vance.dykes
Well-Known Member
If the coolant flow would be too fast the radiator outlet temperature would be hotter, if you would be able to monitor that temperature you could see if it makes a difference between standard flow and high flow.
But if this works it means the radiator has sufficient efficiency.
Thing to remember is that not all coolant passes through the radiator once coming from the engine, a part of the hot water is returned and mixed with the cooled water return from the radiator and goes back into the cooling pump suction.
That mixed result inlet temperature, and the heat absorbed from the engine make the outlet temperature that you see on the temp gauge, and that same temperature is what your thermostat is trying to control.
If the heat input from the engine increases due to more load, the outlet water temperature is higher and will open the thermostat more so it will send more coolant to the radiator and less back to the engine pump inlet.
That's why the flow through the radiator needs to result in the right temperature difference (ΔT), too fast of a flow will not reach this and wil result in a too high water inlet temperature, which results in a higher outlet temperature.
A 180* thermostat will start to open @ 180*, but might only be fully open at 195*.
So when seeing 190* on the gauge after a strip run is normal as the heat absorbed from the engine is suddenly very high and the thermostat will be able to bring that down again after several minutes when the load is gone.
When standing in traffic at hot days and seeing +190* is therefore actually showing your cooling system is not able to provide sufficient cooling.
Of course is the air flow low, an a/c condensor is another air flow obstruction and causes an increased air temperature to pass the radiator so these things do increase the temperature to maybe 186-188* in a healthy system.
In the above case a temperature of 195* or higher proves the thermostat is fully open and is no longer able to control the temperature as it is sending the maximum amount of water to the radiator for cooling.
Turned out a little long, but just something to read for the ones who want to know i guess.
well i dont think that will be a problem with my system . but thanks