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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 126
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 126 |
Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Real easy to do. A lotta coolant will come out but you just fill back up with water/antifreeze, or in my case just water. I don't like our stock temp gauges at all, they're fairly accurate but very slow to respond. Like when mine is at at 0 it's usually ~170 degrees, but if it's getting hotter it takes it a while to move up and then a while for it to move back down once the temp has dropped.
Help me understand why you prefer straight H2O vs an appropiate coolant mixture; curious.
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Joined: May 2002
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I have no life
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I have no life
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Seeing as there was an approriate coolant mixture already in there, and I wasn't replacing it all, just replacing what came out from changing the t-stat, I just added water. Water is what does the cooling and it doesn't get particularly cold here, so I a ~70(water/30(antifreeze) mixture is fine for me and cools better than a 50/50.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 126
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 126 |
Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Seeing as there was an approriate coolant mixture already in there, and I wasn't replacing it all, just replacing what came out from changing the t-stat, I just added water. Water is what does the cooling and it doesn't get particularly cold here, so I a ~70(water/30(antifreeze) mixture is fine for me and cools better than a 50/50.
I'm not going to assume that much; "proper coolant mixture already there". There are ways to accurately determine this. My understanding is that the coolant, additive package and water combine to do the cooling, not just water alone. You might want to reference the following URL: http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/coolant_&_radiator_service.htm Granted, this is not everything there is to know about automotive cooling systems, but it is a decent primer.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
..... Water is what does the cooling and it doesn't get particularly cold here, so I a ~70(water/30(antifreeze) mixture is fine for me and cools better than a 50/50.
This link shows the variation in the properties of coolant (heat transfer fluid) as the % of ethylene glycol is varied. Note that increase in boiling point is as important as thermal conductivity since steam is not an effective heat transfer agent. OEM thermostats are fully open at 210 and 216 F degrees for Duratec and Zetec respectively.
Minimum recommended level for anti-rust protection is 45% antifreeze/water mixture for Contiques, with a maximum of 60% for increased anti-freeze protection. Nominal is of course 50/50.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
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Joined: Dec 2002
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CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Excellent data. I also am aware that the PH factor of the water as well as the additive package has a bearing on longevity of cooling system as well as cooling effectiveness. Diesel cooling systems requirements are designed for severe duty applications; NASCAR has made use of this area for it's vehicles. I make it a point of testing my coolant mixture, made up of the proper IG as well as SCA's, along with distilled water. Seems to work well, one of my radiators in my 1979 GMC G-25 has lasted 24 years without need for repair. I tow an RV trailer and have not had any cooling issues ever. YMMV - Bill
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Joined: May 2002
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Well I assumed that much since I've changed the coolant twice (recently) before using a 50/50 mixture. You don't have too worry too much as long as your have enough antifreeze to protect from boilover (in my case, freezing point isn't a huge concern and almost any amount of antifreeze will do for where I live). As long as I keep it changed regularly, rust,etc. won't be a worry either.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 126
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Posts: 126 |
Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Well I assumed that much since I've changed the coolant twice (recently) before using a 50/50 mixture. You don't have too worry too much as long as your have enough antifreeze to protect from boilover (in my case, freezing point isn't a huge concern and almost any amount of antifreeze will do for where I live). As long as I keep it changed regularly, rust,etc. won't be a worry either.
You know what they say about "assume"? ;-)
Since the boiling point is directly dependent on the mixture (%/ratio) of H20 and coolant, I believe it makes sense to know this data. I desire maximum benefit/maximum boiling point. I suspect you are correct in that you started with a 50/50 mixture (mixture still able to prevent boilover in Ga. this time of the year), I just don't like leaving things to chance or guess work. Hard, fast data is easier to work with, for me. I then record this info into a program that tracks all vehicle preventative maintenance and repair. Of course each to his own in the area of preventative maintenance.
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