-11-2010, 06:56 PM
  #5  
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
hustler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
Default

Originally Posted by JasonC SBB
BMW sense radiator outlet temp to decide to turn the fan on, which is logical.

I would set it to 5*C above your t-stat opening temp.
I'd make it lots and lots lower than that.
hustler is offline  
Old 02-16-2010, 04:51 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
WestfieldMX5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Belgium
Posts: 999
Total Cats: 73
Default

Ordered a 85-75°C switch and will go from there. Will do some logging in TS to see if it's right.
WestfieldMX5 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
slomiata
MEGAsquirt
5
10-07-2015 01:11 PM
tazswing
Race Prep
20
10-03-2015 11:04 AM
shooterschmidty
Engine Performance
8
09-30-2015 10:28 PM
thumpetto007
Race Prep
4
09-27-2015 05:16 PM



Quick Reply: thermoswitch in radiator - what temp?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:46 AM.