Just looking at Radical's cooling schematic - is the electric water pump the only means of circulation?
Is it permanently on with the engine or how is it controlled?
There appears to be a choice of connectors for the pump, one low in the chassis near the alternator, the other is a tee off from the fan connection.
Is it plausible to have the pump operating only when the fan is turned on by the ECU at ~90 centigrade?
Hi Stephen, no. There is a mechanical water pump integrated with the oil pumps. The electric pump is for extra circulation when you're idling in the paddock like when you're pre-heating the oil.
I've had several people tell me they just run it all the time.
On my 2007 MoTeC setup, I run it based on coolant temps (comes on at 80*C).
Hi John, thanks for clarification. In that case I'll reconnect this water pump to come on with the fan. This configuration is best to allow the ECU to reduce the temperature of the coolant, immediately after the engine has been switched off.
In the manual, the fan/pump is to come on at 92 and off at 88 Your 80 degree setup gives the cooling a head start which could be useful.
BTW the switch between the starter button and ignition switch, is it related? It looks like a fan or pump symbol. I assumed it was the fuel pump, but have just realised that I've yet to see a document confirming that!
Stephen, that switch is supposed to be for the water pump.
Thanks for the info - I've bought a new Davies Craig EWP80 pump to replace the non working one.
I found that a 12 inch fan isn't enough to keep a SR8 cool at stationary. This has been upgraded to a 14 inch fan, which is the maximum size the radiator will allow.
@parsonsj you wouldn't happen to know the part numbersl for that mechanical water pump? My buddy's SR8 is at the track and it's leaking
@niknam Hi Niknam, no I don't know the part number. It's a full-on racing part that isn't sourced from a road car. I'd give the guys at RLM a call if you can't get to Radical.
Thanks John!
The mechanical water pump housing and impeller is custom manufactured by Radical but the drive shaft, seals and back plate is OEM Suzuki. You need to look into the leak, it could be the main internal seal has failed and they have a drain hole (same as the Hayabusa engine) that lets water out rather than mixing it with oil.
The main O-ring for the back plate to the body is OEM suzuki, as is the o-ring that seals the body into the oil pumps.
