can i mix water and coolant if its the summer?

Kuban · 04-23-2007, 06:05 AM

Running straight water is extremely bad. For one rust in your block. Second if its running straight water what happens is the metal surfaces that the water "trys" to cool is so hott that the water doesnt actually take heat away from it because little air bubbles form on the metal surface. So the water never gets a chance to cool off the metal surface. Ill post a link that better describes it than my jargon. Coolant basically helps cool the block more than straight water. You will most likely overheat.

Watch this little video

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_c...coolantFlash=1

BTW nice to see another wisconsin boy.

IHateHacks · 04-23-2007, 01:14 PM

Tap water is not meant for use in an engines cooling system. Tap water contains many chemicals like chlorine and flouride, and metals like copper and zinc that are found naturally in tap water depending on where you live. These compounds will damage your cooling system. Plus all of these impurities raise the freezing point and lower the boiling point of the water.

Whenever you mix antifreeze with water you must use distilled water. There are not many people that do this practice and it shows by all the radiator failures and water pump failures I see almost everyday.

Distilled water is the only water you can put in your cooling system. They sell it at any large chain supermarket. I use poland spring distilled water, its only $1.50 a gallon with no tax.

As far as mixtures go, 70/30 is really pushing your luck in the summer months. You are lowering your boiling point with that mixture. The only time you need that concentration is if you live up near the arctic circle where temps constantly stay below 0 degrees F. After 80% antifreeze concentration, the mixture's boiling point actually begins to lower dramaticly. A 100% antifreeze concentration will cause your engine to overheat, it's been proven. A 50/50 mixture provides the highest boiling point out of any mixture percentage. Even at 60/40 the boiling point is lower than at 50/50.

D_Train · 04-23-2007, 02:04 PM

Thanks for the tips guys! I guess i just won't be a lazy ass and i'll make it to the store for some 50/50. Nice to see another milwaukee guy!

supramacist · 04-23-2007, 03:46 PM

I meant 70% coolant. 30% water. Is this still wrong. I agree with the distilled water. There just aren't many people that take that time. I am guilty of not always doing it myself.

How can 70/30 be bad when they sell 50/50 ?? I also use high dollar antifreeze. I don't use the cheap chit main.

IHateHacks · 04-23-2007, 03:55 PM

That is what XX/XX means= Coolant%/water%.

Like I said, you don't need 70/30 unless it stays below 0 degrees F, not 0 degrees C, 0 degrees F which is -18 degrees C. Doesn't get that cold in the US. You are lowering your boiling point with 70% coolant/30% water mixture.

I only use prestone for any make/model and distilled.

supramacist · 04-23-2007, 04:24 PM

I thought I knew what I was talking about now I am just confused.

So I am mixing it too rich is what you are saying?
I have always been under the impression that it was best to use straight, no mix.

Especially in the winter.

IHateHacks · 04-23-2007, 04:32 PM

50/50 is the best mixure to use in the summer or the winter. Not 100/0 (all coolant). Not 0/100 (all water). Not 70/30. Even if it was 0 degrees F outside and you ran 100% coolant your engine would still overheat. This is not my opinion, its a proven fact.

Did you get that crank pulley off yet?

04-23-2007, 04:32 PM	#7
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	50/50 is the best mixure to use in the summer or the winter. Not 100/0 (all coolant). Not 0/100 (all water). Not 70/30. Even if it was 0 degrees F outside and you ran 100% coolant your engine would still overheat. This is not my opinion, its a proven fact. Did you get that crank pulley off yet? Last edited by IHateHacks; 04-23-2007 at 04:36 PM.

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04-23-2007, 06:05 AM	#1
Kuban 3" Exhaust Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 174	Running straight water is extremely bad. For one rust in your block. Second if its running straight water what happens is the metal surfaces that the water "trys" to cool is so hott that the water doesnt actually take heat away from it because little air bubbles form on the metal surface. So the water never gets a chance to cool off the metal surface. Ill post a link that better describes it than my jargon. Coolant basically helps cool the block more than straight water. You will most likely overheat. Watch this little video http://www.redlineoil.com/products_c...coolantFlash=1 BTW nice to see another wisconsin boy.

04-23-2007, 01:14 PM	#2
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	Tap water is not meant for use in an engines cooling system. Tap water contains many chemicals like chlorine and flouride, and metals like copper and zinc that are found naturally in tap water depending on where you live. These compounds will damage your cooling system. Plus all of these impurities raise the freezing point and lower the boiling point of the water. Whenever you mix antifreeze with water you must use distilled water. There are not many people that do this practice and it shows by all the radiator failures and water pump failures I see almost everyday. Distilled water is the only water you can put in your cooling system. They sell it at any large chain supermarket. I use poland spring distilled water, its only $1.50 a gallon with no tax. As far as mixtures go, 70/30 is really pushing your luck in the summer months. You are lowering your boiling point with that mixture. The only time you need that concentration is if you live up near the arctic circle where temps constantly stay below 0 degrees F. After 80% antifreeze concentration, the mixture's boiling point actually begins to lower dramaticly. A 100% antifreeze concentration will cause your engine to overheat, it's been proven. A 50/50 mixture provides the highest boiling point out of any mixture percentage. Even at 60/40 the boiling point is lower than at 50/50.

04-23-2007, 02:04 PM	#3
D_Train 3" Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 214	Thanks for the tips guys! I guess i just won't be a lazy ass and i'll make it to the store for some 50/50. Nice to see another milwaukee guy!

04-23-2007, 03:46 PM	#4
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	I meant 70% coolant. 30% water. Is this still wrong. I agree with the distilled water. There just aren't many people that take that time. I am guilty of not always doing it myself. How can 70/30 be bad when they sell 50/50 ?? I also use high dollar antifreeze. I don't use the cheap chit main.

04-23-2007, 03:55 PM	#5
IHateHacks 20psi boost Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Haven/Hamden Posts: 793	That is what XX/XX means= Coolant%/water%. Like I said, you don't need 70/30 unless it stays below 0 degrees F, not 0 degrees C, 0 degrees F which is -18 degrees C. Doesn't get that cold in the US. You are lowering your boiling point with 70% coolant/30% water mixture. I only use prestone for any make/model and distilled.

04-23-2007, 04:24 PM	#6
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	I thought I knew what I was talking about now I am just confused. So I am mixing it too rich is what you are saying? I have always been under the impression that it was best to use straight, no mix. Especially in the winter.