Technical Is running temp altered by coolant/water mix?

[Sando]

Since my car was in for a service and had the coolant changed, it has run ever so slightly higher. Nothing to worry about, just a degree or so. I was just wondering if the mix that is put in affects the temperature? i.e. More water = lower and more coolant = higher and vice versa.

Matt

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54 BHP of pure italian muscle

 

[mic.neale]

i was running a pure coolent mix because i was told it wouldnt effect the car and the car was over heating like mad. topped it up with water and the temp came down a touch, so after a few days topping up with water i managed to get the temp to even out.

The person who owned the car b4 me was running pure water... this ment that the rad and water pump had totally rusted through by the time i had hold of the car.

hope this helps

whos is the little red fiat?

 

[Sando]

The little Red Fiat is just an avatar I nicked from Google...my little Red Fiat is pretty much the same anyway!

Matt

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54 BHP of pure italian muscle

 

[John H]

Originally posted by Sando
Since my car was in for a service and had the coolant changed, it has run ever so slightly higher. Nothing to worry about, just a degree or so. I was just wondering if the mix that is put in affects the temperature? i.e. More water = lower and more coolant = higher and vice versa.

Matt

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54 BHP of pure italian muscle

At the sort of mixture it should have had in, before and after, I wouldn't expect much difference.

I'd worry that they haven't bled the system properlyB)[xx(]

Next is a blown head gasket:
there are too many failures shortly after 36k / 3 years service (with coolant change) for it to be a coincidence IMHO.

 

[Sando]

I'd worry that they haven't bled the system properly

Why does that affect the head gasket?

there are too many failures shortly after 36k / 3 years service (with coolant change) for it to be a coincidence IMHO.

Isnt that the expected life then if they always fail after about 36k? How can I spot a failing one before it fails?

Matt

__________________________________________________

54 BHP of pure italian muscle

 

[John H]

Originally posted by Sando

I'd worry that they haven't bled the system properly

Why does that affect the head gasket?

How can I spot a failing one before it fails?

Matt

OK then. In stages. AIUI..


The coolant mixture is used to take the waste heat out of the engine.

This mixture needs to be in contact with all the insides of the engine that it was designed to cool.

If you have a quantity of air trapped in there the part of the head or block without the cooling water next to it will overheat.

Aluminium cylinder heads warp when overheated.

The gasket, which forms a gas and liquid tight seal between the block and head, isn't tightly compressed anymore and fails.


You'll then get any or all of the following symptoms:

Exhaust gases in your coolant (probably CO, which can be tested for for teens of UKP, so you don't have to guess if it's failed)

Oil in your coolant - pretty colours on top.

Water in your oil: mayo under the rocker cover.

Coolant loss - pushed out by the gasses leaking into the cooling.

Originally posted by Sando


Isnt that the expected life then if they always fail after about 36k?

Matt

Sounds like a recipe for going out of business to me.
Oh dear, maybe they are..

 

[Sando]

So unless I have all or some of the symptoms...the head gasket isnt likely to go.

Matt

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54 BHP of pure italian muscle

 

[John H]

Symptoms are after the event: too late.. it is an ex head gasket.. etc

Read Petes excellant FAQ

http://www.fiatcentral.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1948

which I should have remembered to mention before.

 

[Sando]

read it. You've got me worried now...git!

So what should I look out for? The temp is about 1 degree warmer now than it was. Thats the only diffrence.

Matt

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54 BHP of pure italian muscle

 

[John H]

Originally posted by Sando
read it. You've got me worried now...git!

So what should I look out for? The temp is about 1 degree warmer now than it was. Thats the only diffrence.

Matt

I think we're going back to where this thread started:

Some work has been done on the cooling system of the car.
It's running hotter than it did - so what's changed??

It's possible the system isn't bled properly - take it back to the garage that did the work and tell them you're concerned, or bleed it yourself...

 

[Sando]

1 degree though?

Matt

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54 BHP of pure italian muscle

 

[HP]

Can you tell 1 degree on the gauge, or do you mean 10?

Pete.
Cinq sporting 1242cc
Cinqs&Seis Yahoo group
Clubcento

 

[Sando]

Seriousley is ever soooo slightly higher, I wouldnt have noticed other than I am pretty conscious since my rad blew up!

On normal running the needle is about a millimetre below the mark below 90 degrees. Now it is about half a millimetre below. BUT all day yestterday it was as it has always been.

I really need to get out more!

Matt

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54 BHP of pure italian muscle