Why
A Cooling System?
Your engine creates up to 5,000 degrees
of heat within the combustion chamber. Enough heat to m-e-l-t the entire
engine in less than 30 minutes! Approximately 1/3 of gasolines energy is
converted into usable power to propel the vehicle, 1/3 of the energy is
dissipated out through the exhaust system, and the remaining 1/3 is carried
off by the cooling system. Today's lighter weight engine designs result
in higher efficiency and better emission control, but they also place greater
and greater demands on the operational efficiency of the modern
pressurized cooling system. When you learn
the TRUTHS of the modern cooling system You'll be better able to
avoid the costly
CONSEQUENCES that often result from simple neglect
or lack of understanding.
How
Does A Cooling System Work?
Coolant, which is a mixture of water and
ethylene glycol(anti-freeze) is pumped throughout the engines water jacket
drawing heat from the head, pistons, combustion chambers, cylinder walls,
valves, etc. The heated coolant travels from the water jacket through a
radiator hose, to the radiator, where aided by a fan, it's air cooled and
returned via the other radiator hose, to the engine. Gas is SAVED
and engine life INCREASED when the cooling system quickly
reaches and maintains a very narrow operational range regardless
of outside temperature extremes or engine load demands. Upon engine start-up,
the temperature must rise quickly, and then remain balanced - not too hot
and not too cold! It's important to understand
how the condition of the coolant, and the condition of cooling system components
can effect the operational economy and life of your engine.
Why
Is The Condition Of The Coolant Important?
Auto manufactures have learned that a balanced
coolant solution of water and ethylene glycol is an ideal mixture to carry
off heat, under a wide variety of outside temperature extremes and operational
loads (air conditioning, boat or trailer towing, etc.). As long as the
coolant is maintained at the proper mixture, protection against freezing
will continue indefinitely! Anti-freeze manufacturers recommend periodic
replacement of coolant because "inhibitors" added to the anti-freeze naturally
wear-out during normal coolant circulation. These inhibitors are very important
because they help prevent the formation of rust and corrosion, a prime
cause of leaks and seepage. Leaks may occur both internally and externally
at any of 20 or more different component connection points within the conditions
are right for the damaging (and expensive) occurrence of leaks and seepage.
Although only an ounce or so by weight, inhibitors
must be present within the coolant AT ALL TIMES is the system
is to function properly.
How
Does The Thermostat Work?
Often called the "watchdog of the cooling
system", the thermostat is a temperature controlled valve which opens at
a specific 192 or 195 degrees, etc. depending on vehicle manufacturers
specifications. During engine start up, most engines incorporate a by-pass
to quickly circulate coolant just through the block. As this coolant is
heated to the operational temperature of the thermostat, the thermostat
valve opens, allowing the coolant to circulate through the radiator. The
thermostat cycles hundreds of times a day during normal driving, and will
fail to remain sensitive to small temperature changes if subjected to corrosion
or slime build-up caused by worn out coolant inhibitors. The thermostat
is just one of the cooling system components where seepage may occur.
How
Does The Radiator Pressure Cap Work?
The pressure cap is similar to the safety
valve found on a kitchen pressure cooker. The pressure cap seals the operating
cooling system forcing the hot pressurized coolant to carry approximately
50 more degrees of heat than the normal (212) boiling point of water. When
seepage or leaks have reduced the quantity of coolant, the temperature
rises, forcing open the pressure valve, causing even more coolant to escape.
The pressure valve also operates under
normal conditions. When the cooling system pressure exceeds the rated pressure
of the cap, the hot coolant escapes and overflows under the pressure valve
and bottom seal of the cap and into the coolant reservoir tank. After the
engine is shut down and begins to cool, the temperature, and therefore
the pressure, drops to a point of slight partial vacuum equal to the task
of siphoning the overflow coolant back from the reservoir tank, through
the vacuum valve of the radiator cap, thereby continually maintaining the
radiator at full capacity.
The desired siphoning action will only
take place if the entire cooling system is free of all leaks and seepage.
What
Are The Advantages Of A Full Radiator?
