Water as coolant?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 103
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From: Michigan
Water as coolant? CLiffs:
Drilled a hoel in my radiator and used Bars stop leak to fix it. Forgot to clamp the radiator hose and lost alot of fluid on a drive when it popped off. Filled the radiator with water (1 gallon) to get it home(1/4 mile). Is it ok to keep it liek this or should i flush the cooling system?
Thanks
Drilled a hoel in my radiator and used Bars stop leak to fix it. Forgot to clamp the radiator hose and lost alot of fluid on a drive when it popped off. Filled the radiator with water (1 gallon) to get it home(1/4 mile). Is it ok to keep it liek this or should i flush the cooling system?
Thanks
I would flush it out, and add the proper Dex cool to it. Water will work for emergencies, but for long term I would stick with Dex coll as it has special additives to help keep temps down.
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 32
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I might be wrong, but it was always my understanding that antifreeze/coolant is really just antifreeze. Water is what actually cools the engine. I always run a higher % of water in the summer months and have never had any problems, but this is on a 35 year old BB.
Just watch your temp guage you should be fine. The coolant system in total holds something like 5 gallons of fluid, so if you were at 50/50 before and you added in a gallon of water you probably won't notice much of a difference. there are lots of guys who use water wetter and water only. when you do your radiator flush make sure that you're doing a real flush not just draining the radiator as that will only replace about 40% of your coolant.
the only danger would be overheating - water boils at 212 whereas your coolant boils at 260 or so depending on how old it is... as long as you weren't having over heating problems before you'll probably be ok, just keep an eye on it. Check your coolant level again to make sure you didn't lose more fluid than you originally thought.
the only danger would be overheating - water boils at 212 whereas your coolant boils at 260 or so depending on how old it is... as long as you weren't having over heating problems before you'll probably be ok, just keep an eye on it. Check your coolant level again to make sure you didn't lose more fluid than you originally thought.
I wouldn't run too long like that, but you'll be ok for a week. Antifreeze also has additives in it that lubricate the bearings in your water pump. Running straight water for an extended period could shorten your pump life.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57
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From: NC
Originally Posted by staringback05
running alot of water can damage the radiator after time, its good to have a good mixture becuase the antifreeze keeps the water from boiling away, you need to flush it out and start over
I use straight distilled water with a bottle of RMI-25 in both the GN and the TA and they love it.
Water won't hurt for a short trip but I wouldn't leave just water in it. When the hotter months come you will boil over and in the winter you could crack your block if the water freezes. I'd say get it out and put the right combination in.
The antifreeze increases the boiling point and decreases the freezing point.
You car wants to run at 190 F and straight up water boils are 212. No hotrodding or stopped traffic and you should be fine running water for short times.
You car wants to run at 190 F and straight up water boils are 212. No hotrodding or stopped traffic and you should be fine running water for short times.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 229
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From: cobourg ON
not sure if you guys remebered but the rad cap raises the boiling point on any liuid contained in the system.. for every 1lb of pressure you will have 3 degree increase in boiling point so if there is a 15lb rad cap on the system that means the system can now handle 45 degrees more heat before flashing aka boiling over. so your 212 is now 257degree.
as for the coolent dex cool is simply an aluminum safe antifreeze agent that resists corosion to aluminum better then the original green antifreeze, yes some people say mixing them with create problems but again this is a myth as testing has proven there is no conflicting agents in either mixture to cause a problem with the other.
anitfreeze contains lubricants to help prolong pump life yes as well a 60/40 mixture of water and antifreeze absorbs and disperses heat the best for those southerners. Myself am from canada and have never used anything but 60/40 mix and never had a problem even parking it in the bitter cold of ontario winters.
sorry for the long input as i know this was a while ago your hose blew off but I found this a good time to share some weath of knowledge.
as for the coolent dex cool is simply an aluminum safe antifreeze agent that resists corosion to aluminum better then the original green antifreeze, yes some people say mixing them with create problems but again this is a myth as testing has proven there is no conflicting agents in either mixture to cause a problem with the other.
anitfreeze contains lubricants to help prolong pump life yes as well a 60/40 mixture of water and antifreeze absorbs and disperses heat the best for those southerners. Myself am from canada and have never used anything but 60/40 mix and never had a problem even parking it in the bitter cold of ontario winters.
sorry for the long input as i know this was a while ago your hose blew off but I found this a good time to share some weath of knowledge.
People the reason your WATER and ANTFREEZE does not boil in the radiator is because its under pressure.... Ever notice the pressure rating on the radiator cap? LOL You could fill the radiator with STRAIGHT water run at 230 and the WATER will not boil. I always run about an 75% pure antifreeze/coolant to 25% distilled water mix. You shouldnt run straight tap water for a long period of time because it can cause silica deposits etc in the radiatior/block. It is ABSOLUTELY fine to run a mixture in your engine. Much better than crappy *** Dexcool.
acutally ive seen it cause leaks because of the steam with straight water...its kinda weird...id presonally never fill it totally with water...i do agree with the deposits on the radiator ive seen that..
Originally Posted by staringback05
acutally ive seen it cause leaks because of the steam with straight water...its kinda weird...id presonally never fill it totally with water...i do agree with the deposits on the radiator ive seen that..
FWIW water is a superior cooling fluid to anti freeze, especially if it's under pressure.
The reason you use antifreeze,is 2 fold
1 lubrication for the waterpump bearings
2 to prevent freezing in below 32* weather
If you're going to use water, make sure it's distilled, as tap water contains a variety of minerals that will eventually clog up your radiator. That being said tap water is ok to use in an emergency (hell I've even used water from a ditch to get back on the road)
If you do use tap water(or any other than distilled) flush the system out ASAP
The reason you use antifreeze,is 2 fold
1 lubrication for the waterpump bearings
2 to prevent freezing in below 32* weather
If you're going to use water, make sure it's distilled, as tap water contains a variety of minerals that will eventually clog up your radiator. That being said tap water is ok to use in an emergency (hell I've even used water from a ditch to get back on the road)
If you do use tap water(or any other than distilled) flush the system out ASAP