2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.
Sponsored by:

Winter maintennance.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-22-05, 10:05 AM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
jn2k108's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Winter maintennance.

So the winter is coming and my friend and I were arguing whether to put 50/50 in the radiator or just full antifreeze. I said to put only antifreeze because the water will freeze and then create cracks in the radiator. Then he goes your suppose to blah blah blah. So, who is RIGHT? I believe you do 50/50 over the summer right or normal temps?
Old 10-22-05, 10:09 AM
  #2  
Drift FC

iTrader: (8)
 
CyborgRyu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
you're stupid.

the only reason you put anti freeze in your radiator is so your water DOESN'T freeze.

What most people do is run pure distilled water during the summer and 50/50 in the winter. or 75/25, depends how cold it gets. I bet you'll have to go back to your friend and sound like a ricer

btw: try putting 100% anti freeze in your motor...see how fast your needle will hit H.
Old 10-22-05, 11:33 AM
  #3  
Rockn' The Galant

 
Tech_Greek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Read his signature, at least he's trying to learn I suppose.

You're up north, so you're going to be getting into COLD tempatures...I use 50/50 mix always, I've never had any problems with heat or freezing.

Antifreeze also lubricates the waterpump so you can't go 100% water either...
Old 10-22-05, 11:45 AM
  #4  
Super Raterhater

iTrader: (6)
 
SonicRaT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Posts: 10,624
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I'd run with a 70/30 mix at least up there.
Old 10-22-05, 12:16 PM
  #5  
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
 
Icemark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Rohnert Park CA
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 19 Posts
Originally Posted by CyborgRyu
or 75/25, depends how cold it gets.
I hope you mean 25 percent water, 75 % coolant.

Because 75/25 (75%water/25% anti-freeze) is insufficient to prevent corrosion.

At very least you need 70/30, and I recommend 50/50 in all but the most extreme cases or the artic circle (or Canada and Wisconsin) where you might drop as low as 30/70 (water/coolant) so that the freeze point drops to around -85F.

See anti-freeze serves multiple purposes.

It lowers the freeze point of the coolant (typically most coolants at a 50/50 mix will lower the freeze point to around-32/-35F degrees)

It raises the boiling point (typically around 265F at 15 psi again with a 50/50 mix).

And it prevents corrosion and lowers electrolytic galvanic action. This means the alumn against steel corrosion is reduced.

And finally it serves as a lubricant for the water pump (and in our engines the coolant seals).

So let’s look at water. One of the most corrosive fluids out there. (Any doubters on that statement can go look at the Grand Canyon or any river bed).

Running a high amount of water through the motor (anything more extreme than 70/30 (water/coolant) and there will be major corrosion of the water jackets and passages.

On a street driven vehicle (even one that is raced on weekends) with a properly functioning cooling system, you should be running 50/50 or at very worst 60/40 (again water/coolant) for most parts of the country. If indeed your temps do drop under -30F then I might look at using a greater mix off coolant with a lower amount of water.

But 75% water and only 25% coolant will result in your motors life cut considerably shorter.
Old 10-22-05, 12:20 PM
  #6  
Super Raterhater

iTrader: (6)
 
SonicRaT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Posts: 10,624
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Yeah, every once in a while depending on location in mass they hit those -40 to -50 stints, which is why I suggest the 70/30 (coolant/water) mix, but then again I'm also from Michigan (we get it worse than Wisconsin, lol), and spent a lot less time in Mass, so maybe I'm just used to over doing it.
Old 10-22-05, 03:32 PM
  #7  
Full Member

 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Kzoo, MI
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ted, thanks for the insight in the rad coolant. it scary how we have misconceptions about rad fluids and water, I flushed my daily driver myself last MAY and i used distilled water but I remember many years back a buddy of mine did the drain and change for me used tap water and when I mentioned distilled water, he could not stop laughing...
Old 10-22-05, 04:50 PM
  #8  
Rockn' The Galant

