Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
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Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
I've got a GT28RS Full-Race setup. This car is build for road racing and currently doing time trials and time attacks.
Normally I run Honda 50/50 in my system, but after a recent radiator replacement, I've added just water with water-wetter.
I had an issue over the weekend of my radiator overflow bottle filling up and, well, overflowing after about 3 hot laps on a 3.4 mile course (~6 minutes). Not only made a traction issue with fluid spilling all over my tires, but also caused an overheating issue with water temps because I had obviously a huge air bubble now in my system. I figured the head gasket is going on me and pushing air into the system when I'm loading the engine. (No coolant in the oil or air bubbles coming out of the overflow tube under idle)
The last time I had water temps problems was when I was trying to run straight water. That was resolved by going back to 50/50. So now that the problem has come up again, I'm beginning to doubt it's just a head gasket. I thought it was weird that I'm having potential head gasket issue at the exact same moment I start running mostly water.
Considering my EGT's are in the 1600 range and my exhaust manifold gets up past 600 just idling (so who know what temps it reaches on track) , which sits about 1" away from the radiator, is it possible that the manifold and turbo are cooking my radiator to the point of causing it to super heat and boil the water to vapor? Thus causing excess pressure and pushing fluid into my overflow.
Normally I run Honda 50/50 in my system, but after a recent radiator replacement, I've added just water with water-wetter.
I had an issue over the weekend of my radiator overflow bottle filling up and, well, overflowing after about 3 hot laps on a 3.4 mile course (~6 minutes). Not only made a traction issue with fluid spilling all over my tires, but also caused an overheating issue with water temps because I had obviously a huge air bubble now in my system. I figured the head gasket is going on me and pushing air into the system when I'm loading the engine. (No coolant in the oil or air bubbles coming out of the overflow tube under idle)
The last time I had water temps problems was when I was trying to run straight water. That was resolved by going back to 50/50. So now that the problem has come up again, I'm beginning to doubt it's just a head gasket. I thought it was weird that I'm having potential head gasket issue at the exact same moment I start running mostly water.
Considering my EGT's are in the 1600 range and my exhaust manifold gets up past 600 just idling (so who know what temps it reaches on track) , which sits about 1" away from the radiator, is it possible that the manifold and turbo are cooking my radiator to the point of causing it to super heat and boil the water to vapor? Thus causing excess pressure and pushing fluid into my overflow.
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
I've got a GT28RS Full-Race setup. This car is build for road racing and currently doing time trials and time attacks.
Normally I run Honda 50/50 in my system, but after a recent radiator replacement, I've added just water with water-wetter.
The last time I had water temps problems was when I was trying to run straight water. That was resolved by going back to 50/50.
Normally I run Honda 50/50 in my system, but after a recent radiator replacement, I've added just water with water-wetter.
The last time I had water temps problems was when I was trying to run straight water. That was resolved by going back to 50/50.
#4
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
road racing is different than street driving. multiple WOT pulls down straights can really push EGT's, if you knew what those were it would help but glowing red manifolds absolutely can boil water. think about how you cook a rabbit over the camp fire, same principle. obviously do a leak down to address any HG issues but you may also consider
1. getting a bigger radiator
2. ceramic coat the manifold and exhaust section of the turbo
3. turbo blanket
4. large oil cooler
if you're using any sort of half rad you're already swimming upstream. the tune, AF and those egt's are a big deal
1. getting a bigger radiator
2. ceramic coat the manifold and exhaust section of the turbo
3. turbo blanket
4. large oil cooler
if you're using any sort of half rad you're already swimming upstream. the tune, AF and those egt's are a big deal
#5
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
Consider purchasing ATP inconel wrap its pricey but I have never heard a bad review. Its well respected in commercial application and there is a review on S2000 somewhere.
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
Some race groups (like NASA) and tracks themselves require us to run water only. I could sign up and just run laps through an HPDE. But the symptoms don't arise except when I'm on track. The time/effort to setup and go to a track event is taxing. I guess that is where the question came from. To tear down to replace the head gasket is going to open the door for other maintenance items, basically putting me down for 3-5 months. Or if it is possible that the manifold is cooking the radiator, then it would be worth it to shield it and then try get back on track next month. Either way, I need to do a proper leak down first.
Thanks for that. There are not a lot of turbo setup in the Honda road race world. All the turbo experts are usually focused on drag racing. It's hard to get people to understand that I'm at WOT 70% of the time for 20-30 minutes sessions.
1. I've gone up to a dual core full width radiator.
2. Been there and everything has failed:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced-induction-16/apology-hpc-full-race-header-ceramic-coating-incident-lots-pics-2094456/
3. I did have the DEI 'titanium' blanket over the turbo, but due to the radiator bust I mentioned before, it got soaked with fluid which eventually turned it into a candle. I've got some cheap fiberglass boot on it now.
4. Oil temps last weekend stayed around 280. Over the summer I see them sneak up to 300. Definitely plan to install a better oil cooler this winter.
Thanks for the recommendation. Will give them a call.
I've gone through several fiberglass wraps and DEI's 'Titanium' wrap. I took a fiberglass blanket (with the aluminum coated backing) and wrapped it like a funnel around the manifold (with a hold in my hood). Was suppose to be good up to 1200 deg. But the backing melted and smoked like crazy. Made a mess too.
