[Healeys] Coolant change

[David Masucci]

I think you're lubricating the seal that keeps the water away from the bearing...and from your driveway. 


Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone-------- Original message --------From: Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> Date: 11/5/2015  12:51 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: Daniel White <healeydan at wowway.com> Cc: healeys <Healeys at autox.team.net> Subject: Re: [Healeys] Coolant change 
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?


From: "Daniel White" <healeydan at wowway.com>
To: "healeys" <Healeys at autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 5, 2015 5:53:14 AM
Subject: [Healeys] Coolant change

I've searched the archives looking for any discussion regarding how often to change the coolant in the BN7.  If the answer is there...I missed it.  I'm running a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and tap water and it tests o.k. as far as freeze protection.  This mix has been in the system for a number of years.  Does coolant "go bad" with age?  Any thoughts about the waterless coolant being sold on the market?
Thanks,
Dan White
1962 BN7 Mk II

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