Venting the engine compartment... Anyone ever try this?
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 3
From: Chadbourn, NC
Year: 88, 89, 93 & 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I've been thinking about putting in the hood louvers or raising the back of the hood a little to release excess heat in the engine compartment when idling or crawling. The problem is that I'm not too keen on either of these (the raised hood because of the look and the vents because of the engines extra exposure to the elements). So I was thinking about mounting a small (3x3) electric fan in the firewall to pull the hot air from the engine comp. and out through the wiper cowl. I could wire it through a switch so it only runs when the temp starts to climb. Thinking of something similar to this
Whole project would run about $25. Any thoughts??
Whole project would run about $25. Any thoughts??
For fans like that(PC fans) you're looking at 25-30$ PER Fan for anything close to the 100cfm range.
Also keep in mind they aren't water proof or resistant in the slightest.
I have 2 150 CFM fans in my PC and they push a TON of air so if you got one or two of those you'd have a pretty decent venting system.
Edit: Found one for you. Two of these would work beautifully. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...&Tpk=150%20CFM
Or even better http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16835213010
Also keep in mind they aren't water proof or resistant in the slightest.
I have 2 150 CFM fans in my PC and they push a TON of air so if you got one or two of those you'd have a pretty decent venting system.
Edit: Found one for you. Two of these would work beautifully. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...&Tpk=150%20CFM
Or even better http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16835213010
Last edited by OttawaXJ; Dec 8, 2010 at 10:02 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 2
From: Allentown, Pa
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Actually, I have thought about that, aswell as installing one in the front support under my back seat to keep my amp cool. I'd like to see some other insight on this topic.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Everett, WA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
Yes it has been done before. Someone here on this forum put a small fan on the underside of his hood vents and from what I remember it really didn't make a huge difference.
Why don't you just do drip pans under a set of hood louvers? If you just want to do your own thing I can completely understand and respect that, I'm just asking.
The biggest problem I see with venting into the wiper cowl, is that any fumes or stink from the engine compartment will end up in the cabin, because that where the HVAC system pulls air.
Why don't you just do drip pans under a set of hood louvers? If you just want to do your own thing I can completely understand and respect that, I'm just asking.
The biggest problem I see with venting into the wiper cowl, is that any fumes or stink from the engine compartment will end up in the cabin, because that where the HVAC system pulls air.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I'd say just make a way for heat to escape, that'll help more than a couple little fans. Air doesn't do much water cools a lot better maybe just carry buckets of water with you lol. anyone watch Top Gear? When May took the Toyota Hilux up to an active volcano he kept his tires from melting by using a massive water tank and a trickle system lol
Trending Topics
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, Alberta
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
well when you really think about it, the specific heat capacity of water is 4 times that of air. That's why engines are liquid cooled, if you want to cool more than water system is the best way to go, or just make some holes for the heat to escape brother but I'd say don't bother with the fans... this is the combustion of gasoline lol not little electric motors. Someone made a good point, then all the engine fumes will just go strait in if you put it in the wiper cowl.
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 3
From: Chadbourn, NC
Year: 88, 89, 93 & 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I found this fan in a quick search and it's not the exact product I had in mind... I'm pretty sure with some digging around I can find a small good flowing exterior fan pretty cheap. Also thought about just putting louvers to the cowl. I haven't ruled out the hood louvers either. I like the look of some I've seen... Just giving it some thought's all
Thanks for everyone's input!
Thanks for everyone's input!
Last edited by HighRoller; Dec 8, 2010 at 10:27 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xjwolfman
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
8
Aug 26, 2020 12:59 PM
Blackxj51
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
13
Sep 9, 2015 04:25 PM
Vegas101
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
0
Sep 4, 2015 11:52 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)



