Mark, Mercedes uses a pan as well, but to contain the engine noise.
They have NASA ducts to help cooling, especially on the turbo on the
diesel, which needs cooling.
A fan shroud prevents the back flow of hot air from the radiator from
going back into the front of the radiator at rest, and a air dam help
this further, plus at speed it creates a low pressure area in back of
the dam to help pull the air through the radiator and past the engine.
From what I know of other cars a pan under the engine would not be that
efficient, as the heat transfer is primarily through the radiator, and
not the engine, and as long as the condition above are met this is
accomplished.
Larry
CoolVT@aol.com wrote:
>On the subject of cooling .....recently I was looking at a parts book from an
>aftermarket supplier for my Volvo 240. They described the standard belly
>pan under the car and said that Volvo recommended that the pan always be in
>place to both keep the steering mechanism clear of debris and to aid in
>cooling.
>Their claim is that the pan prevents the hot air from being thrown down
>under the car and then drawn back up to the fan again. Instead it is forced
>straight back over the engine. There is also the usual fan shroud.
>
>I know there has been discussion on the list of using an asymmetrical fan to
>prevent this occurrence, but I don't think I've ever heard the consideration
>of a belly pan. Volvo designers are not stupid people and would not spend the
>money on the pan if they didn't think it was necessary. So, has this been
>considered and what is the opinion on it? The pan goes from about the front
>bumper, back to just under the engine and pretty much covers everything side
>to
>side.
>Mark L.
>
>
>
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