Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-25-2007, 06:39 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
scatter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Blairsden, CA (when not on the road)
Posts: 1,109
Overheating Corrected

I've been having some overheating problems. My temps are always around 200 degrees and as soon as I start up a hill, they shoot up to 215 and then the electric fan comes on. This was happening all the time and didn't seem like the way Ford would design it.

As some of you might remember from other posts, I have the Aluminess front bumper with the Warn PowerPlant winch. This is the winch that has a super air compressor built in on top of the unit. I mounted the bumper and winch as soon as I got the rig home from Fresno, so I don't have any experience with the van with the stock bumper.

In looking at the Aluminess, it's not very streamlined and probably doesn't help the air flow to the radiator. My taller winch sticks up about another four inches above the bumper and further blocks the radiator. Maybe this is why I heat up so much? Anyone else with the Aluminess and 6.0 have the electric fan come on a LOT.

Anyway, I built a little scoop out of thin steel and mounted it to the bottom of the bumper. This directs a lot of air up and behind the bumper and directly to the bottom half of the radiator. The scoop sticks down four inches, but because I put it to the rear of the bumper it doesn't affect my approach angle. Now my temps stay around 195 and the electric fan only came on twice while low range crawling in my recent trip to Saline and Death Valleys. This little mod seems to have corrected my problem. Anyone else had this problem or have a better suggestion?
Here's a photo of the scoop.



It attaches in two places to the bottom of the bumper and then clamps to the brace SMB added between the front frame rails. I just added some screen to keep small dogs, kids and rocks from getting scooped up into the radiator. Now to make it all black so it doesn't show.

__________________
Scatter
You can be anything you want on the Internet,
it amazes me that so many choose stupid....

2007 RB50, 6.0
K1WGB
scatter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2007, 06:43 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Nicely done!
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2007, 07:25 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Jeffrey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,841
Garage
Good job, Scat. I'm always glad to see people that can evaluate and solve a problem, and have the metalworking skills to execute a properly engineered solution. (that's my career).

I do remember a while back learning about the Warn combo unit while I was specing my SMB to be, and I must say that the height of it was enough of a warning for me not to go that route. My decision was not based on any experience with that unit, but my projections of future. I went with the ExtremeAir Magnum with a 2.5 gallon tank, since my propane-less rig had the space for all that. I also do not have the Aluminess front bumper, and my Road Armor does not block the air intake at all.
__________________
'07 RB-50 - My Photo Site -- K1JGS --
Jeffrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2007, 09:12 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
pjpvi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 1,289
I have been planning this exact mod to solve the same problem and just haven't gotten around to it. I'm very glad to hear that it helps. Now I'm more motivated to actually do the project!

Thanks for being the guinea pig on this one (even though you didn't know you were).

Phil
__________________
Phil

- 2005 EB50 6.0PSD - SMB 4x4
pjpvi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2007, 09:35 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 123
Scatter,

That looks like it is a great fix; thanks for posting!

Happy trails,
Jeff
canyonclan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

Betsy

darryldickie

Serenity

Makalu1
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.