steering wheel
steering wheel
Hi guy's and happy new year. Couple of questions, while taking off the radiator to change the thermostat which was a piece of cake to do thanks to all on this site, I noticed that there was a second air intake pipe beneath the normal intake but this one went into the back of the alternator,
does anyone know why. The second is I was given a new steering wheel off my wife for Xmas. I've taken the airbag off but can't free the wheel nut, its really stuck. Is it a left hand thread? Thanks.
Mod Edit: Triple post cleaned up and replies merged into one thread. R.
does anyone know why. The second is I was given a new steering wheel off my wife for Xmas. I've taken the airbag off but can't free the wheel nut, its really stuck. Is it a left hand thread? Thanks.
Mod Edit: Triple post cleaned up and replies merged into one thread. R.
Re: steering wheel
My 1997 Z the steering wheel was just a normal thread 16 mm i think one good crack to the left and it was off
Si-forks on tapatalk
Si-forks on tapatalk
E30 318 1988 Gone
E36 320 1992 Gone
E36 328 1995 write off
E39 525d M Sport 2003 Current
E37 Z3 M44B1.9 1997 Current
E36 320 1992 Gone
E36 328 1995 write off
E39 525d M Sport 2003 Current
E37 Z3 M44B1.9 1997 Current
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- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
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Re: steering wheel
A cold air intake to the alternator? What do you think it's for . . . cooling of course! Even a Meerkat could figure that one out!
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: steering wheel
Mike Fishwick wrote:A cold air intake to the alternator? What do you think it's for . . . cooling of course! Even a Meerkat could figure that one out!
Tim.
Re: steering wheel
Sarcastic arse, I only asked!!
Re: steering wheel
Any pics if the steering wheel installed Wyn?wyn02 wrote:Sarcastic arse, I only asked!!
Tim.
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Re: steering wheel
Oh dear - I am starting the New Year after annoying yet another over-sensitive soul!
I was not being sarcastic, but was amused by your inability to perform the simple calulation of: Cold air inlet +Alternator = Cooling for alternator. Did you really need to ask?
At least I bothered to answer your question, which is more than anyone else did!
Why are people so touchy these days . . .
I was not being sarcastic, but was amused by your inability to perform the simple calulation of: Cold air inlet +Alternator = Cooling for alternator. Did you really need to ask?
At least I bothered to answer your question, which is more than anyone else did!
Why are people so touchy these days . . .
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: steering wheel
Mike,ever thought about a career in The Diplomatic Service, or Acas?
Z3lda (Zelda), 1998 2.8, Montreal Blue, Beige Oregon leather interior and M steering wheel, Sports Seats, Wood trim, Chrome Line Interior, Centre armrest with Cupholder, Alpina Softline wheels, Chromed Angel Eyes, De- tango'd, Rear stone guards, Sport aerial, ASC front strut brace, Strong Strut Butt Strut and Body Brace, Uprated brake fluid, Yellowstuff pads 78k.
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Re: steering wheel
You can only reply to the question if you know the answer.At the age of 52,I've learn't something I didn't know,namely,alternators benefit from cold air being directed on to them.I have a further question but I'm too frightened to ask!!!!
Re: steering wheel
Chicken!
Z3lda (Zelda), 1998 2.8, Montreal Blue, Beige Oregon leather interior and M steering wheel, Sports Seats, Wood trim, Chrome Line Interior, Centre armrest with Cupholder, Alpina Softline wheels, Chromed Angel Eyes, De- tango'd, Rear stone guards, Sport aerial, ASC front strut brace, Strong Strut Butt Strut and Body Brace, Uprated brake fluid, Yellowstuff pads 78k.
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Re: steering wheel
Rich,you're just after a ride in my zed,hope little Zedonist is keeping well?
- BladeRunner919
- Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
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Re: steering wheel
Go on, I dare you!!geminimustang wrote:I have a further question but I'm too frightened to ask!!!!
Re: steering wheel
I will answer any question, but it may not be the correct answer.
I have to ask, why on earth would you want a cold feed to an alternator as I'm unaware they get hot Or is Mike pulling your chain
Tim.
I have to ask, why on earth would you want a cold feed to an alternator as I'm unaware they get hot Or is Mike pulling your chain
Tim.
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- Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
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- Location: Daglan, France
Alternaor Cooling
Well - think about it - on full load our alternator can produce an output current of 90 amps, which at 14 volts works out at 1260 watts. A typical three-phase alternator operates at an efficiency of around 80%, so 20% of the output power is wasted as heat - or 250 watts.
Think of this as four 60 watt headlamp bulbs, which if contained within an enclosure the size of an alternator would make it quite hot, even without the heat it absorbs from the radiator etc.
The external cooling fan fitted to most alternators would simply draw in hot air from the radiator, in addition to its internal 250 watt heating effect on full load - when the alternator is charging the battery and feeding headlamps etc. In hot countries such as California, of course, the situation is even worse.
So - some form of cold air inlet is a good idea, which will feed the internal cooling fan and pass through the alternator to extract heat from the rotor and stator, so providing good cooling in all conditions.
Large alternators on ships (typically 500 or 650 kilowatts) frequently have a sealed primary cooling air system, with an air/sea water cooler to extract the heat and throw it overboard, while really massive alternators in power stations (typically of 1200 megawatts) use a closed primary cooling system of pressurised hydrogen, which usually passes the heat into the cooling water system.
Think of this as four 60 watt headlamp bulbs, which if contained within an enclosure the size of an alternator would make it quite hot, even without the heat it absorbs from the radiator etc.
The external cooling fan fitted to most alternators would simply draw in hot air from the radiator, in addition to its internal 250 watt heating effect on full load - when the alternator is charging the battery and feeding headlamps etc. In hot countries such as California, of course, the situation is even worse.
So - some form of cold air inlet is a good idea, which will feed the internal cooling fan and pass through the alternator to extract heat from the rotor and stator, so providing good cooling in all conditions.
Large alternators on ships (typically 500 or 650 kilowatts) frequently have a sealed primary cooling air system, with an air/sea water cooler to extract the heat and throw it overboard, while really massive alternators in power stations (typically of 1200 megawatts) use a closed primary cooling system of pressurised hydrogen, which usually passes the heat into the cooling water system.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Re: steering wheel
i knew that
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Re: steering wheel
My further question is a). Is this cooling still seen on today's cars or only seen on older models.Seems a very antiquated way of cooling,e.g. A bit of pipe.
Re: steering wheel
I agree with geminimustang. Lots of cars don't have such ducting and my 4-cylinder Z3 hasn't got it. It seems to be a feature of the 6-cylinder engines. I assume its down to a combination of a packed engine bay and small front grills.
Re: steering wheel
Some of the 5 series and X5's have watercooled alternators.
Brian
Brian
Brian
3.0I Topaz Blue
2000 E36/7 Z3 3.0i
2016 F31 335d
2015 F21 118i
3.0I Topaz Blue
2000 E36/7 Z3 3.0i
2016 F31 335d
2015 F21 118i
Re: steering wheel
Something else to go wrong . A bit of air pipe can be easily improvised.Brian4 wrote:Some of the 5 series and X5's have watercooled alternators.
Brian
Pingu
Re: steering wheel
Thanks for a sensible answer. Til today I too never knew an alternator needed cooling. Thanks every one.
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Re: steering wheel
There is a cold air intake for the exhaust side of the engine, but that on the inlet side is used to hopefully feed the air filter - if the air can stop, reverse its flow, and turn an acute left-hand bend! A lot of cars are supplied with sufficient cold are around the alternator.
A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!