Radiator Coolant Additive's ?????
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From: Miami
Radiator Coolant Additive's ?????
Has anybody ever used those additives that you add to your Radiator and claim to drop Temp's by 30 to 40 degrees. I see a whole S@$T load of them on the market now! Any testimonial's out there.
Thanks Al
Thanks Al
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Northwest
The reason they work is because if you follow the directions on the bottle you will notice that they recomend you run less antifreeze than normal......... (heat transfer is better with less antifreeze)
Your in FL ? ........ Just run strait water with some anti corosion additive.
Your in FL ? ........ Just run strait water with some anti corosion additive.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
Originally Posted by Steina
If you have air conditioning, DON'T use plain water without antifreeze - you run the risk of freezing/cracking your heater core.
Steve
Steve
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Pikachu -
On "MAX AC" there's no coolant flow thru the heater core - if the AC gets cold enough to freeze the condensate when the drain is plugged, it can sure freeze plain water in the core. On the regular AC setting there's no problem.
Steve
On "MAX AC" there's no coolant flow thru the heater core - if the AC gets cold enough to freeze the condensate when the drain is plugged, it can sure freeze plain water in the core. On the regular AC setting there's no problem.
Steve
Lead Driver
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From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
I can see what you are saying, but most vehicles do have coolant flow, even on max. Mine sure did; I had to install a ball valve to stop it. If you are freezing condensate, the A/C system needs work.
Have you actually seen this happen, or are you theorizing?
Have you actually seen this happen, or are you theorizing?
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Pikachu -
I don't know about most vehicles, just the ones I've owned recently; my wife's 1994 and 2000 Regals and my 2002 Explorer had the valve, as does my 2004 Explorer.
If the condensate is freezing it's almost always caused by a plugged drain or dirty evap coil that holds the water. I've unplugged 4 or 5 drains for friends over the years and that's cleared their problem.
The reason for my original reply was because Patrick_PDX suggested using plain water (not recommended in newer cars). If ALSAIR doesn't have AC, no problem. If he does, then IMHO he shouldn't use plain water. WILL he crack the heater core - probably not. CAN it crack - you bet, under the right circumstances. I've changed one heater core and I'll never do another - it's quite a hassle.
Steve
I don't know about most vehicles, just the ones I've owned recently; my wife's 1994 and 2000 Regals and my 2002 Explorer had the valve, as does my 2004 Explorer.
If the condensate is freezing it's almost always caused by a plugged drain or dirty evap coil that holds the water. I've unplugged 4 or 5 drains for friends over the years and that's cleared their problem.
The reason for my original reply was because Patrick_PDX suggested using plain water (not recommended in newer cars). If ALSAIR doesn't have AC, no problem. If he does, then IMHO he shouldn't use plain water. WILL he crack the heater core - probably not. CAN it crack - you bet, under the right circumstances. I've changed one heater core and I'll never do another - it's quite a hassle.
Steve
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From: Northwest
I still stand by my original reply. Water with corrosion inhibitor added. NO anti freeze.
The original question was whether or not additives that claim to lower temperatures actually work. My reply was that they do work but more than likely because the directions say to cut back on the amount of antifreeze in the system. They probably also contain anti foaming agents ....... but so does most corrosion inhibitors. But then again...... plain waters not foamy
Plain water cools the best. But I would definatley mix it with some corrosion inhibitor.
And for the hardcore motorheads......... if you want your engine to run cool as possible.......... drill 3 -3/16 holes in your thermostat housing, this will allow more flow even when the thermostat is open and it still keep the engine in the correct temperature operating range as per the thermostat temp. And if applicable....... plug the waterpump block bypass..... this will also create more flow thru the radiator.
Do not attempt these modification in the Northern states, as it will take forever to come up to operating temperature in the winter, if at all.
The original question was whether or not additives that claim to lower temperatures actually work. My reply was that they do work but more than likely because the directions say to cut back on the amount of antifreeze in the system. They probably also contain anti foaming agents ....... but so does most corrosion inhibitors. But then again...... plain waters not foamy
Plain water cools the best. But I would definatley mix it with some corrosion inhibitor.
And for the hardcore motorheads......... if you want your engine to run cool as possible.......... drill 3 -3/16 holes in your thermostat housing, this will allow more flow even when the thermostat is open and it still keep the engine in the correct temperature operating range as per the thermostat temp. And if applicable....... plug the waterpump block bypass..... this will also create more flow thru the radiator.
Do not attempt these modification in the Northern states, as it will take forever to come up to operating temperature in the winter, if at all.
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