can i mix water and coolant if its the summer?

D_Train · 04-22-2007, 11:21 PM

Instead of going and buying coolant, can I just put water in with my coolant?

supraman121 · 04-22-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_Train

Instead of going and buying coolant, can I just put water in with my coolant?

I wouldnt think it would hurt anything i have a mixed coolant right now mainly water right now cause i leak coolant and dont want to spend the money for more every 3 weeks... but i wouldnt run water if it is cold were your at could cause the block to crack or crack the radiator if it should freeze, and if your not leaking coolant just go out and buy some antifreeze that is what i would suggest.

D_Train · 04-23-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supraman121

I wouldnt think it would hurt anything i have a mixed coolant right now mainly water right now cause i leak coolant and dont want to spend the money for more every 3 weeks... but i wouldnt run water if it is cold were your at could cause the block to crack or crack the radiator if it should freeze, and if your not leaking coolant just go out and buy some antifreeze that is what i would suggest.

yah, i'm leaking coolant, or a BHG. I just need this to get me until like, mid may

supraman121 · 04-23-2007, 12:55 AM

you blowing white smoke? or you have milky looking oil you your dip stick? if not look under the car for a puddle when you leave.

Sry about the cold climate thing lol i guess i didnt read the whole post.. sry but ya if its not cold i would run water.

Mark's MKII · 04-23-2007, 01:47 AM

As long as you don't mind rust building up in your block.

supraman121 · 04-23-2007, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark's MKII

As long as you don't mind rust building up in your block.

I guess thats right i had to ask someone but run some anit freeze with the water it should be so bad.

kwnate · 04-23-2007, 02:12 AM

Coolant also raises the boiling point of the water. Just buy some coolant and mix it 50 50. Its cheap compared to a motor rebuild.

supramacist · 04-23-2007, 02:51 AM

I like 70 / 30 .

I don't like buying the premix.

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.

04-22-2007, 11:21 PM	#1
D_Train 3" Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 214	can i mix water and coolant if its the summer? Instead of going and buying coolant, can I just put water in with my coolant?

04-23-2007, 12:55 AM	#4
supraman121 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 361	you blowing white smoke? or you have milky looking oil you your dip stick? if not look under the car for a puddle when you leave. Sry about the cold climate thing lol i guess i didnt read the whole post.. sry but ya if its not cold i would run water. __________________ Upgrades- 225/50/R16's Kumho ECSTA AST (KU25) 273 bucks with shipping Magnaflow exhaust NO KAT K&N Air Filter www.myspace.com/coreyjstevens http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=1536317037 <------ this one should work check out the accident one aswell ya i might be a "fat kid" but i sure can move fast!~

04-23-2007, 02:12 AM	#7
kwnate SP58GT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 633	Coolant also raises the boiling point of the water. Just buy some coolant and mix it 50 50. Its cheap compared to a motor rebuild. __________________ Nate

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04-23-2007, 01:47 AM	#5
Mark's MKII 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Joelton TN. Posts: 70	As long as you don't mind rust building up in your block.

04-23-2007, 02:51 AM	#8
supramacist 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Escape from the Prison Planet Posts: 1,356	I like 70 / 30 . I don't like buying the premix.

04-23-2007, 06:05 AM	#9
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	#10
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.