Towing Mods: how hot can we safely get a D24T?

Nevadan · #1 07-23-2013, 10:49 AM

In a reply on my "Ebay radiator" post, 745turbogreasel said to us 1/4 box of Cascade dishwashing detergent to clean out the radiator. I had used Tide in the past on my 1957 Mercedes 180D and it worked fairly well. It did take several flushes with clean water to get all the soap out. I removed the thermostat to make sure the flow was good.

The oil cooler is an excellent idea. I put a small Volvo turbo oil cooler on, using the Volvo sandwich plate attached below the oil to water cooler so I get the benefit of the heat exchanger plus the air to oil cooler.

I'm thinking if this engine can pull a Pinzgauer it can handle the boat.

casioqv · #2 07-23-2013, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadan

In a reply on my "Ebay radiator" post, 745turbogreasel said to us 1/4 box of Cascade dishwashing detergent to clean out the radiator.

I already flushed about 10 times with laundry soap, and it now drains clear... but it seems to mysteriously still run warmer than before! It's a 11 month old Nissens radiator. I'm going to try removing it from the car, and soaking internally with purple degreaser as commonly done with Volvo intercoolers. I'll also be cleaning out a used mid-90s Volvo intercooler to install at the same time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadan

I'm thinking if this engine can pull a Pinzgauer it can handle the boat.

Any idea what those things weigh? I'd imagine the Pinz has lower gears and a vastly superior cooling system. I've come to the conclusion that the D24T Volvo cooling system is crappy for some reason, because it runs much hotter uphill yet makes much less horsepower than the Volvo red block engines in the same car. Maybe the red blocks flow water at a higher rate or something. Even with a brand new radiator, tropical fan clutch, new thermostat, and cast iron water pump I can hit 116C uphill with my D24T. A stock red block turbo making 50% more horsepower with a smaller radiator and a less efficient engine would never get over 100C under the same conditions. The same tropical fan clutch also kicks in at much lower temps on the red block despite the same thermostat opening temps, suggesting much better heat transfer to the radiator in the red block.

casioqv · #3 07-23-2013, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevadan

my 1957 Mercedes 180D

Any pics of your car? The ponton is one of my favorite cars, I've always wanted one!

745 TurboGreasel · #4 07-23-2013, 12:26 PM

I find if I drive to keep the EGT below 1250, the temp behaves quite nicely no matter how long a hill I'm pulling.

IMO gauge sender placement and something in the design not allowing the head to reject heat fast enough are working against us.I think having the cooling system configured in such a way as to have a constant out flow at the back of the head may help.

As far as the car half of the cooling system, it's the same as a 960 which works great, even with a v8.

Meth injection to keep EGT down might be an effective approach.

casioqv · #5 07-23-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 745 TurboGreasel

I find if I drive to keep the EGT below 1250, the temp behaves quite nicely no matter how long a hill I'm pulling.

Interesting, I've had an EGT gauge installed for years but haven't drilled and tapped for the sensor. I'll go ahead and do that this weekend. Is a metal plate over the EGR port an okay mount location?

My temp sensor is actually an aftermarket digital one mounted to a vacuum pump bolt. My handheld infared thermometer says that the head has relatively uniform temps, always at the same level as what the digital one on the vacuum pump bolt reads.

745 TurboGreasel · #6 07-24-2013, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casioqv

Interesting, I've had an EGT gauge installed for years but haven't drilled and tapped for the sensor. I'll go ahead and do that this weekend. Is a metal plate over the EGR port an okay mount location?

I'd think so, but I used a non EGR manifold.
20 minutes well spent for sure, it helps you track heat generation and economy in real time.

R.Mojica · #7 07-26-2013, 07:36 AM

Cool lookin 180D. I pictured it black also. Back to EGT tho. Is the best place to put the egt probe in the collector for the turbo?

745 TurboGreasel · #8 07-26-2013, 12:24 PM

yes

Here is mine, but you don't really need to remove the manifold .

Nevadan · #9 07-24-2013, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casioqv

Any pics of your car? The ponton is one of my favorite cars, I've always wanted one!

The 180D is the first diesel I started working on about 7 years ago and it's the one that got me hooked on diesels.

I only have a few pictures of this car but it gives you an idea of the before and after. It's not perfect but it's my daily driver and is perfect for getting around town and for short trips around Reno. I have driven it over Donner Pass on I-80 to Sacramento and it never went slower than 50 mph in the steepest sections. On flat ground I can run 65 - 70 mph all day long!!

casioqv · #10 07-24-2013, 09:13 AM

Beautiful. I think it's a close tie between a matte black Ponton and the 300 Adenauer for classiest looking car ever made. In my book, yours wins since it's also diesel. The performance doesn't sound too bad either, it's a rocketship compared to my Isuzu Trooper which takes similar passes at only 25mph. I've done Donner Pass only once, in a 1983 760 Diesel but remember that it was formidable- very steep and high altitude.

If you ever want to sell it contact me!