Topic: Where to moount a power steering cooler?

[jfrabat]

I just bought a small oil cooler (radiator) to finally take care of my power steering overheating problems.  As some of you recall, my PS pump is whining a bit after installing the HydroBoost, especially when I am giving either the brakes or the power steering a good workout.  To solve this problem, I bought a small oil cooler, but still need to decide the best location to install it.  My first idea was the obvious one; in front of the AC condenser.  however, (1) I am not yet sure it will fit (it is small, but not so thin), and (2) I am a bit afraid that when playing in the mud, I will clog it up on the first mud hole (much as I do with the radiator!).  So I was thinking maybe over the drivers' side fender or something.  I know it will not get much of an airflow there, but it should be a lot better than before regardless (not only because of the cooling, but also because of the increased amount of fluid).  What do you guys think?

I'll post a picture of the cooler later on...

[Bounty Hunter]

While not as ideal as behind the grill with forced airflow, it will work well anywhere due to the increased fluid capacity and surface area.  I run mine behind the grill, and generally avoid grill deep mud.

[sharpxmen]

since you have a snorkel you can take advantage of the hole under the headlight on the driver's side, you could just mount it there vertically. It has to be lower than your P/S tank though (top of the rad below the p/s tank bottom port) and make sure the inlet and outlet in the rad are on top.

of course ideal position would be in front of the engine rad (or a/c condenser in your case) as you probably need it most when you're barely moving so the e-fan would provide some needed airflow thru there. The delta current control unit you ordered (the FK85 i believe) has a setting for 10% constant airflow at the fan which i would think would be a good option while on the trail and crawling.

[neale_rs]

I vote for just behind the grill regardless of the clogging. When you unclog the water radiator you will take care of this one too, and this one is not as critical as the water radiator.

[jfrabat]

I vote for just behind the grill regardless of the clogging. When you unclog the water radiator you will take care of this one too, and this one is not as critical as the water radiator.

That's a good point; And at least I can mount it a bit higher up...  Anyway, I decided to let this one sleep for a while, as I am concentrating on getting the Jeep ready for our club's Jamboree next friday (and I still got a ton of stuff to do this weekend).

[Jeffy]

I can't see the hole for the air box really doing much.  If you bought a cylindrical cooler you could mount it to the bottom of the grill.  if you bought a flat cooler, I'd probably just mount it in front of the condenser.  Now if you could support it properly, you could mount it forward of the condenser so it's not adding more heat to it.

The other option is to mount it whereever you can and duct air direct to it.  Or even get a fan for it.

[FourbangerYJ]

For a muddy environment I would think a heat sink style would be better than the tube and fin style. Mud and gunk can't get into those tiny fins. Put it behind the grill and in front of the rad.

[sharpxmen]

I can't see the hole for the air box really doing much. 

you don't need much though, it's not the same amount of flow as you'd have for the engine coolant and not the same amount of heat needed to release either, a little airflow should be plenty. Only problem with that location is when you're crawling or at a standstill working the steering and the brakes (in his case).

Of course in front of the rad is better but if space is an issue it should be fine there too as long as you're moving so there's some airflow.

[brokenwrist21]

all this talk of power steering coolers got me thinking, when i bought my aluminum radiator the automatic trans cooler hookups are plugged. so i was thinking couldnt i just the atf cooler in the radiator as a power steering cooler.

[jfrabat]

all this talk of power steering coolers got me thinking, when i bought my aluminum radiator the automatic trans cooler hookups are plugged. so i was thinking couldnt i just the atf cooler in the radiator as a power steering cooler.

I thought about that one, but I am a bit worried about the flow...  Although it should be enough, I guess...