Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

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jsp
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Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by jsp »

My Citroen ax has a uprated engine, new timing kit and waterpump, new rad hoses and rad.

I have installed a 82C thermostat.

During normal drive the temprature is normal 82-85c.

When I drive WOT its going around 100C

Which thermostat should I use?

I got three options:

73C
75C
78C

Which should keep the engine around 85C when WOT?
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Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by xantia_v6 »

It doesn't matter which thermostat you use. When it is fully open, it can't open any further.

Your cooling system performance is limited either by coolant flow rate (water pump), airflow (radiator and fan), or the size of the radiator.

It could also be that your engine is producing too much heat because it is badly tuned (especially ignition timing).
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Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by white exec »

What are you running in the way of radiator size and cooling fans (one fan or two)?
Are both fan speeds operating - low speed and high speed?
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jsp
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My Cars: AX 3x 10E 1.4 GTI 5drs 1.0i
CX 2x GTI turbo
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Now:
1960 ID 19
1984 CX GTI Turbo 1
1987 CX GTI Turbo 2
1987 AX 10E Pino
1994 AX 1.4 5dr TGS GTI
1994 AX 1.0 3dr Escapade
1996 AX 1.1 3dr spot Burgundy
1996 AX 1.1 5dr Verte
2003 peugeot 206 xs leather with auto A/C
x 12

Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by jsp »

standard radiator size, cooling fan the smallest one. Will upgrade this when the AC goes in.
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jsp
Posts: 327
Joined: 04 Dec 2014, 02:05
Location: Netherlands
My Cars: AX 3x 10E 1.4 GTI 5drs 1.0i
CX 2x GTI turbo
ID 19 1960

Now:
1960 ID 19
1984 CX GTI Turbo 1
1987 CX GTI Turbo 2
1987 AX 10E Pino
1994 AX 1.4 5dr TGS GTI
1994 AX 1.0 3dr Escapade
1996 AX 1.1 3dr spot Burgundy
1996 AX 1.1 5dr Verte
2003 peugeot 206 xs leather with auto A/C
x 12

Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by jsp »

xantia_v6 wrote: 05 Jun 2020, 20:18 It doesn't matter which thermostat you use. When it is fully open, it can't open any further.

Your cooling system performance is limited either by coolant flow rate (water pump), airflow (radiator and fan), or the size of the radiator.

It could also be that your engine is producing too much heat because it is badly tuned (especially ignition timing).
Thank you this is all uprated already.
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Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by Peter.N. »

If the engine has been uprated you likely need a bigger radiator.

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Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by white exec »

I recently came across this data in relation to Berlingo petrol:
The 1.1i (HDZ) engine. without AC, is fitted with 1 x 120W cooling fan, and a rad of 1700cm².
The 1.4i (KFX) engine, with AC, is fitted with 2 x 250W cooling fans, and a rad of 2300cm².

A 50% increase in rad area, and a x4 on electrical fan power.
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jsp
Posts: 327
Joined: 04 Dec 2014, 02:05
Location: Netherlands
My Cars: AX 3x 10E 1.4 GTI 5drs 1.0i
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Now:
1960 ID 19
1984 CX GTI Turbo 1
1987 CX GTI Turbo 2
1987 AX 10E Pino
1994 AX 1.4 5dr TGS GTI
1994 AX 1.0 3dr Escapade
1996 AX 1.1 3dr spot Burgundy
1996 AX 1.1 5dr Verte
2003 peugeot 206 xs leather with auto A/C
x 12

Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by jsp »

I have a K2A at the moment. 73C does its job.

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Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by kitchD6C »

If it's an issue at WOT, it won't be cooling fan or thermostat-related (unless it's not opening!)

If the engine is highly tuned, it's likely to be an inefficient water pump (different designs have different results, as I've found on our Saxo). The size of the radiator also plays a part, though that's easily rectified by fitting a Saxo VTS unit (about 200mm wider).

To be honest, normally WOT results in better cooling, and it's sitting in traffic that causes issues. If it's WOT that causes it, then it has to be air or coolant flow related. You also shouldn't discount the possibility that it's not tuned correctly, as suggested above. A weak mixture will cause much more heat from the cylinders (at least until it melts something and breaks down).
User avatar
jsp
Posts: 327
Joined: 04 Dec 2014, 02:05
Location: Netherlands
My Cars: AX 3x 10E 1.4 GTI 5drs 1.0i
CX 2x GTI turbo
ID 19 1960

Now:
1960 ID 19
1984 CX GTI Turbo 1
1987 CX GTI Turbo 2
1987 AX 10E Pino
1994 AX 1.4 5dr TGS GTI
1994 AX 1.0 3dr Escapade
1996 AX 1.1 3dr spot Burgundy
1996 AX 1.1 5dr Verte
2003 peugeot 206 xs leather with auto A/C
x 12

Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by jsp »

CO is correctly adjusted 0.8-1.2% its on 1.1% . Timing need to check this week as there is a oil leak on the distributor will redo the timing again.

Cooling is sorted now I think only with 30C+ its 90C thats fine. Otherwise 80C in all conditions.
kitchD6C
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1990 BX 16Valve
1996 Xantia Activa
1997 Xantia V6
1999 Saxo VTR (16v)
2007 C6 Exclusive HDI
1973 Hillman Imp
1996 TVR Chimaera
1996 Iveco Daily 35.8
2006 Ford S-Max 2.5T
x 4
Contact:

Re: Citroen AX GT running too hot on WOT

Post by kitchD6C »

jsp wrote: 18 Jun 2020, 21:54 CO is correctly adjusted 0.8-1.2% its on 1.1% . Timing need to check this week as there is a oil leak on the distributor will redo the timing again.

Cooling is sorted now I think only with 30C+ its 90C thats fine. Otherwise 80C in all conditions.
CO mixture isn't the same as running rich or lean, it's just a result of the burn. It's affected by the air/fuel ratio, but it isn't the way to adjust it. In any case, at WOT (and on the move), the mixture and CO will be totally different to what they are at idle.
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