Overheating and Heaters

[CyFi6]

What would you use as an anti-freeze to water ratio? I'm using around 1.5litres of anti-freeze and maybe 3-4 litres of water?

Also, without wanting to sound too nooby, what's a good method for pressure testing? :1zhelp:

You should be using a 50/50 mix, equal amount of water and antifreeze

its the other way around. the water is better at cooling and transfering heat. the antifreeze does exactly that. it prevents the water from freezing. having too much water will never cause a problem unless your in freezing temps. having too much coolent on the other hand is bad becasue it doesn't transfer heat near as good as water and will cause overheating. and use distilled water so your system doesn't corrode.

Thought its true water does transfer heat better, and antifreeze does lower the freezing point of the coolant, one of the other major functions of the antifreeze is to raise the boiling point. And yea if you use too much antifreeze it wont be able to transfer heat as well either, so getting it right at 50/50 which most manufacturers recommend is critical.

Heres a little article that explains it better than i can.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cooling-system3.htm

 

[Poodles]

Yep, the combination of water and coolant has the largest range between freezing and boiling compared to either one alone(one of the tests we did in high school).

Pressure test the system. The pressure is what also keeps the coolant from boiling. Had it happen many times where a pinhole leak will cause the pressure to escape, coolant boils, and then the pressure spikes from the steam. This can happen even without a visible leak. Radiator cap is a prime suspect for this...

 

[IJ.]

If the Valve on the firewall is up and you still don't get heat there's a chance the Amplifier in the Climate Control has taken a dump, this controls the Mixer door on the actual heater box so even if the Heater Core is fullOhot coolant you're still gonna freeze.

My car had this issue when I first got it and it took me a LONG time to isolate and repair it.

 

[D4MJT]

Post Deleted

 

[D4MJT]

Post Deleted

 

[noel]

my car hasnt overheated yet and i have no coolant hoses going to my heater matrix.... and my hot a/c works is thsi a problem??

 

[easternguy2005]

Fill the radiator with coolant when cold, and overflow 1/2 way. Drive it. Look at the overflow and see if it is full. Come back when it's cold and see if overflow is now empty. You can also put a empty soda bottle from the overflow to the soda bottle so while driving the soda bottle fills up.
If in doubt get the coolant combustion tester at a napa (never a part available) store.

I played this game of "is it bled" for a while before it really blew. Rest assured a BHG only gets worse never better.

 

[dumbo]

like that ones before me, dont give up yet f****** prove it man. shit if there aint water in the oil, i cant see you wrecking a LOT of shit. anyone???

EDIT: I wouldn't BEAT the FUCK out of it though in the meantime