Re: Coolant fluid

["Robert Rooney" <dmcvegas@xxxx>]

Before you noticed the low level in the surge tank when was the last 
time you checked the coolant level? If it was recently or you suspect 
any type of a coolant leak, a pressure test never hurts. Otherwise 
make sure that you regularly inspect the coolant level. And of course 
did your fans come on? On my car the cooling fans don't normally come 
on untill the needle is right below the same line that you're talking 
about. If I've read previous messages correctly, this is too high a 
temp for the fans to come on. If this is the case, then Fanzilla will 
NOT cure this. Fanzilla is a bypass for the factory installed relay 
that turns the cooling fans on. It helps to prevent a strain on the 
electrical system when the fans are powered up. Both Fanzilla and the 
factory installed relay/wiring are signaled by the otterstat for when 
to activate the fans. The otterstat is located in/on the coolant pipe 
in the engine compartment on the left side of the car. While the 
engine running @ this temperature isn't damaging, it does get robbed 
of power. Make sure that for your fans you have the upgraded circuit 
breakers and that you DON'T have the blue fan fail relay installed. 
Since you said when you picked up speed your temp went down, your 
radiator is fine. My car has the 3-layer radiator, no Fanzilla, 5/150 
antifreeze (orange) and operates in around 115°-120° heat on a
daily 
basis. That's the weather, not my coolant! And with the exception of 
the otterstat, everything works great! The next chance I get I will 
be driving the D over the hill thru Death Vally to REALLY put the 
radiator to the test!
Procedures for flushing and refilling the cooling sytem can be 
found in the technical library. The instructions there are better 
then the workshop manual. Just remember to always use distilled 
water. Only use tap water in an absolute emergency! Regular distilled 
from the grocery store is just fine. "Scientificly Pure" water from 
the auto parts store is the same thing only more expensive. Unless 
you live in an area where the DeLorean will be exposed to freezing 
temps or extreme heat, a 50/50 mixture will be fine. I use a 65/35 
because of the environment I'm in. As far as cooling efficiency vs. 
mixture, I don't know. But give Prestone a ring @ 1-800-862-7737, 
they should be able to tell you. If you have any other questions e-
mail me.

-Robert
vin 6585

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx, "Sacha Prins" <sprins@xxxx> wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> The other day I noticed that the cooling reservoir of my DeLorean 
was
> empty, since I was a long way from home I added 2 liters (0.5 
gallons?)
> of water which filled the coolant reservoir to the required level.
> 
> Today I was driving in a traffic jam and suddenly the temp meter 
went
> to 104C (which is the last white line on the scale) and that scared 
me
> a bit. When I caught speed again the temp meter dropped to a more
> regular level. On the way back there was no traffic jam so I could
> drive home without any temp problems.
...............