| Author |
Message |
Ken A (Zff)
New member
Username: Zff
Post Number: 11
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 4:01 am: | |
Hi Randall, my cooling system is fine, but I want to flush it. I was just wondering if I could question the conventional wisdom since the temperature here is so stable.
The thermostat definitely sounds like it needs to stay in.. thanks for that tip.
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Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 588
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 9:50 am: | |
Pure water does have better heat transfer. Water can abosorb more heat per cc then antifreeze. The boil over protection is there with af but since the system is under pressure, that alone will increase the boiling point of water as well. As stated below, af also provides some corrosion protection that even distilled water can't give you. Tell you what I did here in Alabama (it gets hot here too); Distilled water with water wetter, no af in the summer. I have never had a boil-over problem and I think the water wetter has some corrosion inhibiting benefit (if not, someone let me know) Anyway, it's only in for the hot months here. This helped lower my hot running problem. You may find that this recipe will be good for you year-round in Hawaii |
Randall Booth (Randall)
Junior Member
Username: Randall
Post Number: 115
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 2:58 am: | |
The way the coolant flows thru the thermostat directs it to the radiator. If the thermostat is removed the coolant has a tendency to just flow thru a loop in the engine, mostly bypassing the radiator.
As far as coolant goes, I've been told to use 50/50 for protection against rust.
Has your car been running warm? |
Ken A (Zff)
New member
Username: Zff
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2003 - 12:46 am: | |
Thanks for the tips, but I guess I should be more specific with my questions.
I've read that the 308 should never be operated without a thermostat. Is this because the engine is particularly intolerant of running cool? If so, I'm not at all concerned with that. Or is it because of the way the cooling system's plumbing works? I've noticed the plumbing is a bit unconventional behind the water pump.
Is the 50/50 antifreeze/water ratio really optimal for warm weather? It's my understanding that pure water is actually a superior transport for heat. I don't mind having a higher freezing point if it meant better heat dissipation. Would straight distilled water with some kind of additive or a 10/90 mixture be better for me? How thin on antifreeze could I go without significantly losing the anti-corrosion advantages? I'm not as worried about boilover because I'd simply stop driving if the car started to overheat. I pay pretty close attention to the gauges.
I'm planning to flush my cooling system, and it occured to me that the prevailing conventional wisdom with regard to cooling systems applies to states where it gets down to the 50s or below.
I'm not looking for shortcuts, I'm looking for advantages. If a thermostat protects my engine from a situation it'll never be in, why not eliminate the possibility of a sticking thermostat? If a mixture thin on antifreeze results in a superior cooling system, why not? I have ZERO risk of the coolant freezing.
Thanks |
DJParks (Djparks)
New member
Username: Djparks
Post Number: 7
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 2:18 pm: | |
1. Anti-freeze isn't only for cold weather. It also helps to prevent boil over in hot weather.
2.Most manufacturers recommend a 50/50 ratio,water/anti-freeze. The water should be DISTILLED so mineral deposits do not form in the cooling passages which prevents efficient heat transfer.
3.A good anti freeze also has corrosion inhibitors to prevent rot through of key aluminum castings like water pumps and passages in the engine block or heads. (you don't want to buy these on a regular basis).
4. The thermostat MAXIMIZES the efficiency of your cooling system during hot weather as well as preventing your engine from running too cool (not really a problem where you live).
5. Anti-freeze does wear out and needs to be refreshed or changed according to test results easily performed by yourself.
6.One of the cheaper forms of preventative maintenance on any car.
7. If I missed anything I'm sure someone else will add or correct this post.
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Ken A (Zff)
New member
Username: Zff
Post Number: 9
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 1:26 pm: | |
If you lived in a place where the temperature was always between 60-90 degrees F all year long,what would you do differently with regard to maintenance of your Ferrari?
Me and my 308QV live in Hawaii, and the temperature here probably stays within that 60-90F range 360 days a year.
Would you use antifreeze if you knew your coolant would never freeze? What ratio?
With other cars I've owned, I'd toss the thermostat and not replace it if it were misbehaving. Not having a thermostat's never been a problem, but is that a good idea with a Ferrari?
It's also more humid here, on average, than most places. Would that require any special maintenance adjustments? |