If the temperature on my car stays at 170* all the time and proper pressure is maintained on the cooling system, is there any actual steam flowing through the steam pipe or would it all be liquid coolant? Also, it's my understanding that the steam pipe has a constant flow through it. Is this correct?

I would think if the temperature is below boiling point, the system has pressure on it, which in turn would raise the boiling point, and the mixture was 50/50 (water/DEX cool), there would be no steam flowing through the steam pipe at 170* with the correct pressure on the system, only liquid.

Your thoughts please.

 

"preassure" at "170" is generalized, local temperature can far exceed 170 degrees, I can't remember the term at the moment but essentially you end up with small pockets of vapor at host spots, they last for a split second then the flow of the coolant carries them away. This produces the steam, so theoretically even with a steady 170 degree temp there are small localized spots will exceed 170 degrees and will produce steam.

 

It generally is liquid in that pipe but that does not mean you can delete it or anything, it is a flowing part of the system and deleting it would negatively affect cooling the rear chambers.