I strongly disagree with the advice you present for desert Listees. It is
incorrect advice, and should not be followed.

If a listee used straight water, even with wetting agents in a hot climate,
they would cerainly have boil overs because the coolant will definitely boil
in the heads, when they slow down or stop. Perhaps boil when driving -
causing a loss of coolant or worse.

Anti-freeze not only lowers the freezing point, it also very significantly
raises the boiling point of water.

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stuart MacMillan" <macmillan@HOME.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 10:33 AM
Subject: Thermostats and coolant additives

> Stick with stock.  Everything I've read over the years states that the
> ideal coolant temp is 190 degrees.  You can cool an engine too much, and
> the result is poor combustion efficiency with resulting oil
> contamination.  This will not promote longevity!
>
> This is also mentioned in a good article from another list about coolant
> additives and lubricants I've posted before.  Time to post it again:
>
> http://www.vtr.org/maintain/lubricants-redline.html#coolants
>
> Add wetting agents if you are in a very hot climate (assuming everything
> is up to par with the cooling system components.
>
> Also, for those of you in the desert who want maximum cooling, you could
> even try straight water (better heat transfer with 100% water than with
> 50/50 antifreeze) with wetting agents and a corrosion inhibitor like
> http://no-rosion.com (which I use with my orange coolant for extra
> insurance).  Just be sure it doesn't freeze!
>
> --
> Stuart MacMillan
> Seattle
>
> '84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
> '65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
> '74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)
>
> Personal mechanic for:
> '70 MGB GT (Daughter's)
>
> Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
> '72 MGB GT (Was daughter's, now son's)
> '64 MGB (Son's)
>
> Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
> '68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
>