Water to glycol ratio?

[SandyC]

I'm getting ready to add some water to my expansion tank and was wondering what ratio of water to antifreeze you use in the Phoenix area typically.

My water level is just barely covering the bottom of the expansion tank now when cold. How full do you usually fill it when cold. Half way?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

I generally use about a 50/50 mix. I don't think the region makes a big difference unless you live in a sub-zero climate. Anti-freeze also prevents corrosion in the system.

[Danr55]

What does make a big difference is if you're using anything like water wetter.. If so, you should always keep the percentage of water around 65% to 70%. If not then 50% is fine.

[Mulv]

If you really want to run cool, use 100% water and add a rust inhibitor and water wetter... every drop of anti freeze reduces the efficiency of your cooling system. The odds of your car freezing in this area ---> also Zero..

Before Mister Know-It-All chimes in:

The Importance of Coolant
Another easy way to protect your engine
by Debbie Murphy



Whether you call it engine coolant or antifreeze, the fluid in your radiator multi-tasks, circulating throughout your engine block and keeping the works purring like a kitten.
What is Coolant?
Generally, coolant is a half-and-half mixture of a form of glycol and water. The glycol represents the antifreeze element of the mix, guaranteeing that the fluid doesn't turn into solid ice under harsh winter conditions. On the other hand, glycol also prevents the coolant from reaching the boiling point in Death Valley heat; it keeps engine temperatures stable under all climate extremes and driving conditions by transferring heat from the engine to the radiator.
Interestingly, pure water actually transfers heat better than coolant (that's why you see straight water used in the radiators of some types of racecars). However, coolant/antifreeze includes additional additives that prevent rust and corrosion in the radiator, engine and the vehicle's heater.

http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/art...cid=3&scccid=4

[Dwight]

Mulv

I agreed 100%

my buddies Cobra was running hot with a 5.0 EFI engine. After weeks of trying everything to cool it down, I ask him how much anti-freeze he was running. He said 80%. I suggested he try 20 - 25% anti-freeze. He did and the over heating problem solved.
Another buddies big block Cobra had overheating problem and part of that was to much anti-freeze.
We live in North Alabama and most of the time it does not drop below freezing. All our Cobras are in garages so we do not need a -40 degree protection. Just a little anti-freeze to keep everything slick.

Dwight

[wtm442]

I use a 50/50 mixture up here in Massachusetts, but just as important ....

DISTILLED WATER

no tap water!

[bobcowan]

I live in CO, where below freezing temps are pretty common. I usually park in the garage, but not always. I use 2 qts anti-freeze, tap water (we have good water here), and a bottle of surfactant - either Red Line "Water Wetter" or Royal Purple "Purple Ice". That seems just about the perfect mix.

[rokndad]

Like WTM said, I run distilled water, one bottle of watter wetter, one small bottle of BAR's Leak, and one gallon of ethylene glycol.....about a 25% mix. No signs of corrosion on internal parts, and no little leaks anywhere.

Will idle all day in traffic at 85 degrees and has never gotten hot. Fan cycles on and off quite a bit while standing.

[Bob In Ct]

FYI
Many racers use only water in their cooling systems because thay have to. Antifreeze can be very slippery when it gets on the track, so often times it is not allowed.

Bob

[rokndad]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

FYI
Many racers use only water in their cooling systems because thay have to. Antifreeze can be very slippery when it gets on the track, so often times it is not allowed.

Bob

That's why I run a closed system with a 2-1/2 qt Moon Overflow tank that siphons back to the surge tank. No drops anywhere and always a closed system. Will always pass tech.

[Mulv]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

FYI
Many racers use only water in their cooling systems because thay have to. Antifreeze can be very slippery when it gets on the track, so often times it is not allowed.

Bob

they may have to, but it is also much more efficient heat transfer with distilled water alone and the rust inhibitor/lubricant.

Here is an article on the topic:

http://stason.org/TULARC/vehicles/vw...tive-cool.html

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by Mulv

they may have to, but it is also much more efficient heat transfer with distilled water alone and the rust inhibitor/lubricant.

Here is an article on the topic:

http://stason.org/TULARC/vehicles/vw...tive-cool.html

The six road courses I've been on specifically say "water only, no type of anti-freeze allowed".....Some check it, some don't... For racing only purposes, it's a safety thing....in case of a ruptured radiator or busted hose, you'll spill everything on the track and anti-freeze on asphalt is about the same as engine oil, NOT GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have run thru it before and it ain't fun.........

David

[Bob In Ct]

My snake runs just fine on a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze. Because I don't ever have an overheating problem I run this ratio since it fight corrosion, raises the boiling point of the coolant, lowers the freezing point of the coolant and lubricates the water pump.

If the mixture caused me to have overheating problems in the summer months I would do whatever I had to do to avoid that issue. For those of us not having overheating issues I would recommend a 50/50 mixture with distilled water.

Bob

[SandyC]

Thanks for all the replies. My mixture originally was 50/50 but I was down about 2 qts. so I added 12oz Water Wetter (no Water Wetter in coolant previously) and topped off with distilled water to fill the system. My ratio now is 45 glycol/55 water along with the Water Wetter.

My temp gauge reads in Celsius and before typically ran in the 85-90 range. Now after the Water Wetter and additional coolant it runs in the 80-85 range on an 80 deg. F day when running moderately hard. After coverting to Fahrenheit this works out to about a 10 degree improvement. Not bad.

[Mulv]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

My snake runs just fine on a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze. Because I don't ever have an overheating problem I run this ratio since it fight corrosion, raises the boiling point of the coolant, lowers the freezing point of the coolant and lubricates the water pump.

If the mixture caused me to have overheating problems in the summer months I would do whatever I had to do to avoid that issue. For those of us not having overheating issues I would recommend a 50/50 mixture with distilled water.

Bob

Not to beat a dead horse or anything.. I should have read your location, you only get mild Spring like temperatures up there and it is a lot easier to cool off your engine when it is only 90 degrees out .

We have almost 5 months of 95-100+ temps. Last year we had 112 days over 100.. and probably 20 at 100. Anti freeze smells terrible too, everyone who lives in the Sonoran Desert knows that very well

It is better here to use distilled water, water wetter and a bottle of the lubricant component found in antifreeze than to do a 50/50 ratio..

Come on down in August when it 110 and raining - you'll get the picture..

Good input though , just not what it is in this geography


Sandy, that is the water temperature, right?? That was only 194 and now it is 185. Do you have a 160 thermostat in there? If you do, you might want to use an infrared temp tester like we use for race tyres, cause the gauge may be wacky. That seems like heat soak.. Jeff Classic knows about that I think.. El Jeffe?

Thanks

Steve