----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 6:00
AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Frozen
coolant...
Dave,
You might be too pessimistic. Glycol/water in a
25/75 mix is supposed to protect down to 15 degrees, according to tables I
looked up. Low 20's shouldn't have been a problem. Even near the transition
point, the mix turns slushy before freezing solid.
Nonetheless, you've
obviously got a leak somewhere. Just don't assume the worst until you've
confirmed it's true. Is your recent leak fix still holding? First place I'd
look.
Pressurizing the system is a good idea. Auto parts stores like
Autozone will lend you the coolant system pressure tester that fits in
standard radiator cap openings. Pressurize and see where it leaks. You
can also dump in a UV dye indicator (I've bought it at NAPA), run the engine
briefly and then look for the leak using a black light. I've used both the
pressure tester and UV dye.
Sorry about your troubles.
Barry
Gardner
Wheaton, IL
David Leonard wrote:
I flew to Mammoth this weekend for some snow boarding. Has a
great time, and was 210 kts GS on the way up.
Parked the plane for two nights and came back out this afternoon for
the flight home. But there was a small puddle of coolant under the
engine... and it was still dripping.
Then I remembered. I recently sprung a leak in a cooling line -
while away from home. After fixing the leak I used tap water to refill
what coolant had been lost - about a gallon. I had forgotten all about
that on this latest trip... to the mountains. I figure the antifreeze
level was now down to about 25/75 and the overnight temps in the low 20's
did the job.
I had to concentrate on getting back home for work tomorrow so I
couldn't do much. I couldn't even take off the lower cowl.
--
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