Radiator - lower

[berrost]

I seem to have a mystery leak in the radiator that is mounted under the front end (Horizontal mount) that I haven't been able to pin point yet, all the hoses seem fine and I don't see any obvious leaks anywhere on the unit but after a run around San Diego I park and end up with a few drops of fluid on the ground after a day (+). The leaks drip off the aft mounting tabs screws, nothing visible in the lower fins and the upper area is not visible due to the down forcing cooling fan.
Anyone ever experience this?
Any idea where to get a replacement fan (last resort).
Thanks

[MadMaxAtom]

It is probably one of the plastic elbows that thread into the cooler leaking a bit right where they thread into the metal housing,as they expand/contract at different speeds due the difference in thermal expansion rates. The cooler itself is very robust and I doubt very very much that it is leaking,however,the plastic connectors do leak on occasion,especially if the car is driven in a spirited manner.The long metal (aluminum)tubes that transfer the coolant from the rear to the front of the car vibrate/jiggle just enough to get the fittings to seep on occasion,I have found.Check the hose clamps that clamp the rubber hoses to the to the plastic fittings,but don't over tighten them. I tend to ignore those slight leaks,and just top off the reservoir when needed.If it is leaking more than that,you should probably address it. Think of it like an old Harley leaking a bit of oil every outing...just marking their territory...

[berrost]

Thanks - That makes a lot of sense - every time the car comes out the Spirited Drive seems to take over....
I have owned many a Harley so if there is no drip I will assume I am out of fluid

[MadMaxAtom]

You may find those hose clamps aren't adjustable units,as many of the brammos came with one time use only crimped band hose "clamps",and I have found them pretty much useless, as they don't apply constant torque (start to weep) and can't be retorqued with much success (never in my experience..) I use constant torque worm clamps on all cooling hoses and have cut losses to a minimum. It's a pretty easy upgrade to do and worth the effort.

[berrost]

Agree - I did notice them, Mopar used them for a while and they are worthless. I have a bunch and the tools to install them but would rather the worm screw style on the Atom application.

[Terry Kennedy]

You may find those hose clamps aren't adjustable units,as many of the brammos came with one time use only crimped band hose "clamps",and I have found them pretty much useless, as they don't apply constant torque (start to weep) and can't be retorqued with much success (never in my experience..)

You're correct - you can't adjust those clamps (either tighter or looser) once they're installed. That's why it is imperative to use the correct clamp (both open and closed diameters). Brammo may have cut corners near the end, but they originally used Oetiker clamps from Switzerland. Similarly, the few worm drive clamps Brammo used were also of good quality - I don't remember the brand, but when I was replacing them the most convenient supplier was my local Porsche parts department.

I've had very good experiences with the clamps Brammo used when they built my car, even though there were various odd ones (like the Herbie Clips used on the master cylinder reservoirs). I've only needed to replace them when I was replacing the part they were connected to, or from underbody damage. The hose that blew off my Atom on the track at AtomFest 2007 was because Brammo mis-installed it when reinstalling the engine - they clamped the clip on the wrong side of the tubing flare. Hence my comment about cutting corners near the end.

[berrost]

What are the normal around town operating temps on the Ariel, I range from 175 up to 195 if stuck in traffic. Also has anyone ever held their hand above and below to forward radiator fan while its running? I seem to get a heavy blast of air above it and a slight blast of air below it - makes me thing its running in the wrong direction unless the objective is to suck air thru.......
Comments?
Help??

Thanks

[RandyLamp]

What are the normal around town operating temps on the Ariel, I range from 175 up to 195 if stuck in traffic. Also has anyone ever held their hand above and below to forward radiator fan while its running? I seem to get a heavy blast of air above it and a slight blast of air below it - makes me thing its running in the wrong direction unless the objective is to suck air thru.......
Comments?
Help??

Thanks

Sure enough there was a Brammo recall at one time by which the polarity of the fan was reversed. Some cars went out with it running backwards. I am really sketchy on the exact dates and cars affected, but reversing the fan polarity might be in your future.

[berrost]

Thanks - I will change the polarity and let others know.

[Terry Kennedy]

Sure enough there was a Brammo recall at one time by which the polarity of the fan was reversed. Some cars went out with it running backwards. I am really sketchy on the exact dates and cars affected, but reversing the fan polarity might be in your future.

Here's the text of the notice:

Please check the direction of air flow through the supercharger after cooler on your Ariel Atom.

The fan should draw the air from beneath the car through the cooling fins and into the space above the after cooler and behind the radiator. You can check for the direction of flow by placing a piece of paper above the fan. The fan should blow the paper up and away. Conversely, if the paper is placed beneath the after cooler, the air flow from the fan should draw the paper towards the after cooler.

If the after cooler fan on your Atom "pushes" the air stream through the after cooler instead of "pulling" it through as described above, then please reply to ...@brammo.com. Our Service Department will assist you in correcting the direction of flow. A pin release tool and some instruction will be required.

After the third production car, we made arrangements with the wiring harness manufacturer to reverse the pinning of the connectors. We have evidence that this has not happened consistently.