- Joined
- Aug 12, 2021
- Messages
- 63
Hi all:
I recently became aware of the phenomenon of cavitation in cooling systems. I have done some searches on gasoline
engines, but only found info about diesel engines. Apparently, it's common with diesels.
The reason why I ask is because I have long preferred running my cooling systems unpressurized on my gas cars.
The last two cars I have ran unpressurized were two Crown Vics. They both tolerated being unpressurized in regards to
not blowing coolant out of the degass bottle. They both spent their time in service almost exclusively unpressurized.
Both cars are gone now. One suffered from old age fall-apart, and the other was totaled.
After reading some articles, it seems that cavitation is reduced somewhat by system pressurization. I'm aware that
cavitation affects the water pump impeller, and to a lesser extent at cylinder walls(much less so for gas engines).
Also, I think that coolant formulators use types of SCA additives to minimize the effects of cavitation.
In both previously mentioned cars the engines never experienced a cooling system failure. I changed the coolant
every 2 to 3 years. So, from my experience with the two cars I had mentioned, nothing detrimental had ever occurred.
I more recently installed a new radiator cap on my 5.7 Hemi Charger. I drilled a pin hole into the center of the
cap to relieve the pressure. So, it now runs unpressurized as well.
So, getting to my questions.
Has anyone else done this? I don't know of anyone else who has done this.
Any thoughts if cavitation is a significant issue in gas engines?
I recently became aware of the phenomenon of cavitation in cooling systems. I have done some searches on gasoline
engines, but only found info about diesel engines. Apparently, it's common with diesels.
The reason why I ask is because I have long preferred running my cooling systems unpressurized on my gas cars.
The last two cars I have ran unpressurized were two Crown Vics. They both tolerated being unpressurized in regards to
not blowing coolant out of the degass bottle. They both spent their time in service almost exclusively unpressurized.
Both cars are gone now. One suffered from old age fall-apart, and the other was totaled.
After reading some articles, it seems that cavitation is reduced somewhat by system pressurization. I'm aware that
cavitation affects the water pump impeller, and to a lesser extent at cylinder walls(much less so for gas engines).
Also, I think that coolant formulators use types of SCA additives to minimize the effects of cavitation.
In both previously mentioned cars the engines never experienced a cooling system failure. I changed the coolant
every 2 to 3 years. So, from my experience with the two cars I had mentioned, nothing detrimental had ever occurred.
I more recently installed a new radiator cap on my 5.7 Hemi Charger. I drilled a pin hole into the center of the
cap to relieve the pressure. So, it now runs unpressurized as well.
So, getting to my questions.
Has anyone else done this? I don't know of anyone else who has done this.
Any thoughts if cavitation is a significant issue in gas engines?