Winterizing a race car
11-02-2007 | 10:20 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 300
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From: Tenafly, NJ
Winterizing a race car
My 944 spec car runs water as coolant. I'm afraid it'll freeze over the winter (I live in MN) so I want to know what to do. I can just try to drain it but water will probably remain in the engine and possibly damage it by freezing. I can add anti freeze or drain and refill with 50/50 but someone said it's hard to get it all out to pass tech the following spring.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
11-03-2007 | 09:02 AM
#2
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,994
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From: Royal Oak, MI
The idea of having to have no coolant this far north to pass tech is BS. I run coolant in my racecar, never an issue - just keep it all in the engine. Like we all have heated garages???
11-03-2007 | 12:52 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,096
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From: Burke, VA
Im getting ready to mix some coolant in with the distilled water for an upcoming DE. Ill leave the coolant in until March or April when we get away from the freezing weather. A simple drain and refill wont get all of it out, but close enough. Drain and refill it again if youre worried about it.
11-03-2007 | 04:08 PM
#4
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Joined: Dec 2005
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I think you have to get the car inside or get a good mix of anti in there. See the other thread about antifireeze. Also, if you have an ESS fire system remember to get the bottle out of the car. I have a trouble light hanging by mine until I can get the car inside.
11-05-2007 | 10:37 AM
#7
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,643
Likes: 8
From: Phoenix, Az
Billy,
Drain the water and add in 50/50 mix (or 60% coolant). Run the motor and get it nice and warm. This will allow for what is left in the motor to mix well. That is about it.
In the spring when it its time to race drain and refill with water. I am pretty certain if you run an event when still cool and there is chance of freezing you can run the coolant and be ok.
I have raced with NASA for 5+ years and never seen any car checked for coolant.
Drain the water and add in 50/50 mix (or 60% coolant). Run the motor and get it nice and warm. This will allow for what is left in the motor to mix well. That is about it.
In the spring when it its time to race drain and refill with water. I am pretty certain if you run an event when still cool and there is chance of freezing you can run the coolant and be ok.
I have raced with NASA for 5+ years and never seen any car checked for coolant.
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That was nasty since I just put the 3 p-cars away last weekend! 
11-06-2007 | 11:56 AM
#9
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,017
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From: Garden State
My 944 spec car runs water as coolant. I'm afraid it'll freeze over the winter (I live in MN) so I want to know what to do. I can just try to drain it but water will probably remain in the engine and possibly damage it by freezing. I can add anti freeze or drain and refill with 50/50 but someone said it's hard to get it all out to pass tech the following spring.
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
If you undo the bottom hose from the radiator, you will drain most of the coolant and then filling with water/wetter will pass any tech for no-antifreez.
11-06-2007 | 01:33 PM
#10
RIP
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Sorry man. I guess I should feel bad as you guys are prepping for winter and I'm prepping for 2 DE's in the next 4 weeks. Dang, I did it again.
To make you feel better, winter has set in here too. We just had a cold front blow in and it's in the low 60's. Brrrrrr. We're in the deep freeze until the weekend when the highs will finally be back in the 80s. I can't stop.
To make you feel better, winter has set in here too. We just had a cold front blow in and it's in the low 60's. Brrrrrr. We're in the deep freeze until the weekend when the highs will finally be back in the 80s. I can't stop.