2. Been there and everything has failed:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/forced-induction-16/apology-hpc-full-race-header-ceramic-coating-incident-lots-pics-2094456/
3. I did have the DEI 'titanium' blanket over the turbo, but due to the radiator bust I mentioned before, it got soaked with fluid which eventually turned it into a candle. I've got some cheap fiberglass boot on it now.
4. Oil temps last weekend stayed around 280. Over the summer I see them sneak up to 300. Definitely plan to install a better oil cooler this winter.
I've gone through several fiberglass wraps and DEI's 'Titanium' wrap. I took a fiberglass blanket (with the aluminum coated backing) and wrapped it like a funnel around the manifold (with a hold in my hood). Was suppose to be good up to 1200 deg. But the backing melted and smoked like crazy. Made a mess too.
#7
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
Bigger Oil Cooler
Switch to E85 for its better cooling
Electric Water Pump (probably best bet)
heat coating/wrapping all turbo parts
the proper shroud and fan combination
Switch to E85 for its better cooling
Electric Water Pump (probably best bet)
heat coating/wrapping all turbo parts
the proper shroud and fan combination
Trending Topics
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
There is also an alternative for coolant its Evans Coolant. I believe approved for track use. Check it out. but sounds an a lot like heatsoak and/or headgasket issue but start with heatsoak befor tearing down the motor. Also do a leak down test
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
"Evans NPG is the Original Waterless Coolant. NPG is a lifetime coolant. NPG is recommended for racing engines that run on tracks or in series where there is a "NO Ethylene Glycol" rule, and can be used in high performance street vehicles with high flow cooling systems."
They also note: "NPG is NOT recommended for daily drivers or cold weather operation, and may require system modifications to ensure a successful conversion."
System modifications?
#10
Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
I remember reading up on them a few months ago.
"Evans NPG is the Original Waterless Coolant. NPG is a lifetime coolant. NPG is recommended for racing engines that run on tracks or in series where there is a "NO Ethylene Glycol" rule, and can be used in high performance street vehicles with high flow cooling systems."
They also note: "NPG is NOT recommended for daily drivers or cold weather operation, and may require system modifications to ensure a successful conversion."
System modifications?
"Evans NPG is the Original Waterless Coolant. NPG is a lifetime coolant. NPG is recommended for racing engines that run on tracks or in series where there is a "NO Ethylene Glycol" rule, and can be used in high performance street vehicles with high flow cooling systems."
They also note: "NPG is NOT recommended for daily drivers or cold weather operation, and may require system modifications to ensure a successful conversion."
System modifications?
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
Evnas sells a solution that you run in the system prior to installing the evans coolant that rids of any water. i used to run this stuff in my old darton sleeved block, works great. i had issues with it running hot and this stuff helped. it wont nessesarily make it run much cooler than coolant/water mixture but it will run cooler than straight water in your system and is suitable for track use which is the key element here. It also has a higher boiling point than water which helps too
#12
Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
Evnas sells a solution that you run in the system prior to installing the evans coolant that rids of any water. i used to run this stuff in my old darton sleeved block, works great. i had issues with it running hot and this stuff helped. it wont nessesarily make it run much cooler than coolant/water mixture but it will run cooler than straight water in your system and is suitable for track use which is the key element here. It also has a higher boiling point than water which helps too
#13
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
I've switched some systems over to this coolant. NPG requires you to have less than 4% water in the system. This means you have to find a way to drain your block as complete as possible. Less than 4% is a very small amount, depending on your coolant capacity. You just can't drain and blow it out and refill. It didn't seem to work much different on the vehicles we swapped them over too. Pretty much customer request in these applications. I'd personally look to something else.
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
Its been a long time but i believe i drain my coolant, flushed the system with water ( i had standard coolant in it) go as much water out as i could. with thermostat out i pressurized one side with air compressor to blow out as much of the water in the block as possible. then flushed with the evans pre fluid. seemed to work for me
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
Why on earth does it take 3-5 months to change the head gasket? Pull the manifolds and the timing belt. Change the gasket then put it back together again.
#18
Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
2. Been there and everything has failed:
https://honda-tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2094456
4. Oil temps last weekend stayed around 280. Over the summer I see them sneak up to 300. Definitely plan to install a better oil cooler this winter.
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
I guess that was sorta one of the points of my original question. If radiant heat is an issue, then a heat shield will definitely be added to my project list. It's always been obvious that extra heat was being transferred into the system from the proximity of the manifold to the radiator. But it was assumed the radiator was large enough to dissipate the heat.
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
I run a aluminum half rad in my boosted ef I had be constantly in the red due to how close my rad was to my manifold/down pipe to fix the issue I moved my rad under the front crossmember and dropped 20+ degrees ECT I dont road race but after a quarter mile pull WOT to the top of 4th im just about 190F normal operating temp is 180ish
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
No name brands ? And they're mounted on the front of the radiator correct ? Pick up some good name brand fans with shrouds. Also keep in mind that when a fan is acting as a pusher, its less effeciant, so if you're running no name brands, pick up something a little better.
#22
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Re: Is it possible for radiant heat from the manifold to overheat the radiator?
I had this same question with a full size rad in another thread. But if it were true then my buddies time attack evo I would think would run into the same problems.
I think a good turbo blanket and wrapping everything possible would eliminate the exhaust heat factor.
Ducting to the radiator is also important. Considering cutting a cowl in your hood as well.
I think a good turbo blanket and wrapping everything possible would eliminate the exhaust heat factor.
Ducting to the radiator is also important. Considering cutting a cowl in your hood as well.
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