This is a corollary to what's going on here but not directly related.
Saw a post re the use of a wetting agent to lower the operating engine temperature. Product is called "Water Wetter" by Red Line Oil. This is the first that I've heard of it so I gave it a try. Check out this direct link:
http://www.redlineoil.com/redlineoil/wwti.htm
My engine temp runs around 90 - 92 deg C when warm (ambient temp around 65 deg F) in driving in stop/go traffic. Also "estimate" that the mix was more like 60% antifreeze/40% water.
Replaced some of the antifreeze by siphoning off about a 1 gallon so mix was about 30%/60%. Then added 1-1/2 cans of Water Wetter introduced into the small overflow tube after removing the fluid from the overflow reservoir.
Lowered temp to around 83-85 deg C using same conditions as above.
Some words from Water Wetter site:
COOLANT EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE
Under moderate load conditions, each percent glycol raises cylinder head temperatures by 1°F. 50% glycol raises head temperatures by 45°F. This increase in temperature will raise the octane required for trace knock levels by typically 3.5 octane numbers. A car equipped with a knock sensor will retard the timing to compensate for the increase in octane requirement by approximately 5°, which will reduce the maximum brake torque by about 2.1%.
I'm impressed with the stuff!
[Edited by JimF on 04-04-2001 at 02:16 PM]