Prior to the wide spread use of the reservoir
tank (begun in the early '70's) expanded coolant escaped through the pressure
cap, down the over-flow hose and was wasted on the road. This left 2 or
3 inches of air space in the top of the radiator. Many motorists, not understanding
the operation of the older type cooling system would periodically refill
the radiator, usually with water only, thereby further reducing freeze
and inhibitor protection of the engines cooling system. Additional problems
resulted, because the top air in the radiator mixed with the circulating
coolant causing the coolant to foam. foamed coolant traps heat within engine
damage. A properly designed reservoir tank eliminates the air through the
pressure cap into the top of the radiator. The reservoir will not work
if the cooling system has any leaks or seepage, if the radiator cap is
fouled with debris or the cap seals are damaged.
What
Should I Know About The Water Pump?
The "water pump", more properly termed the
coolant pump, moves coolant through the cooling system at volume levels
that correspond to the speed of the engine. For instance, at highway speeds,
the hot coolant flows at rates of up to 5,000 gallons per hour! Pump breakdown
may occur when:
-
The drive belt has broken or slips on the
pump pully requiring replacement or adjustment.
-
The impellers within the pump have rusted
or lost effectiveness through corrosion. This occurs when the coolant inhibitors
have "worn out" thus allowing the pH balance of the coolant to become acid
- a condition necessary in the formation of rust and corrosion.
-
The pump seals have become brittle and
cracked with age or display excessive wear because of shaft vibration against
the seals.
Problems No.2 and 3 require expensive replacement
of the pump. It's been shown that the application of a water pump seal
lubricant containing fine particles saturated with a special water soluble
oil will provide a "cushion effect" between the shaft and the neoprene
or ceramic pump seals thereby maintaining and extending the useful life
of the pump.
What
About Hoses And Hose Connections?
Hoses channel the coolant from the radiator
to the engine and back again to the radiator. A smaller set of hoses transfers
coolant to and from a smaller radiator-like device: the heater core. Hose
failure is the most frequent component problem of the cooling system. Hoses
that are brittle, bulging, collapsed or cracked should be replaced as soon
as possible. Each year many vacations get off to a bad start because of
radiator hose failure. Hose connections should also be checked for rust
and wear, or over, or under tightening which may result in cut hoses, leaks,
or seepage as revealed by the presence of coolant or coolant stains. Hose
connection leaks at the top of the engine often go unnoticed because the
leak quickly evaporates against the hot engine leaving only a slight coolant
stain.
How
Do You Check Out A Radiator?
Visual inspection at periodic intervals
(most easily performed while checking the oil level) is always a good money
saving idea. A great deal about the condition of the ENTIRE cooling system
can be quickly learned by checking both the INSIDE and OUTSIDE of the radiator!
Inspect the radiator for coolant seepage or stains around soldered seams
of the sides, top and bottom of the radiator. Remove bugs and debris from
the finned core area while checking for coolant leaks. Both the front and
back of the radiator should be checked for seepage. When the engine is
cool remove the radiator cap. The cap should be clean, the rubber bottom
seal free of cracks and flexible. Look into the radiator filler neck the
coolant should be clean and free from floating debris. Coolant should be
slightly alkaline (around pH7) to inhibit the formation of rust and corrosion.
Inhibitors within the coolant are used to maintain this balance, and with
a little practice you can actually smell the "sweet" condition of the coolant
- a quick indication of inhibitor protection. All coolant inhibitors wear
out and should be replaced annually with the addition of a good sealer/inhibitor
- the one with the "buffing action".
What's
The Finger Test?
With the radiator cool, remove the pressure
cap and insert the index finger into the filler neck - rub the underside
of the radiator tank. If your finger comes out dirty the system needs cleaning
with REACTOR, a safe non-acid cleaner designed to remove rust, scale and
muck from the entire cooling system. REACTOR'S container instructions are
specific about draining: "Drain radiator by removing lower hose and flush
block while warm." This fast flush will empty the entire cooling system
in a matter of seconds leaving it clean and scum free. Draining through
the small petcock valve may, at first, seem more convenient, however, its
slow drain leaves the inside surface of the cooling system similar to the
sides of your kitchen sink just after doing a pile of greasy dishes.
A cooling system requiring a cleaner is
proof that the system has been neglected. Cleaners will often loosen rust,
scale and lime deposits to reveal long existing weak areas of seepage and
leaks. It is therefore recommended that every
cleaning be immediately followed
with the addition of a good sealer/inhibitor - BAR'S LEAKS.
