R4 Advice Aluminium/Plastic Radiator versus All Metal Radiator Interchangeable?

[jcarruthers2]

Hi

Further to my last thread, I was wondering whether anyone knows whether the aluminium/plastic type radiator which is fitted to my R4 is interchangeable with the all metal radiators which if I remember rightly were fitted to the early R4GTLs. The reason for asking is that I decided to change my radiator as it is quite beat up but everything was functioning as per normal. I ordered a radiator from Renault and received an all metal exchange unit which I fitted to the car with new thermostat and rad switch from Renault and the fan does not cut in at all, even though, I thoroughly bled the system. I tried 3 rad switchs (1 new and 2 used but known to be working) and two thermostats (1 new and 1 used, tested in advance and working) with the new radiator, but no joy. When I put the old radiator back with the old rad switch and thermostat, bleed the system, the fan cuts in. The all metal radiator does look a tad wider than the aluminium radiator. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards

 

[jjad]

Sounds odd. We got an all-metal replacement for a plastic-sided one that had a tiny leak. Works fine.

 

[mr-reno-139]

i think i would be testing the radiator with an infrared thermometer and seeing what parts of the radiator get to what temperatureas without a temperature gauge on a R4 you have no idea really how hot it is getting unless of course it was boiling and the fan didn't cut in at all
maybe the new radiator keeps it so cool and the fan switch is not reaching 85 degrees c

 

[robbie]

this do seam strange, it could be the new rad holds more coolant so it takes longer to get up to temp
remeber these cars run at almost boiling point before the fan cuts in, next the new rad is faulty not allowing coolant to make good contact in this area.
if its working ok with old rad, either you are not running vehicle up to temp or new rad is made incorrectly

 

[jcarruthers2]

Hi

Further to my last thread, as an afterthought, I thought I would mention that the cut-in time for the fan for the aluminium/plastic radiator is approx 45 minutes from cold when the vehicle is stationary and idling, it then cuts in again at approx 10 minute intervals. This has been the case as long as I can remember. I was wondering how this compares to your vehicles. I carried out the same procedure with the all-metal radiator, the fan had not cut in after an hour of running the vehicle as above, the temperature light did not come on, nor was there any boiling over in the expansion tank. If you either run an R4GTL/F6 with an aluminium/plastic radiator or an all-metal radiator, I would be really interested to hear how long it takes for the fan to cut in from cold, stationary and idling I could then draw parallels. Any information would be greatly received.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards

Chris

 

[jjad]

Hi Chris, I'm sure that when I checked my radiator fan several years ago, I didn't have to wait as long as 45 mins (or even 30mins). I probably increased the revs a bit though, to get it heating up faster. Sounds like an infra-red thermometer would be useful.

 

[Azazello]

Last year I changed my rad with a DENSO one entirely made of metal. It is far better than the old one with plastic sides, even in slopes temp remains in the right range and fan do not turn on running at "high" speed.
But when the car is idling the fan turns on sometimes. Less times and for less time than with the alu/plastic rad, but is still working.

 

[Cyprus Andy]

I worry about no temp gauge fitted to these R4's ( Being in Cyprus we tend to get high temp's in the summer) and plan to fit one from an old mini, a 52mm or 2" clock will fit neatly into a pod under the dash and if wired up through the temp sender under the thermostat through a voltage stabilizer to maintain 12 volts ( the CCVS1 is the best to get ) at least I can see what is happening, might put a "T" piece and oil pipe in to fit an oil pressure gauge and keep an eye on the oil pressure also ! Cant be too careful when running an old motor

 

[jcarruthers2]

Last year I changed my rad with a DENSO one entirely made of metal. It is far better than the old one with plastic sides, even in slopes temp remains in the right range and fan do not turn on running at "high" speed.
But when the car is idling the fan turns on sometimes. Less times and for less time than with the alu/plastic rad, but is still working.

Hi

Thank you for your reply.

Best Regards

Chris

 

[jcarruthers2]

I worry about no temp gauge fitted to these R4's ( Being in Cyprus we tend to get high temp's in the summer) and plan to fit one from an old mini, a 52mm or 2" clock will fit neatly into a pod under the dash and if wired up through the temp sender under the thermostat through a voltage stabilizer to maintain 12 volts ( the CCVS1 is the best to get ) at least I can see what is happening, might put a "T" piece and oil pipe in to fit an oil pressure gauge and keep an eye on the oil pressure also ! Cant be too careful when running an old motor

Hi

Thank you for your reply.

Best Regards

Chris