[Healeys] Coolant change

[Bob Spidell]

I'm going to answer my own question: the lubricant is for the seal, which is a ceramic against a machined metal surface (not the bearings, obviously). 


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Oh boy! A 'hot' (pun intended) topic right up there with oil and tires ;) 

'Coolant'--to my pedantic eye--is a mixture of water and antifreeze. The antifreeze is mostly ethylene glycol--some use propylene glycol, which is non-toxic but slightly less efficient--with some pump lubricant* and corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor is a mild acid that gets 'used up' over time: 

http://www.google.com/patents/US6096236 

Usually, coolant life is expressed in miles; modern formulations can go over 100K miles before recommended change-out, but since our Healeys aren't going to be driven that much time becomes the issue (iron engines will rust just sitting). I would say change it every 5 years or so (which might only be a few thousand miles of driving for some owners). 

I believe the 'waterless' coolants are mostly propylene glycol and are quite a bit more expensive than ethylene glycol formulations. You'd still need to change it out when the corrosion inhibitors get used up; IMO it's a gimmick. 

Bob 

* it just occurred to me that the only thing that needs lubricating in a water pump is the bearings, but the last thing you want in the bearings is water. Am I missing something? 


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