Date:         Fri, 10 Sep 1999 13:13:14 -0700
Reply-To:     harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: waterboxer overhaul and coolant problem fix?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Björn,
Where does the heat go?
That is what I asked Russ Meeks at RM Engineering
(ceramic coating expert in Portland, Oregon).
He explained the excess heat goes out the exhaust.
By coating the combustion chamber, you will transfer
less heat into the aluminum heads and engine block and coolant.

He explained that the temperature increase in the coated combustion
chamber is insignificant, and not enough to harm other parts,
like valves, cylinder tops, rings, etc.
Some of his customers also coat other engine parts, like
tops of the pistons and valves.
This could further reduce the amount of heat transferred to
the engine block, but Russ assured me that wasn't necessary.
Usually ceramic coating is primarily used in race cars and hot rods, etc.
Engines that burn much hotter than our wasserboxer.
Without internal ceramic coating, some race car engines would
self-destruct in minutes.

Electrolysis:
Heat accelerates electrolysis. Boats in warm water corrode
more rapidly than in cooler climates.
Probably the same with our cylinder heads.
Just some thoughts.

Harald
'90 westy

Björn Ratjen wrote:
>
> Regarding hotspots:
>
> Even if there are hotspots and the coolant deteriorates we need to
consider
> electrolysis through the deteriorating coolant.
> The next question is: where are the hotspots?
>
> Coating is a twosided option. If you do not have good heat transfer,
where
> does the heat go? Ideally heat should be transfered evenly but relatively
> efficiently. Ceramic coating may also decrease electrolysis due to less
> exposure of metal which is potentially positive. Another option to reduce
> hotspots is to increase even flow. This can be done through polishing and
> maybe also through some coating as well as through increase of the
overall
> flow (different waterpump?).