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...with some clarification on my procedures:
>> 4) Its prowess as a conditioner has not been proven by the scientific >> method, with the evidence of it working better as a conditioner than
>> modern coolant alone being anecdotal.
We agree that it does not harm well-maintained cooling systems, and that as a conditioner its benefit isn't proven by objective tests. I would then presume that its effect as a conditioner is either neutral or positive, and I like the odds, especially with my experience with it in my '91 9KT (11 years total) and my '66 Corvette (20 years total).
>> I can understand this approach. Bob has encountered the "popular"
>> heater core leak in a 9000 that wasn't treated with BL.
I've practiced both techniques. To clarify, my '91 had BL installed from the outset, and its cooling system continues to be trouble free 11 years later at 177k. My '95 Aero was acquired in '99 with the usual heater-core seapage, which BL fixed instantly. Thus, I've practiced both the preventive-maintenance approach, where BL is installed at the outset of ownership without symptoms; and the add-when-needed method.
I also installed it in my '66 Corvette in '82 soon after I purchased it. It demonstrated minor head-gasket seapage into the combustion chamber and a leak at the point of a stock heater-hose spring clamp. The head-gasket problem manifested itself as a faint coolant odor from the right exhaust pipe only when the engine was cold. The BL fixed both problems and neither have recurred.
If I buy a new or used car, I will probably opt for the first approach, like I did my '91. As a rationale, I like the odds that its claimed conditioning prowress is providing at least *some* benefit over coolant alone. Whereas even though BL was originally developed as a conditioner, I see no objective evidence that it conditions better than coolant alone. I also don't see where there is proof that as a conditioner coolant is markedly better than it was 20 years ago. It probably is, but I haven't seen tests that demonstrate it yay or nay either.
I fully undertstand the wisdom of either approach to using BL, but like you would like to stress the importance of regular maintenance, regardless of whether BL is used or not.
One thing you didn't cover that should be emphasized is that all BL products are essentially identical, though the liquid being probably easier to install and more appropriate for modern reservoir applications.
posted by 68.11.251...
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