Performance Cooling Solutions

[Marc Getty <marc@getty.net>]

Roland Johansson wrote:
> If you use your motor "only" for racing/rally you can remove the thermostat
> completly and use a low temp switch.

Being that I started the "Performance Cooling Questions" thread, I think that
it is only fair to post the results of my quest.

First off, I believe the lines above by Roland Johansson above are incorrect.
The thermostat when completely removed from a Scirocco, just like my Jetta,
will cause major problems. There are two paths through the engine, one that
the coolant flows through when the thermostat is closed, the other when it is
open. Coolant is actually pumped through the engine when the thermostat is
closed, but through a very short path, when the thermostat is open the coolant
is pumped throughout the entire system. If you remove the thermostat entirely,
most of it will take the path of least resistance and take a short path
through the engine and not to the radiator. If I am incorrect about this,
please let me know!

Next, onto my "Performance Cooling Solutions". I have decided to:

1. Remove the stock electric fan thermostat and replace it with a lower
temperature thermostat purchased for $11 from Adirondack
(http://www.germanautoparts.com/). My neighbor who has been a VW mechanic for
30+ years told me that the purchase of a lower temp thermostat is not
necessary, he suggested that I clean out all of the gunk behind the electric
fan thermostat and all will be fine. I decided to both clean behind the
thermostat (see #3) and while it's out I might as well replace the thermostat.

2. Leave the current stock radiator. The guy who answered the phone at
Adirondack said that the radiator on my '87 16V is the same as used by the
turbo diesels and that is as big as they get.

3. Completely flush out the entire cooling system. This will include taking
out the radiator and thermostat and pumping as much water through it as I can.

4. Use Prestone phosphate free anti-freeze (the orange stuff) as the
replacement coolant. Phosphate free coolant is needed so that it does not eat
through my seals. I chose the orange prestone stuff because it was the only
stuff in any of the three parts stores (Pep Boys, National, and an independent
guy) that I went to that actually said phosphate free on the label. I would
have bought it from my local VW dealer, but their hours sucked and I could not
get there any time their parts department was open.

That's it! This should help keep my Scirocco running cool for a little while
longer!

-Marc

'74 VW Thing - http://getty.net/thing/ FORSALE in Philly!
'81 Jetta Diesel gone to the scrap heap after 178,000 miles
'84 Jetta GLi SLC with only 164,275 miles
'87 Scirocco 16V with 164,000 Miles, just got it on 7/2/99

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