Waterford Hills Road Racing Forums

the current forecast for friday night has temps at the track in the lower 30s. Water Wetter claims it doesn't do anything to the freezing point of my otherwise H2O coolant. I have two questions, and I don't really trust the anonymous internet to answer them.

1. at what ambient temperature should I get worried about my engine?

2. what can I do to mitigate the risk of freezing if we're below that temp?

I do have a covered trailer, but I was hoping to sleep in it, and that would be tight with the car in there. I could leave the car and drive home, I guess, but I really don't wanna...

I'm scared to leave a portable heater running unattended.

if the car stays outside, how much heat would the engine bay preserve if I left a shop light on in it? any at all?

what options am I overlooking?

I'm laughing at myself for thinking this, so feel free to laugh at me for posting it.. Electric blankets? One above, one below? But, I think being outside would pretty much negate most minor heating attempts especially if there is any amount of wind. You might need to get cozy with that car in the trailer. Sorry. Good luck!
(+1 for bracket racers with no regulation on coolant, -1 for racecar)

My experience has been it takes a couple of days to form slush in a cooling system. I would
not worry. However, this is the internet, YMMV.

I'm with Dave, it takes a long time to become a problem when the Temps just go to 30. If worried, a shop "trouble" light left on in the engine bay, with the hood closed, would allow you to sleep better that night.

thanks guys. it helps hearing this from people I know (and people that I know actually have experience).

I dont think you should have a problem

For future reference..., we were hit with similar stuff Friday night at PittRace... my P2 was outside, with only a tarp over the cockpit to keep the rain away (but body installed, retains some heat). Low of 33 overnight, but when we fired the engine in the morning to warm it up, the coolant and oil were still 55F... far from being a concern (yes I did look at the coolant tank to check for slush!)...

924RACR wrote: ↑Mon May 03, 2021 7:44 amthe coolant and oil were still 55F...

wow, that's a pretty big gap. (and good to know)

Data is king!!