 
Tech_Greek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by stockrex
Ted, thanks for the insight in the rad coolant. it scary how we have misconceptions about rad fluids and water, I flushed my daily driver myself last MAY and i used distilled water but I remember many years back a buddy of mine did the drain and change for me used tap water and when I mentioned distilled water, he could not stop laughing...
Here's what you do in that situation, bet him $500 that in Five Years his Radiator will be clogged up and corroded...and get it all on camera and laugh at him in the process....
Old 10-22-05, 05:05 PM
  #9  
Super Raterhater

iTrader: (6)
 
SonicRaT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: NY, MA, MI, OR, TX, and now LA or AZ!
Posts: 10,624
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by stockrex
Ted, thanks for the insight in the rad coolant. it scary how we have misconceptions about rad fluids and water, I flushed my daily driver myself last MAY and i used distilled water but I remember many years back a buddy of mine did the drain and change for me used tap water and when I mentioned distilled water, he could not stop laughing...

LOL, That's Mark, not Ted!
Old 10-22-05, 10:22 PM
  #10  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
jn2k108's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow thanks guys, i really learned a lot.
Old 10-23-05, 05:27 AM
  #11  
Full Member

 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Kzoo, MI
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
yikes,
my apologies Mark,
Old 10-23-05, 05:37 AM
  #12  
Throbbing Member

 
scheistermeister's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Icemark
I hope you mean 25 percent water, 75 % coolant.

Because 75/25 (75%water/25% anti-freeze) is insufficient to prevent corrosion.

At very least you need 70/30, and I recommend 50/50 in all but the most extreme cases or the artic circle (or Canada and Wisconsin) where you might drop as low as 30/70 (water/coolant) so that the freeze point drops to around -85F.

See anti-freeze serves multiple purposes.

It lowers the freeze point of the coolant (typically most coolants at a 50/50 mix will lower the freeze point to around-32/-35F degrees)

It raises the boiling point (typically around 265F at 15 psi again with a 50/50 mix).

And it prevents corrosion and lowers electrolytic galvanic action. This means the alumn against steel corrosion is reduced.

And finally it serves as a lubricant for the water pump (and in our engines the coolant seals).

So let’s look at water. One of the most corrosive fluids out there. (Any doubters on that statement can go look at the Grand Canyon or any river bed).

Running a high amount of water through the motor (anything more extreme than 70/30 (water/coolant) and there will be major corrosion of the water jackets and passages.

On a street driven vehicle (even one that is raced on weekends) with a properly functioning cooling system, you should be running 50/50 or at very worst 60/40 (again water/coolant) for most parts of the country. If indeed your temps do drop under -30F then I might look at using a greater mix off coolant with a lower amount of water.

But 75% water and only 25% coolant will result in your motors life cut considerably shorter.

if you are in warmer weather areas such as FL you CAN run water with no coolant and NOT have corrosion... BUT you have to add a corrosion inhibitor ( and yes i know my spelling may suck). a lot of hotrodders run just water because 100% watter cools better than a water coolant mix.
Old 10-23-05, 11:08 AM
  #13  
Rockn' The Galant

 
Tech_Greek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by scheistermeister
if you are in warmer weather areas such as FL you CAN run water with no coolant and NOT have corrosion... BUT you have to add a corrosion inhibitor ( and yes i know my spelling may suck). a lot of hotrodders run just water because 100% watter cools better than a water coolant mix.
Old 10-23-05, 11:41 AM
  #14  
Rotary engine victory

iTrader: (2)
 
KingCobraV9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Newburgh, IN
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
or you can just run evans and forget water all together in your engine.
Old 10-23-05, 11:55 AM
  #15  
Shaolin7

iTrader: (4)
 
88durel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Lloydminster, Alberta Canada
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Im from Canada, and Never mixed anything sept 50/50 year round... works fine.. and we get about -67 Degrees Ferienheit
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
He's On Toroids
NE RX-7 Forum
48
10-19-15 08:58 PM



Quick Reply: Winter maintennance.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:31 AM.