Running just water

[OhBuoy]

There was a thread a few months back that must have gone bye bye with the server, so here are some questions...

If running just water, someone suggested an additive. I thought it was from Prestone, but I cannot find reference to it. It was a lubricant for the pump I beleive.

For those of you not fortunate enough to live in a warm climate year round, what do you do come winter time? Do you put some antifreeze in and run it, then drain it in the summer? Do you store what you drain?

Tom

[scottj]

Tom,
It's Prestone Super Anti-Rust. The recommendation comes from Stewart Components.
For the winter I park it in a heated garage.
Scott

[DanElam]

You may remember from your high school chemistry class that impurities to pure water lower the boiling point. Glycol (the active ingredient in anti-freeze) has a much lower boiling point than water.

Water Wetter is the additive that most track guys run. You can buy it at PEP Boys or just about any race shop. (Better yet, go to the track and someone will have some for sale.) The manufacturer claims that Water Wetter works by having a very large molecule that allows it to move more heat away from the engine faster than water. The boiling point would still be lowered slightly, but it makes up for it by moving heat faster. Some argue that Water Wetter, Prestone, or others are also helpful for lubrication of the water pump.

As for us, we run water or water & water-wetter during race season and then add anti-freeze just for the cold months when we are in danger of freezing. It has to be out by the time you get to the track though because it is very slippery and a hazard if it gets on the track.

[scottj]

Ethylene Glycol has a much higher boiling point than water and when mixed with water raises the boiling point. The problem is that it reduces the efficiency of the cooling system. So far nothing transfers heat more efficiently than pure water...scientifically speaking that is.

[rdorman]

I have run nothing but distilled water, water wetter and a corrosion/lube additive for years. No problems and clean as a whistle.

[RedSnake351]

Originally Posted by rdorman

I have run nothing but distilled water, water wetter and a corrosion/lube additive for years. No problems and clean as a whistle.

But being in Ohio what do you do in the winter? Drain and store? Add antifreeze? Or like Scott, store in an above freezing environment?
Ralph

[rdorman]

Originally Posted by RedSnake351

But being in Ohio what do you do in the winter? Drain and store? Add antifreeze? Or like Scott, store in an above freezing environment?
Ralph

I have never had a problem. The garage stays warm enough.

[OhBuoy]

The garage stays warm enough scares me! I have a heater in the garage, but it does not have a thermostat, and since it is esentially an open flame on the wall, it scares me to have it come on on it's own. It seems like such a waste to throw out a toxic substance like antifreeze when I am just using it to store over the winter. Can you jsut drain the cooling system and then fill it in the summer? I would think that this would have potential corrosian issues being exposed to air, and my luck I would have a pocket of water that would freeze.

[RedSnake351]

Originally Posted by OhBuoy

... It seems like such a waste to throw out a toxic substance like antifreeze when I am just using it to store over the winter. ...

Tom, there shouldn't be any reason not to re-use the stuff year after year if you're just using it to store it over the winter months.
Ralph

[dlampe]

The boiling point issue can be addressed with a higher pressure cap. That will significantly raise your boiling point without losing the cooling properties of distilled water.

[slithering]

Tom

I use Evans Cooling System in my car. There's no water in their system. This eliminates corrosion, freezing and the boiling point is about 290 degrees. I love it, works great for my 427.

Chris