Bulletproof cooling system
(→ALUMINUM RADIATORS) |
(→What You Put In Your Cooling System) |
||
| Line 112: | Line 112: | ||
Sometimes the key to a bulletproof system is what you put in it and how. You can't just open the rad cap and dump whatever in it. It is recognized that a 50 - 50 mixture of water and antifreeze is an approved OEM mixture that should be adequate for most vehicles. | Sometimes the key to a bulletproof system is what you put in it and how. You can't just open the rad cap and dump whatever in it. It is recognized that a 50 - 50 mixture of water and antifreeze is an approved OEM mixture that should be adequate for most vehicles. | ||
| − | In most cases, water is the | + | In most cases, water is the basis of coolant in most systems. Can the water that you start with have a detrimental affect on your cooling system? Yes! Water is not necessarily clean and free from contaminates. Water can contain acid, alkaline, foreign matter, etc. These contaminates can combine with the metal within the cooling system and contribute to plugging or slowing down the flow within the system. Today, you will find about 10 different antifreeze products and about 30 different additives for your cooling system. WHY do you need them? Good question! |
| − | Your OEM dealer and manufacturer | + | Your OEM dealer and manufacturer want you to use an approved 50 - 50 mix of antifreeze and water because they know and approve the source of that water and the glycol contained in that gallon jug. They know that the formula for that mix will not harm the internal metals or seals within that engine's cooling system. They also know from past experience and warranty replacement that the ditch water and pond scum that you mixed with 30 known additives that you put in your cooling system has cost them (and yourself) billions of dollars over the years. Engineers have formulated cooling system cocktails for the most elaborate machines on earth, so why not use them? |
| − | When you are refilling your cooling system, the rad cap is open, and you pour directly into the system until it is full. Full means, a level one inch less than the cap height. The engine should be warmed up | + | When you are refilling your cooling system, the rad cap is open, and you pour directly into the system until it is full. Full means, a level one inch less than the cap height. The engine should be warmed up and running at a fast idle of 1000 to 1200 rpm's. The engine is run until you can see movement in the rad and a slight steam rises from the open cap outlet. If you have a gauge, verify that the temperature is at operating temperate of 160 to 195 degrees. The cap is placed on the rad outlet and turned until tight with the arrows aligned to point at the overflow outlet. The overflow bottle should be within its limits which is usually marked on the container walls. |
When you are adding to the system, do not open the rad cap, add directly to the reservoir tank. | When you are adding to the system, do not open the rad cap, add directly to the reservoir tank. | ||
Your Privacy Choices