Team-BHP - Jeep: Busted Radiator. Now what?

O wise forum folks - please help!

Here's the sit-rep:

After 3~ odd years of good service (for a year 2000 MM550), the radiator is busted. It has sprung multiple core leaks, and my attempts at getting the leaks soldered, have yielded no results.:eek:

It is the OEM extra-wide 3 copper core radiator provided by Mahindra [I suspect standard fitment of the time].

The engine is XD3P. I run an A/C and have been subjecting the vehicle to Mumbai summer weather and traffic conditions (where free roads are an exception, and ~2 hours of grid locked, grinding slow traffic is a norm)

In my mind the options available are:
1 - Swap the copper radiator for a like one - would a new one be available? where ?

2 - Swap the radiator for new one from the newer gen Mahindra vehicles like the Maxx pickup - these, I am told, are Aluminium, 2 core radiators - would this be effective for an old XD3P motor with A/C?

3 - Swap the radiator for a custom copper after-market one with more cores [4] ?
Lawrence Radiators could potential do it

I am hoping to learn from your experiences - what works best/is possible

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugnut (Post 3107040)

3 - Swap the radiator for a custom copper after-market one with more cores [4] ?
Lawrence Radiators could potential do it

I think its time for you to try this option for once. In any case you will need to sort fitment issues like mounting brackets & hoses first, as there were lots of models with some combinations of parts used .

Use your old radiator as sample, for its mounting & hoses positions.

Also do not forget to use coolant while filling up the new one ( for its anti corrosive value )

Sudarshan

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR (Post 3109042)

^^ Dhanush, by more volume of coolant, are you implying more coolant stored within the coolant system or more coolant circulation from a give volume (mass / volume flow of coolant) ?

Since his cooling system is same, and he plans only on changing his radiator, by more volume, I simply meant a bigger radiator, which can hold more coolant. And, while at it, if he gets more cores, then the heat transfer would be more and hence more effective cooling..

General opinion is
More coolant in circulation = Better cooling
More cores = Better cooling
Bigger radiation area = Better cooling
Better conductor = Better cooling
Clean inside surface (anti-corrosive) = Better cooling

So IMHO 4 core aluminum radiator with largest possible surface would be best pick.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev (Post 3109110)

...that's interesting, becuase the water pump can only circulate a fixed amount of coolant per minute - wonder what the impact on fitting a radiator with more volume will be?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrainsnooper (Post 3109195)

...that's interesting, becuase the water pump can only circulate a fixed amount of coolant per minute - wonder what the impact on fitting a radiator with more volume will be?

Interesting point you have made.

Another thing I know from my experience with the XDP 4.90 is the crank & water pump pulley have tow different sizes . So the pump can be made to run faster.

Dont exactly remember about the xd3p . Can anyone shed some light ?

Sudarshan

More, how much more, bigger how much bigger, better how much better, these are too subjective terms which can often sometimes confuse a common man, also quite evident from the various overheating threads seen here on the forum.

For e.g. a radiator of 33000 kcal/h, 500*350*25 mm core size (from a stock car) starts overheating. How much more, how much bigger, how much better, how does a customer decide what to choose? Some numbers would be useful.

Spike

PS - Just noticed, Sudarshan bhau congratulations on becoming a Sr. Bhpian. ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrainsnooper (Post 3109195)

...that's interesting, becuase the water pump can only circulate a fixed amount of coolant per minute - wonder what the impact on fitting a radiator with more volume will be?

More volume, will also mean that the radiator will be bigger, which will mean more surface area for heat transfer, hence better cooling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPIKE ARRESTOR (Post 3109225)

these are too subjective terms which can often sometimes confuse a common man, also quite evident from the various overheating threads seen here on the forum.

Well, these definitely are subjective. However, most of the Jeeps in the forum are far from factory condition, so I guess its always better to have better cooling system than OE. How much better? Well, there isn't much of a disadvantage having a better cooling system in a Jeep, other than money and space issues, is there? So, IMO, it can go as much as you can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sudarshan (Post 3109209)

Dont exactly remember about the xd3p . Can anyone shed some light ?

Yes Sir, the XD3P water pump too, can be made to run faster. Infact, that is how I have completely sorted out my overheating worries (Except like a continuous 90 kmph, or long time 1st and 2nd LOW runs)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhanushs (Post 3109411)

However, most of the Jeeps in the forum are far from factory condition, so I guess its always better to have better cooling system than OE.

True, they are far from factory condition, and do they overheat? :) Most of them run "oversize" radiators to hide up the overheating problems, I personally consider it as a workaround rather than a solution. Others may disagree, but I am trying to understand the rationale behind the "bigger is better" theory.

Quote:

Well, there isn't much of a disadvantage having a better cooling system in a Jeep, other than money and space issues, is there? So, IMO, it can go as much as you can.

When a 1.6 mm thick sheet metal bracket can meet my requirements, is it wise to go for a 3.2 mm thick one, just to be on the safer side ? That is my question.

Spike