Coolant Additive

[Xist]

Twice in recorded history, Phoenix has had below-freezing temperatures for fourteen days straight--about a hundred years ago. The longest period of twenty-eight degrees or more was six days, eight years before I was born.

How much antifreeze do I need?

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by Xist

How much antifreeze do I need?

None if you keep an eye on the weather forecasts

[Mcgiiver]

In your situation, I would run, a 30% coolant, 70% distilled water, solution, with Water Wetter added. You don't need the temp protection that much, but the anti-corrosion and lubricating effects of coolant are beneficial. Coolant raises the boiling point also.

[TheGrimMechanic]

Best coolant I've ever run is a product made by Evans. It's a waterless coolant and it eliminates all of the problems associated with water based coolants. Changing over to Evans coolant requires COMPLETE removal of the old water based coolant. You can add water to the Evans stuff in a pinch (if you were in the middle of nowhere and sprung a leak) but you will need to flush and replace in order to regain the benefits.

The Evans coolant boils at nearly 400 degrees F and by using it, you eliminate all problems associated to corrosion caused by water based coolants. It also has a freezing temperature of below -40F and another benefit is that when it does freeze, it doesn't expand like water and pop freeze plugs.

Evans waterless coolant can also help fuel economy too. But not without some slight modifications. Because it doesn't transfer heat as fast as water, the engine temperature stays higher and if you have an electric cooling fan, you will have to figure out a way to raise the cycling temperature for the fan. Otherwise the fan will run more than it should.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Xist

Twice in recorded history, Phoenix has had below-freezing temperatures for fourteen days straight--about a hundred years ago. The longest period of twenty-eight degrees or more was six days, eight years before I was born.

How much antifreeze do I need?

Uh, depends upon what "spirits" you prefer to sip (ha,ha)!

Oh, you meant for your vehicle...follow the diretions on the container.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Uh, depends upon what "spirits" you prefer to sip (ha,ha)!

Oh, you meant for your vehicle...follow the diretions on the container.

I disagree. I vote for a 20/80 antifreeze/water mix due to the fact that Phoenix gets so Damn hot. I run a 20/80 in both of my cars but I always watch the weather. This winter if it starts getting too cold I'm gonna flush and fill with 50/50.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

I disagree. I vote for a 20/80 antifreeze/water mix due to the fact that Phoenix gets so Damn hot. I run a 20/80 in both of my cars but I always watch the weather. This winter if it starts getting too cold I'm gonna flush and fill with 50/50.

Most of the 'brand-name' coolants specify 50-50 mixture, except for FAR northern locales, like upper Alaska and Canada, etc.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Most of the 'brand-name' coolants specify 50-50 mixture, except for FAR northern locales, like upper Alaska and Canada, etc.

Well the reason for that is most places get sub zero temps in winter. Socal and some parts AZ don't really get that. Might as well run cooler by running 20/80. Water has much more heat absorption then antifreeze, at least that's what I was told. Only reason I don't run 100% water is because I know antifreeze raises the boiling temp.

[Andyinchville1]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Why did you need to lower your coolant temps? Creating a larger opening in the grill block, or using the correct thermostat is the proper way to control coolant/engine temperatures.

Water is an extremely good fluid for both conducting heat, and absorbing large quantities of energy.

Water Wetter's website shows how good water is in their chart. You'll notice the chart compares water to many substances, but not Water Wetter.

If I lived in a climate where extreme freezing was not a danger, I would lower the antifreeze ratio to something much lower, perhaps to 20%. This would greatly increase the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the coolant.

How bad does it freeze in Texas?



Water Wetter is a detergent, so it breaks the surface tension of water. It reduces the viscosity of water.

Hi

Just curious but if water wetter is a detergent could the same thing be accomplished by using a little Dawn dishwashing soap?

I have read that dish detergent also brake surface tension or soaps in general breaks surface tension of water plus I guess in theory soaps are generally bases so they should help neutralize any acids forming in the cooling system.

I know water wetter is not super expensive but if a little dish detergent would work and maybe even be better why not too?

Any thoughts on this crazy idea?


Andrew

[Piotrsko]

BNSF annd UP don't run antifreeze. They also tend to never turn off their diesels, have monster cooling systems.

2 drops Dawn would be enough for your system, but I am not sure that is the correct collections of chemicals to be applicable, would clean up the system nice however.

Friend used to swear by Basic H LTAIAGFFA