View Poll Results: Oil cooler or cooling fan?
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll
Oil cooler or cooling fan?
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 22
From: USA
I guess I'm worried more about protecting the motor when not in motion. I put on a fuel controller and it's not running real lean but in Iowa, like other places, it gets 100+ in the summer so the bike will roast while sitting. Maybe I'm being too cautious.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
There are several versions on the market to choose from. I have experience with the LeNale and also some limited experience with the Wards Parts Works FCS.
I didn't vote in your poll because like I said earlier both have their place and serve different purposes.
Here's some links to a couple threads you might be interested in reading...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...test-data.html
and...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...tem-again.html
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 22
From: USA
You're concern is valid. I had the same concerns with my Limited. The best choice in this situation is by far an engine cooling fan. An oil cooler does very little to control the cylinder head temp in these conditions but the engine cooling fan works perfectly for the conditions you described.
There are several versions on the market to choose from. I have experience with the LeNale and also some limited experience with the Wards Parts Works FCS.
I didn't vote in your poll because like I said earlier both have their place and serve different purposes.
Here's some links to a couple threads you might be interested in reading...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...test-data.html
and...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...tem-again.html
There are several versions on the market to choose from. I have experience with the LeNale and also some limited experience with the Wards Parts Works FCS.
I didn't vote in your poll because like I said earlier both have their place and serve different purposes.
Here's some links to a couple threads you might be interested in reading...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...test-data.html
and...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...tem-again.html
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Nicktown, Pa
have a lenale fan on mine and it works great for slow moving stop and go driving. had the same concern as you. cruising bike rallies, getting stuck in traffic... have bin out with some buddies when i could smell their paint burning and with my fan i could touch my engine. it still gets hot but not scalding like theirs
Just my opinion here but from a strictly technical point of view I really don't see how a fan mounted on one side of the cylinders is going to much more than to blow heated air across the motor and make the rider very warm. On the other hand a standard oil cooler with disparate heat with simply air moving across the radiator surface as the bike is moving. Unfortunately it will not be as efficient without airflow brought on by movement of the bike which is where a cooling fan behind it comes in. With the thermostat set at proper or appropriate temperature the fans should come on anytime the bike is either sitting still for longer periods of time or forced to labor intensely to control the engine temperature. Personally that is the direction I am going.
Bob
Bob
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Just my opinion here but from a strictly technical point of view I really don't see how a fan mounted on one side of the cylinders is going to much more than to blow heated air across the motor and make the rider very warm. On the other hand a standard oil cooler with disparate heat with simply air moving across the radiator surface as the bike is moving. Unfortunately it will not be as efficient without airflow brought on by movement of the bike which is where a cooling fan behind it comes in. With the thermostat set at proper or appropriate temperature the fans should come on anytime the bike is either sitting still for longer periods of time or forced to labor intensely to control the engine temperature. Personally that is the direction I am going.
Bob
Bob
While oil does provide some cooling, airflow is the main factor when talking about engine temperature. Oil temperature has very little to do with engine temperature. On the other hand, engine temperature has a significant effect on oil temperature.
Now as for the engine cooling fan... I have to respectfully disagree completely with your opinion. It does a lot more than blow hot air across the engine making the rider very warm. While I agree the rider will feel the heat, the airflow provided by the fan also provides for exceptional control of the engine temperature.
You can think whatever you'd like to about the question posed in this thread, but the facts are that oil coolers and engine cooling fans do two completely different things. Which is better, like I said in a preious post, depends on the condition you are trying to control.
Points well taken. Personally I think the design of all the fan units I have seen leave a little to be desired. While I agree with the concept I think there needs to be some improvement. Particularly how to improve it eludes me. Air cooled engines require air flow in order allow the cooling fins to do their job and I can see what each of the vendors are shooting for but I think what may be needed is air to flow across the cooling fins combined with some method of evacuating or redirecting the warm air efficiently in an effort to remove the heat allowing the cooling fins to effectively dissipate heat. Maybe a system that blows air across combined with fans to pull heat away, along with rear cylinder shut down at idle (EITMS) not sure. Perhaps a well designed combination of an oil cooler and fan system working together is the answer? Without testing I have no way of proving this with way. All I do know is thermostatically controlled fan assisted oil coolers are efficient at maintaining oil temperature and assisting cooling an engine.
Years ago we labored with improving the cooling on Porsche race engines at a race shop I worked at but that was over 35 years ago.
Bob
Years ago we labored with improving the cooling on Porsche race engines at a race shop I worked at but that was over 35 years ago.
Bob
Last edited by HYPR; Jan 22, 2013 at 11:58 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 11
From: PacNW; Beacon of Conservatism in a Sea of Liberals.......AZ Snowbird; Just another Conservative
I have the 6-tube Jagg on the left downtube of the Dyna; blends and matches the look of the jugs well. RKC has the HD cooler at the bottom of the cradle. After climbing up South Mountain (Phoenix) on a hot day the temperature dipstick was showing 279-degrees...glad I had Synthetic and the cooler.
Last edited by PKellyMc; Jan 23, 2013 at 04:29 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: -
They both serve a different function and which you need, or want, depends on the conditions in which you ride.
The oil cooler is great for long duration sustained runs such as you'd experience on a road trip.
The engine cooling fan is great for stop and go, conjested traffic type conditions.
Neither will provide much benefit outside of the purposes noted, but they each work great when their used for their individual purposes.
The oil cooler is great for long duration sustained runs such as you'd experience on a road trip.
The engine cooling fan is great for stop and go, conjested traffic type conditions.
Neither will provide much benefit outside of the purposes noted, but they each work great when their used for their individual purposes.
If you don't ride much in town, then go for the oil cooler.
If you ride mainly in town and seldom in the mountain, go for the fan.
If you ride both in town and also enjoy long tours, well.... you want both, or if cost is a concern I'd pick the fan. Unfortunately I only know of the Lenale , not sure the WardPartsWerk fits on Dyna and I know the guy (a forum member) was late as he just started up and was having issues with his suppliers, so the ET of delivery was... quite long. I mean while oil coolers have been tested/used for years, not so with the fan....
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 22
From: USA
^this exactly.
If you don't ride much in town, then go for the oil cooler.
If you ride mainly in town and seldom in the mountain, go for the fan.
If you ride both in town and also enjoy long tours, well.... you want both, or if cost is a concern I'd pick the fan. Unfortunately I only know of the Lenale , not sure the WardPartsWerk fits on Dyna and I know the guy (a forum member) was late as he just started up and was having issues with his suppliers, so the ET of delivery was... quite long. I mean while oil coolers have been tested/used for years, not so with the fan....
If you don't ride much in town, then go for the oil cooler.
If you ride mainly in town and seldom in the mountain, go for the fan.
If you ride both in town and also enjoy long tours, well.... you want both, or if cost is a concern I'd pick the fan. Unfortunately I only know of the Lenale , not sure the WardPartsWerk fits on Dyna and I know the guy (a forum member) was late as he just started up and was having issues with his suppliers, so the ET of delivery was... quite long. I mean while oil coolers have been tested/used for years, not so with the fan....