Issues running straight water for coolant?
 

I'm thinking of running my FC on plain water plus water wetter to help keep temps down at events over the summer, but I'm worried about accelerated corrosion since it won't have the anti-corrosion additives that antifreeze includes. Is there any danger here or should I not worry about it?

We run straight water because we aren't allowed to run antifreeze/coolant. I don't know about long long term tests the engines get taken apart quite often.

If you don't have to run straight water than you should run about 20% coolant with water wetter. Keeps the corrosion down, the pump lubricated and effects the heat transfer of water a negligible amount.

Competition classes mandate straight water because of the fact that coolant is unsafe if it ends up on the race track, it is very slippery under a race tire, and radiators can very easily be damaged in wheel to wheel racing.

I've always run straight water with a splash of water wetter.

No danger. Use distilled water over tap water and 40 Below is better than Water Wetter, I've used both. Don't leave plain water in their if the car is going to be subject to freezing temps over the winter :)

I ones killed a waterpump whileflushing the system with regular water, and was told it was because of the lack of lubrication, and it was already at the end of it's life. Wouldn't they last very short, even new, without lube?

Riz.

Mine was installed new in 2000, only run distilled water with water wetter, no problems after 5 years of road racing and occasional track days. Granted, it's not a street car, and it doesn't see a whole lot of miles, but what miles it does see are really hard miles.

Is water a good idea on a pure street car? I don't know, but in a race car I wouldn't expect any problems.

And frankly, how hard is it to change a water pump on a 13B anyway?

Prestone and others sell a product called corrosion inhibiter and water pump lubricant. It comes in a small bottle, about 1 quart size, costs about $3 or so. Without the lubricating properties of the additive , sometimes straight water can cause water pump seal failure. I have been using the additive for the last 14 years of road racing, and have never had a water pump failure. I believe that Water Wetter will help lubricate your pump too, but Water Wetter costs more.

I run the car every summer with straight water and water wetter, no problems so far.

I already have some water wetter to use, so the cost is moot :p From redline's site, looks like water wetter does provide some corrosion protection:

· Doubles the wetting ability of water
· Improves heat transfer
· Reduces cylinder head temperatures
· May allow more spark advance for increased torque
· Reduces rust, corrosion and electrolysis of all metals
· Provides long term corrosion protection
· Cleans and lubricates water pump seals
· Prevents foaming
· Reduces cavitation corrosion
· Complexes with hard water to reduce scale

Looks like I'm good to go.