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mech-mike
Guest
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 Posted:
Mon Dec 12, 2005 1:28 am Post subject:
alternate ideas |
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I have an '86 T-bird (only 63K miles). Had a wild idea and wondered if
anyone has tried it. Has anyone ever tried to use motor oil (new or old)
in the cooling system instead of water + antifreeze ? Here's the logic,
oil inherently would be non-corrosive to the pump, radiator, and engine
block. It should likely do better (flow) under very cold conditions,
eliminate sticky thermostates, and perhaps not need changing nearly as
often. Oil operates under the exact same temperature conditions as
standard coolant mix (though under comparatively higher pressure in the
cranckcase). No more corrosion at hose junctions as well. I know the
thermal characteristics are different (likely hotter) but my engine runs
very cold in cold weather which causes very poor fuel economy. How 'bout
it ?
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Jim Warman
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:03 am Post subject:
Re: alternate ideas |
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Aside from the fact that the oil would attack any rubber components in the
cooling system.... Even the thinnest of motor oils would be too thick to
pump through the the radiator and heater cores in cold weather. While one of
motor oils purposes is to remove heat from internal areas of the motor, it's
thermal efficiency is nowhere near as good as proper coolant mixture. It is
doubtful that oil could absorb heat from combustion chamber and cylinder
wall areas quickly enough to prove satisfactory.
"mech-mike" <zengineer@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:b8eeb7b02b67cd087f8de6715d344df3@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
| Quote: | I have an '86 T-bird (only 63K miles). Had a wild idea and wondered if
anyone has tried it. Has anyone ever tried to use motor oil (new or old)
in the cooling system instead of water + antifreeze ? Here's the logic,
oil inherently would be non-corrosive to the pump, radiator, and engine
block. It should likely do better (flow) under very cold conditions,
eliminate sticky thermostates, and perhaps not need changing nearly as
often. Oil operates under the exact same temperature conditions as
standard coolant mix (though under comparatively higher pressure in the
cranckcase). No more corrosion at hose junctions as well. I know the
thermal characteristics are different (likely hotter) but my engine runs
very cold in cold weather which causes very poor fuel economy. How 'bout
it ?
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joe schmoe
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:05 am Post subject:
Re: alternate ideas |
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On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 14:28:49 -0500, "mech-mike"
<zengineer@netzero.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I have an '86 T-bird (only 63K miles). Had a wild idea and wondered if
anyone has tried it. Has anyone ever tried to use motor oil (new or old)
in the cooling system instead of water + antifreeze ? Here's the logic,
oil inherently would be non-corrosive to the pump, radiator, and engine
block. It should likely do better (flow) under very cold conditions,
eliminate sticky thermostates, and perhaps not need changing nearly as
often. Oil operates under the exact same temperature conditions as
standard coolant mix (though under comparatively higher pressure in the
cranckcase). No more corrosion at hose junctions as well. I know the
thermal characteristics are different (likely hotter) but my engine runs
very cold in cold weather which causes very poor fuel economy. How 'bout
it ?
|
Oil...rubber seals, hoses, gaskets... Not an ideal combination
If you like the oil cooling idea the original VW beetle was pretty
much an oil/air cooled engine.
Perhaps for your idea Brake fluid might be a better alternate ;-)
Not saying that I'd do it but......................
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Scott
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:18 am Post subject:
Re: alternate ideas |
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"mech-mike" <zengineer@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:b8eeb7b02b67cd087f8de6715d344df3@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
| Quote: | I have an '86 T-bird (only 63K miles). Had a wild idea and wondered if
anyone has tried it. Has anyone ever tried to use motor oil (new or old)
in the cooling system instead of water + antifreeze ? Here's the logic,
oil inherently would be non-corrosive to the pump, radiator, and engine
block. It should likely do better (flow) under very cold conditions,
eliminate sticky thermostates, and perhaps not need changing nearly as
often. Oil operates under the exact same temperature conditions as
standard coolant mix (though under comparatively higher pressure in the
cranckcase). No more corrosion at hose junctions as well. I know the
thermal characteristics are different (likely hotter) but my engine runs
very cold in cold weather which causes very poor fuel economy. How 'bout
it ?
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I think you should try it and tell us how it works. |
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Backyard Mechanic
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Dec 12, 2005 5:17 am Post subject:
Re: alternate ideas |
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"Scott" <homealone.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
"mech-mike" <zengineer@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:b8eeb7b02b67cd087f8de6715d344df3@localhost.talkaboutautos.com...
I have an '86 T-bird (only 63K miles). Had a wild idea and wondered if
anyone has tried it. Has anyone ever tried to use motor oil (new or
old) in the cooling system instead of water + antifreeze ? Here's
the logic, oil inherently would be non-corrosive to the pump,
radiator, and engine block. It should likely do better (flow) under
very cold conditions, eliminate sticky thermostates, and perhaps not
need changing nearly as often. Oil operates under the exact same
temperature conditions as standard coolant mix (though under
comparatively higher pressure in the cranckcase). No more corrosion
at hose junctions as well. I know the thermal characteristics are
different (likely hotter) but my engine runs very cold in cold
weather which causes very poor fuel economy. How 'bout it ?
I think you should try it and tell us how it works.
|
Yeah...the brake fluid... sheesh!
Tell ya what... put 10w and 50/50 AF in a sealed mason jar in your
freezer overnight.
Then take a #2 phillips (about size of core tube) and punch two holes in
each lid
See which empties faster.
The point being that on a 0deg day, the oil out of the rad will have that
viscosity.
So you have two fallacies that you base your premise on (besides the oil
eating the hoses)
1. that the oil will 'flow better' when cold than the coolant mix.
2. that the AF has anything to do with thermostat failure, which BTW.. is
FAR LESS COMMON than most here would lead you to believe.
- Replacing the Thermostat is a shotgun fix which usually DOESNT resolve
the symptoms.
Now, If I were stuck in the desert, amd a hose fell off and I lost all
the coolant and had no water but I had five gallons of motor oil, then
after fixing the hose, dang right I would fill it with the oil.
--
Yeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price
you pay..DEAL with it! |
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Bob
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:14 am Post subject:
Re: alternate ideas |
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"Backyard Mechanic" <pettyfog@yaywho.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9729BB68D92E1pettyfogery@207.115.17.102...
| Quote: | 2. that the AF has anything to do with thermostat failure, which BTW.. is
FAR LESS COMMON than most here would lead you to believe.
- Replacing the Thermostat is a shotgun fix which usually DOESNT resolve
the symptoms.
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I suppose it depends on what your definition of "failure" is. If it means
causing you to be stranded by the side of the road you are correct. If it
means not maintaining the proper temp than failures are fairly common. It
seems like I usually have to replace mine every other year or so because
they won't maintain the proper temp and I generally use Motorcraft stats or
NAPA superstats. I just put one in my Explorer 2 weeks ago and after driving
my wife's Grand Marquis last Friday see that it needs one as well. IMHO stat
failure is very common.
Bob |
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