Temp Dial

[TOBY1975]

As a new boy, I just wanted to check 2 things with you professionals out there. When driving around (I am based in London) and there is quite a lot of stop starting - should the temp dial show about 90 most of the time or is this rather high ? Also, should i mix anti freeze with the water when I fill up the colling system or is water on its own OK ?.

Any advice would be good

[M@H]

90 is fine.. the fans should cut in at 92 IIRC, but without much airflow cant really get the temperature down, hence in traffic you'll just get a constant 90ish with the fans on all the time. Re. coolant, you can top up with just water, but remember every time you do, you are diluting your antifreeze slightly.

Cheers
Matt.

[TOBY1975]

Matt

Thanks for that, I was getting a little edgy as the TVR does throw our quite a lot of heat through the bonnet vents and with the roof down, you can really feel it. I might add a little extra anti freeze as well.

Cheers

[PeterC]

The issue about whether to use just water or a water plus the correct amount of antifreeze/rust inhibitor is really dependent upon how much water you are adding and how often.

If you have been regularly adding copious quantities of water due to a leak or other problem, the coolant may become significantly below strength and you run the risk of problems. Such as coolant freezing if car is parked outside in winter, corrosion of aluminium block & heads leading to over-heating and worse.

If you need to add a lot of water, it would be better if this was a correctly balanced coolant mixture containing a suitable antifreeze/rust inhibitor.

If the amount being added is small, plain water will do as when your car is serviced, the garage should run a strength test on the coolant and adjust as necessary.

>> Edited by PeterC on Wednesday 18th June 18:01