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Re: cooling system upgrade for older 5..

On Mon 22 Jul 1996, Dadbeh Rouhbakhsh <dkrouhbakhsh@domain.elided>
wrote:

>Is there a way to upgrade an older 5's cooling system, i.e. bigger 
>readiator, better fan..etc.. to get a cooler running engine?
No need to. The OEM setup's good 'nuff :-)
Just make sure they're in tip-top condition... running from:-
(1.0) Radiator - clean - with OEM coolant or equivalent.
(1.1) All hoses - clamp tight - no leak.
(1.2) Thermostat - working at correct temp - try 71 deg C.
        Use 71 deg C for summer - 82 deg C for winter.
        (Or thereabout - depending on makes)
(1.3) Radiator Pressure Cap - no *pre-release* - meaning
        working at the correct pressure - replace if doubtful.
        You may want to improve the *boiling point* level
        by replacing the standard *1.0* pressure cap to
        one that is slightly higher - *1.2* as marked on the
        pressure cap. Some comes marked as *1000*, *1200*
        or *1.0*... *120* (the higher the number, the greater
        the *sustain* working pressure of the cooling system.
        The slightly higher pressure induced brings the
        *boiling point* up and this improves the *heat-transfer*.
        Note: Make sure the water hoses are up to it - meaning
        not weaken due to age! Other components should be
        okay.
        Pressure Cap I fitted comes for Merc... made by BEHR.
        If the *expansion* or *reservoir* bottle in your model
        comes with the *older* screw-in type of Pressure Cap,
        maybe that's the only component to replace so as to
        accomodate *universal* Pressure Caps. ;-)
(1.4) Thermo-viscos-fan should work. Simple check...
        Take the car for a short drive - park with engine
        still idling - release bonnet - see/hear changes
        in fan speed. If you can detect the changes,
        it is working. :-)
(1.5) Immediately after a drive - go *pinch* the *return-hose*
        and it should hold a good *pressure* - careful here...
        pretty *hot*! If it should feel *soft*... either you have
        a small leak - not visible, or the system's not properly
        primed to rid any air-bubbles. <that's another topic>
(2.0) If all above conditions are satisfied... you shouldn't
        have any *over-heating* problem.
(2.1) Personally, for both the autos I own... the thermostat
        fitted are graded at 71 deg C, and the Radiator Pressure
        Caps... *1200* as marked. OEM was 82 deg C and
        *1000* respectively. Coupled to using *Paraflu* - an
        excellent anti-freeze/rust coolant made for FIAT, I
        experienced no problem whatsoever - even with the
        air-cond working and autos parked - here in hot humid
        Malaysia. As for the coolant, I had just switched back
        to using OEM product from BMW - much cheaper now
        compared to *Paraflu* from FIAT. ;-)
        Note: BMW - OEM Coolant. Part No. 81 22 9 407 454.
        Translated cost = US$7.20 per bottle (1500 ml) capacity.

(2.1) The above are food-for-thoughts.
        Cheers!

>dadbeh

- -- chL00I
via DeskTopPC
'84 E23 728i
'71 Opel Manta SR