Liquid cooled vs. air cooled?

Question

Liquid cooled vs. air cooled?

Answer 1

Heat is a problem for an engine. Liquid cooling deals with this problem much better than air cooling but adds complexity and weight and cost. But not only is engine life extended, a liquid cooled engine is quieter, and most importantly liquid cooling allows engineering upgrades that would cause destructive heat problems for an air-cooled engine, these upgrades greatly add to the horsepower and overall performance of an engine. I can't think of a 4-cylinder air cooled motorcycle. And some two cylinder air cooled engines have problems with overheating, like the Buel.



Everything being equal, a liquid cooled engine is going to last longer. But maintenance and the kind of riding can also be a huge factor in engine life, so a badly maintained, hard ridden water cooled could easily only have 1/3 the life of a well maintained conscientiously ridden air-cooled.

Answer 2

shadouse is absolutely right. if you are talking about off road

4 strokes. most liquid cooled 4 strokes are built with very tight tolerances with nicaseal cylinders for very high performance with the least amount of weight. this will wear out a engine very fast. for example, take a 400EX Honda and a 450R Honda and run the balls off them both, the 400EX will out last the 450R engine 3 times. if all things were equal between 2 engines but one was liquid cooled and one was air cooled, i think the liquid cooled would be better/ last longer. but the reason they went with liquid cooling is to make more power out of less motor. this results in less life.

Answer 3

Air Cooling Vs Water Cooling

Answer 4

Water Cooling Vs Air Cooling

Answer 5

I have both, but riding throuh Dallas & Ft Worth when the summer hits 100+ I prefer my liquid cooled FZX700, it's hot but doesn't seem to boil off as much heat as my older KZ just depends on what you like, where you ride and if you get into much traffic. Enduro, single cylinder & 2 cylinder air cooled bikes are not as bad putting off heat as inline 4 air cooled bikes like the Bandit, Zeypher, Nighthawk, Seca II, for examples.

Answer 6

could we change this question to 4 wheelers, not ridden hard, always garaged and well maintained

Answer 7

Liquid cooled machines run at more of a constant temperature so the parts expand and contract at a constant rate.

This also allows for closer tolerances, that is, for the parts of fit closer together, so they don't wear as quickly.

Answer 8

Less heat equals less damage to the motor . I have an oil cooler on my bike as well as liquid. every year i see a hog overheating in a traffic jam no air no cool.

Answer 9

Reduced number of hot spots, especially when stuck in traffic. Lower temps reduce possibility of cracking the jugs or the block.

Answer 10

It is a rumor. There are plenty of air cooled engines that last a very long time. A liquid cooled engine is usually more stressed to produce more horsepower so they have to be liquid cooled to keep the temp down. A liquid cooled engine will also last a long time. It really depends on maintenance and how you ride.



Be safe!

Answer 11

This Site Might Help You.



RE:

Liquid cooled vs. air cooled?

I've heard that having a liquid cooled motorcycle will make it last longer than an air cooled bike.

Why would this be the case?

Answer 12

liquid cooled for dirt bikes and quads. because you pretty much just burn out and make lots of turns and don't really get lots of speed. on air cooled you have to drive a lot so the wind cools it. and if you just stay there don't move while its running it doesn't cool down. but on liquid cooled it cools it. i only like liquid cools and 2 strokes. just my thing..

Answer 13

Liquid all day long !

Answer 14

It depends on many factors

Answer 15

inshort the bike runs cooler if it is liquid cooled....