The fans have arrived, been fitted, been tested in the workshop and on the road and the results look good - they are holding the water temperature at 80-85c. So Friday morning we're back out in the sand to see how the new set-up works in the dunes.
Well, it doesn't. As soon as we hit an HP (off-piste) section , where we're typically in first/second gear and pulling some 4000rpm without a lot of forward speed, the engine overheats. At one stage it reaches the absolute limit of 115c, at which the ECU calls 'time out' and shuts down 4 cylinders. We finish the stage but, considering it's a grey and cool February morning, and we're not actually doing race speed, we're clearly onto a loser. When the DC starts at the end of March, ambient temperature will be around 15c higher than it is now.
So this morning the car's back with Rick at Carwise, and we decide to vent the bonnet and install a bigger radiator. The one we choose is a triple-row after-market unit designed for a Land Cruiser V8. It sits above the chassis rails, unlike the narrower Patrol unit which drops down between them. The change in dimensions will enable us to fit twin 16" Pacet fans, so a new fan-box is being fabricated to accommodate these. But for a first test we'll retain the 13" units we have already. Monday I'll be on the phone to my friend at Pacet, to see how quickly they can ship out a pair of 16" fans.
Saturday morning, ready or not, we leave for Hail.
So no pressure, then....
These are the voyages of the starship 'Newtrix'. Its multi-year mission: to compete in any rally within striking distance of Dubai, and to acquire shiny trophies. To boldly go wherever this quest may take us, as long as we can be home in time for tea.
1 comment:
Best of luck in Hail.
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