Re: check your radiators
Reply #75 –
Robert,
I too remember the days of distilled water and perhaps a little linseed oil to keep the rust down. Today, with computer databases and modern chemistry we can see the results of using the wrong coolant and the best ways to avoid problems.
Brett covered the potential liner erosion problem well so I will go up a little higher into the cylinder head.
Pressure caps and a 50/50 mix of antifreeze give more than just protection from freezing and boiling. With an RV, long grades can see maximum power (and heat) for ten minutes or longer. The water temperature you see on the gauge does not give true indication of the many different coolant temperatures seen inside the engine. The highest temperature is usually seen around the exhaust valve area. The coolant on the other side of the cylinder head wall from the exhaust valve may reach very high temperatures for a long period of time and with a bad pressure cap and/or the wrong coolant, the liquid may vaporize in a localized area so there is NO coolant to metal contact to remove the excess heat. This can cause anything from cracks in the head to expansion of the cylinder head beyond designed limits causing leaking or blown head gaskets now or later. The pressure cap and the 50/50 mix, raise the boiling point so this harmful vaporization does not occur until much higher temperatures.
So, use the recommended coolant for your engine, gear down and slow down if necessary to keep temps in the normal range. Lots of posts about keeping rear/side mounted radiators clean.
Topic: check your radiators