[W126 Coupe] radiator air flow.

[Dick Spellman]

Hello Andres,

Yes, in fact euro mb 126 chassis sedans run with two sets of horns.  The 
fan-fare set is installed under the the driver headlamp assembly 
directly behind the bumper. Now these horns are true open horn tubes so 
the form factor is different from the flat horn coils you see up in 
front of the condenser attached to the cross member.  Still, I see no 
reason you could not move them to a bumper location.

To install a manual fan switch while maintaining the receiver/dryer fan 
circuit so that it works as called for, you need a single double pole, 
double throw relay.  Then you can manually over-ride the fan to ON as 
you see fit and if the switch is set to OFF, the r/d sensor can still 
automatically call for fan ON as needed should you forget.

This type of relay is available from folks like www.elkproducts.com or 
from any automotive store I suppose.

Dick

Andres J Homeyer wrote:

>

> Simple question---have any of you removed the 2 country horns from the 

> front of the radiator and remounted them below the car? Over 2/3ds of 

> the radiator area is taken up/covered by the A/C aux. fan. When it is 

> not operating it does a good job of partially blocking full unimpeded 

> air flow to the radiator. I am not one that particularly likes air 

> conditioning and very seldom use it: besides not running the A/C comp. 

> does help in gas mileage.

>

> On Fathers day I went to the MB Club car show in Albuquerque NM. I 

> live a little south of Alamogordo NM. The outside temp was in the 95 

> to 100 F range. Engine temp ran between 82 or 3 and would move up to 

> maybe 90 on long up hill pulls and then back to the low 80s going down 

> the hill---no A/C all 4 windows down about 3 inches and the sun roof 

> up in back---got 18.66 mpg driving at 5 miles over all the speed 

> limits. On the way back it was hotter about 100 to 105 F all the way.  

> Engine temps ran from 85 C to as high as 95 or 7. Long up hill pulls 

> it got to the 95-7 range and then down the other side back to mid 80. 

> Unfortunately or maybe fortunately I had a close call with the Highway 

> Patrol so the last 8o miles were driven at the speed limit. it was 

> mostly 105 F out. Same ventilation as going up. Got 19.33 mpg. These 

> mileages I feel are pretty good when premium gas was between 4.01 and 

> 4.12/gal; yes I know most all of you are paying a lot more.

>

> That is history behind why I ask about anyone having moved the horns 

> for better air flow.

>

> The area to the passengers side of the radiator is approx. 110 sq. 

> inches in size. The 2 horns are 25 sq. inches in area, thereby taking 

> up/blocking 25% of the radiator area. That is not an insignificant 

> area. Moving those 2 horns down under the front of the car near the 

> town horns in no big deal, just some screws and nuts and adding wiring 

> to reach them. Logic would say there should be significant extra 

> cooling available by removing any air flow blockage.

>

> I have a set of Flexlite dual 12 inch fans but have put off installing 

> them. I ran them on the bench and they are somewhat loud. Probably not 

> really noticeable at hwy speeds but I'll bet they sure will be noisy 

> in stop and go traffic. Granted it is safe for the engine to operate 

> at 100 C or slightly above but I don't like that idea.

>

> The other question is how can I rewire the A/C fan wires at the fan 

> and install a manual on/of switch in the car. This would let me have 

> voluntary control over using the A/C fan for extra cooling.

>

> Andy H

> '91 560 SEC

> 79 280 TE

> 72 bug, my daily driver

>

>

>

>

> The MB Coupes Website!

> W126 SEC Mailing List

> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>