What
can we learn from the "Pros" about cooling system maintenance?
Engine re-builders and fleet mechanics
have long recognized the importance of regular cooling system maintenance.
They know from experience that ignition, carburetion, mileage and engine
life are all adversely affected if the cooling system is not CONTINUALLY
operated under CLEAN and AIR-TIGHT conditions. When they change oil, a
thick sludgy oil first "flowing" from from the crankcase is a good indication
that internal or porosity seepage of the coolant is intruding into and
breaking down the lubricant. Re-builders continually work with the INTERNAL
parts of the engine: pistons, valves, rods, cylinders, rings, crankshafts
and cylinder heads. They KNOW first hand, the expensive repair required
from over-heating and internal coolant seepage. A large percentage of damaged
engines fail prematurely because of owner NEGLECT of the COOLING SYSTEM
resulting in LUBRICATION SYSTEM FAILURE. The truth of the matter
is that cooling systems must operate under CLEAN and AIR-TIGHT conditions
ALL OF THE TIME for economy of operation and longer engine life. The consequences
of neglect are inconvenience and often hundreds of dollars of learned from
experience that periodic maintenance with Bar's Leaks is the sure way to
provide complete cooling system
protection.
What
Is Good Coolant?
Auto manufacturers have learned that a
balanced coolant solution of water and ethylene glycol is an ideal mixture
of carry off heat, under a variety of outside temperature extremes and
operational loads. (air conditioning, heavy loads).
Bad coolant: It is strongly advised against
the use of ordinary fresh tap water in cooling system for two reasons:
1) ordinary fresh tap water contains harmful
chemicals and minerals like salts and iron which increase the formation
of rust and scale.
2) ordinary water (without pressure cap)
starts boiling at 100°C. The usual operating temperature of water in a
car is approx 90°C. The difference is not enough for providing sufficient
cooling when driving in the summer, or long distance at high speed, or
in traffic jams during peak hours, causing boiling radiator water - too
high an engine temperature.
Conclusion:
ordinary water cannot provide enough cooling for the engine, (boiling radiator),
the engine temperature will increase and easily cause engine damage and
expensive repairs. The increased rust and scale formation are other reasons
for deteriorating the cooling capacity of the radiator.
Good coolant it made from deionized
water (water from which all harmful chemicals have been taken). The main
component of good coolant, recommended by car manufactures and dealers,
contains Ethylene Glycol (also called anti freeze). Ethylene glycol does
not give only frost protection during the winters in Europe, but in addition
it
increases the boiling point of coolant water.
The following table will show the effects
of the amount of Ethylene Glycol (=antifreeze) mixed with water.
anti freeze solution
|
frost protection
|
boiling point
|
|
0%
|
no
|
no
|
|
20%
|
-9°C
|
114°C
|
|
35%
|
-19°C
|
124°C
|
|
50%
|
-35°C
|
135°C
|
Hence coolant should contain antifreeze
(ethylene glycol) even in hot tropical countries, and remain in the cooling
system permanently all year round.
The
Function Of Bar's Leaks
-
Stops internal & external leaks
-
stops rust, corrosion & scale
-
Lubricates water pump
-
Cleans inside by buffing agent
-
Prevents rust & corrosion
-
Prevents from fuel leaks
-
Prevents pressure leaks
-
Prevents cavitation
-
Prevents water pump noise
-
Prevents water-oil leaks
The
Necessity Of Bar's Leaks
The size of engines have a tendency of
getting smaller and smaller and its inside pressure is increasing higher
and higher. (It has increased from 0.3 kg/cm2 to 0.9 kg/cm2 for last 10
years). The cooling system pressure is designed to keep high to maintain
its function so that cooling fluid does not boil.
It is, therefore, very necessary to prevent
from internal and external leaks and to keep an inside pressure for modern
car engines.
When antifreeze or coolant is added to
the cooling system, porosity leaks increase. Bar's Leaks is known to be
the only product to stop these porosity leaks without any side-effects
Why
Too Long Use Of Coolant Is Not Good
The chemical symbol of Ethylene Glycol
is:
When ethylene glycol is mixed with water and
air, and it is heated up for long time at the temperature over 60°C, it's
chemical composition will change as follow:
-
