[DeTomaso] Does antifreeze "ferment" or something?

[Larry - Ohio Time]

Charlie,

The possibility always exists that you could have some crud in the heater
loop. One should open the valves at least once a year to get new coolant in
the loop. 

The best thing would be to remove the hoses on the back side of the valves
and flush the lines out....too late for that.

I have had a car sit for that long and it did not clog up the system, so 
I say be warm and go for it!

If I recall correctly you installed one of them cooling system filters in
your car. Make sure the filter is in and clean it after you run it for a
wile.

Larry (have some wine for me) - Cleveland



-----Original Message-----
From: DeTomaso [mailto:detomaso-bounces at server.detomasolist.com] On Behalf
Of Charles McCall
Sent: Friday, October 21, 2016 7:09 AM
To: Detomaso Email List
Subject: [DeTomaso] Does antifreeze "ferment" or something?

Hi all
Many years ago (10? 15?) I installed two valves under the car to shut off
flow of coolant to the heater core inside the cabin. This is commonly done,
either as a safety requirement in certain series to avoid the possibility
of a hose bursting inside the cabin, or in an effort to improve the A/C. In
my case I did it to help improve the A/C by avoiding the possibility that
the valve doesn't shut 100% and some hot water is circulating through the
heater core.

I haven't opened the valve since I installed it. 10 or 15 years ago. As
time has passed, I've become more and more afraid to open it, thinking "if
it ain't broke, don't fix it". I have no leaks, etc.

Heading out this weekend for what will probably be the last car event of
the year in the Rioja, 3-4 hours from home. If you are a fan of wines the
name may mean something to you, and if it doesn't, it should!!

Forecast is for unseasonably cold weather all weekend. I've toyed with the
idea of opening the valve to have heat, but I am afraid of creating a
problem where I don't have one now. What happens to antifreeze in a sealed
circuit over the years? Is there a good reason to leave it shut? Or will it
last indefinitely and I can open it risk-free?