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MG MGB Technical - 4 life Cooling fluid

Hi
Has anyone else used 4 Life cooling fluid in their cars?
I changed mine at the weekend and the car seems to be running quite a bit hotter, it is designed to have a higher boiling point but did not expect the higher running temp.

It used to run just above the middle, now it is just off the red, it is a V8 conversion but have the usual extra,s kenlowe etc...

Thanks
Graham
GLG Lavis

Graham-
Is it possible that you don't have it fully topped off? On my 80 GT it took three consecutive iterations of me filling, driving, letting it cool, then adding a bit to get it full following a coolant flush and change. It did indeed run hot on the first top-off.

I don't have any info on the coolant you used.

Matt
M Ruch

Graham,

I’ve used 4-life coolant in my V8 conversion for the last five years or so. It should have little or no affect on running temperatures, it simply has a higher boiling point compared to water plus antifreeze. My guess is you have an air lock in the system.

Geoff

Geoff King

It is a 50% mix of antifreeze and (expensive) water.
If you were using plain water and corrosion inhibitor before, or a lower % of antifreeze, it will run hotter, as the 50% has a lower heat capacity than plain water, so the heat energy it can get rid of per second is less.

(I'm thinking of going for a water/corrosion inhibitor "summer coolant" for the above reason)
Martin Layton

Graham,

Take a look at Les Bingston's page on this subject, I think it may be helpful. Sorry I am unable to link <www.custompistols.com> and check under the M.G. articles.

Regards,

Larry C. '74 B/GT
Larry C.

Thanks all for your help, i will check the level again at the weekend, i did expect to put in another 2 litres when i filled it.

Graham
GLG Lavis

Would help to know what year car you have as well. If you have a late model you need to have the car running and squeeze both hoses coming into the radiator to get it to fill up from the reservoir. You can feel how much coolant is flowing through the hose as well. Obviously have it running up to temp so the t-stat is open.
james

James
It is a 77 mgb, so i will go through everyones advice tomorrow.

Thanks
All
Graham
GLG Lavis

Not only does it have a higher boiling point but I understand that it transfers heat more effectively than water /anti freeze mixtures. This is subjective but I think heat is pulled out of the engine more quickly ie temperatures fall on the gauge after a period of hot running eg in traffic. I know there are lots of factors which affect this but that has been my experience.
David Booker

On the down side it shouldn't be mixed with water, so if your out and about and get a loss of coolant your stuck.

It seems very expensive, I'll stick to water and anti freeze that I can get in any garage.
K Harris

This thread was discussed between 05/06/2007 and 12/06/2007

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