Charge cooler pump - does it have to be at lowest point?
Charge cooler pump - does it have to be at lowest point?
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Pupp

Original Poster:

12,976 posts

302 months

Monday 12th August 2013
quotequote all
Trying to find a home for a charge cooler pump on a new install... perceived wisdom is it should be at lowest point on the cooler circuit, but best physical place on the car is quite toward the top. Assuming it is bled properly so all air is excluded (big assumption I know), any views on whether it will work (ie circulate coolant without cavitating)? Car water pumps are often pretty well up on the circuit height, no?

Mikey G

4,894 posts

270 months

Monday 12th August 2013
quotequote all
Most engine water pumps are low to mid way up the circuit. I noticed the auxiliary electric water pump fitted to most VAG cars are quite high in the water circuit near the top of the radiator.
But the lower the better as long as you have some sort of gravity feed for the pump to work with, the more the pump has to pull water the more chance of cavitation and air locks.

stevieturbo

18,084 posts

277 months

Monday 12th August 2013
quotequote all
Car pumps are mounted where it is practical really.

As long as all air is removed, I wouldnt worry too much.

just make sure it is a decent quality pump with plenty of flow. No weedy little pumps.

anonymous-user

84 months

Monday 12th August 2013
quotequote all
It will be easiest to bleed if the pump is vertically below the header tank, and quite close to it. However, as the flow rate is quite slow, assuming you don't have a long and tortuous layout (i.e rear engine, front LTR etc) it should bleed up fine. Ideally, you would include a small air bleed from the highest point in the circut post CC water exit, as that would enable the system to self bleed during operation (and in case you ever boil the system, which you can do if it is not presurised etc)

Pupp

Original Poster:

12,976 posts

302 months

Tuesday 13th August 2013
quotequote all
Thanks all; very helpful - it is a decent sized pump, hence why finding a likely home for the blighter is proving a challenge.