Coolant/Anti Freeze Additive

[Ross]

Awhile back, I saw something on this board about some kind of additive you could put into the anti freeze which would supposedly make your coolant run about 15 degrees cooler than normal. For those of us in Texas in the summer, that could be of benefit, at least theoretically. I can't find the post now. Anyone know what this stuff is? Any reports on it? Will it hurt the cooling system, or any other drawbacks? Thanks

[MAD-3R]

Royal purple

[Mikeenh]

There is also a product called HyperCool put out by Applied Chemical Specialties. You can check it out at no-rosion.com

[RF Overlord]

Ross:

I might question the statement that it "make(s) your coolant run about 15 degrees cooler than normal."

There are a number of things that contribute to the cooling system's operation, but the primary one in this case is the thermostat. Even if you had ice cubes inside the motor, the thermostat will still open at its design temperature. Adding various chemicals (such as elthylene glycol) can extend either the freezing point or the boiling point, but I don't see how the coolant can run at a lower temp than that for which the thermostat is designed...if it senses that the coolant is at a lower temp, it just doesn't open...

One other thing, Royal Purple states that Purple Ice® is compatible with traditional ethylene glycol antifreeze (green) and GM Dex-Cool® antifreeze coolants. Most of our cars have the new Premium Gold coolant, which has not yet been certified as compatible with the others, so I'd be careful if using Purple Ice.

[UncleLar]

That Water-Wetter stuff is meant more for cars that are chronic overheaters like having ultra big mountain motors in rods like the old(and great) Willys Gasser type rods that have A/C and tons of modern goodies and still run hot with the best radiators,water pumps and fans they can get while using low temp thermostats. You don't need it in your Marauder,if worse come to worse put in a big B&M stacked plate trans cooler and a 180 'stat.

[jgc61sr2002]

I wouldn't add any additives in the coling system. To date I have not heard of any overheating problems and the 2003 MM has been out for one year.

[frdwrnch]

I agree w/jgc on not using the additive in the Marauder but I'm using "Water Wetter"n my hopped up '65 Falcon Wagon on my trip to Dearborn as it does help to run cool.
If you have a temp problem in the MM you may have another issue.

[Ross]

Thanks for all of the good input guys. There is still the question, though, of the thermostat itself. Any thermostat can eventually fail, and usually when we least expect it. What about that thermostat I have heard mentioned that supposedly sticks open, rather than closed, when it fails? That could be a lifesaver (or engine saver). Anyone heard of these, any good or bad info?

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Ross
What about that thermostat I have heard mentioned that supposedly sticks open, rather than closed, when it fails? That could be a lifesaver (or engine saver). Anyone heard of these, any good or bad info?

Ross, you have posted this question before, and with the same results...Nada, zip, zilch...

I'm frustrated because I expected someone to have an answer. I am sure you are frustrated too, so, why not give the Ford guys at www.flatratetech.com a shot at it? Let us know what you learn?

I'd like to see my impression of a fail safe/limp home system confirmed too.

[Bigdogjim]

Originally posted by SergntMac

I'd like to see my impression of a fail safe/limp home system confirmed too. [/B]

This is the same system use in all Fords I have seen it work many time on my fleet of E-350 work vans. I does get the driver out of a jam and protect the engine. Problem is you don't move very fast.:mad:

[RF Overlord]

Here ya go:

Fail-Safe Thermostat (http://www.motoradusa.com/products/failsafethermo/index.html)

Keep trying...their site seems to be having some problems...I got it to work 1 time out of 5...but it DID work...

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Bigdogjim
This is the same system use in all Fords I have seen it work many time on my fleet of E-350 work vans. I does get the driver out of a jam and protect the engine. Problem is you don't move very fast.


Originally posted by RF Overlord
Here ya go...Keep trying...their site seems to be having some problems...I got it to work 1 time out of 5...but it DID work.
Hey thanks a bunch, BigDog and RF, I feel a lot better now, knowing for sure my cooling system has a a plan B. If Ross has an MM, his search is over too, eh?

What a site...

[Ross]

That's the site! Thanks, as usual, guys. I'm waiting for a call back from those folks to ask a few questions of them. I'll report on what I find out.

[Ross]

OK, I just spoke with somebody from the Fail Safe thermostat manufacturers. BTW, there is a pretty good explanation of the stat on their website. The one question I had is this: if the stat fails, and locks open (therefore not overheating) I won't see a higher temp on my guage, so how will I even know that it has failed and needs to be changed? His answer was pretty simple and obvious. Since the stat won't close, I will see a cooler than normal temp which will alert me that something has happened. Kind of makes sense to me. Am I missing something, or does this sound like a good idea to y'all?

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by Ross
OK, I just spoke with somebody from the Fail Safe thermostat manufacturers. BTW, there is a pretty good explanation of the stat on their website. The one question I had is this: if the stat fails, and locks open (therefore not overheating) I won't see a higher temp on my guage, so how will I even know that it has failed and needs to be changed? His answer was pretty simple and obvious. Since the stat won't close, I will see a cooler than normal temp which will alert me that something has happened. Kind of makes sense to me. Am I missing something, or does this sound like a good idea to y'all? Ross - The thermostat also slows the flow of coolant through your radiator, thus allowing the coolant to have a lower temp. when it exit's the radiator. I don't agree that an open stat = cooler than normal temp. IMHO.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what jgc said^^^

Part of the function of the thermostat is to allow the coolant to remain in the motor long enough to pick up heat, and to remain in the radiator long enough to give up that heat. A wide open thermostat is like having none at all, and at speed, the water will travel through the motor too fast, and won't have time to absorb heat properly; it also will travel through he radiator too fast, and won't have time to dissipate heat, thus forming a vicious cycle that eventually leads to overheating.

I tried the "no-thermostat" trick on a car back when I was kid...it stayed too cold around town, and on a highway trip, the temp gauge just kept slowly climbing higher and higher...