Evans Waterless Coolant
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,448
Likes: 793
From: Redondo Beach, California
It's polypropylene glycol. It's expensive. You can use ethylene glycol instead. It's less expensive and functionally just as acceptable as a 100% coolant. All of the liquid cooled WWII aircraft used 100% ethylene glycol as a coolant. Why use polypropylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol? Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste (yummy) but it's very poisonous. Polypropylene on the other hand is not poisonous.....in fact it's commonly used in food products!
The reason for using 100% ethylene, or poly, in a street car is two fold: (1) it ends radiator corrosion and engine rust issues. Particularly important for aluminum radiators, and (2) it's high boiling point means that your cooling system will not become pressurized. A small leak will just cause a small drip at the most, not a spray of coolant. Also, you can open the radiator cap with a hot engine.
My 68 has used 100% ethylene glycol since 1974. My current 97 Tbird DD has used 100% since 1997. Interesting factoid: The antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning is ethyl alcohol....ethanol as in vodka! In an ER/hospital they'll use an ethanol IV drip.
The reason for using 100% ethylene, or poly, in a street car is two fold: (1) it ends radiator corrosion and engine rust issues. Particularly important for aluminum radiators, and (2) it's high boiling point means that your cooling system will not become pressurized. A small leak will just cause a small drip at the most, not a spray of coolant. Also, you can open the radiator cap with a hot engine.
My 68 has used 100% ethylene glycol since 1974. My current 97 Tbird DD has used 100% since 1997. Interesting factoid: The antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning is ethyl alcohol....ethanol as in vodka! In an ER/hospital they'll use an ethanol IV drip.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; May 23, 2021 at 07:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 939
From: Georgetown, Tx
I’ve used heat transfer fluid in machines I’ve operated and cared for in my profession. The stuff I used was really good. And I’m sure the thermal properties of Evanscoolant and its purpose for use is much the same as the stuff I used.
But I don’t see a practical application for this fluid in my vehicles. We all agree the first order of business is to have a great working cooling system. If this is true then we must have a sufficiently sized radiator to manage the heat load the engine, the transmission and the air-conditioning produce. Then the cooling system must be able to exchange that heat load against the ambient air temperature, during forced exchange while driving, and dynamic exchange while sitting in traffic. Your cooling system must reach a form of thermal equilibrium during these times. Otherwise you’re walking..
For the benefit you receive from this expensive fluid which would be marginal at best, your money could go further on a higher capacity radiator, or whatever deficiency you have in your cooling system.
I put heat transfer fluid in the category with pure nitrogen for tires. Not Necessary. Spend the money elsewhere.
But I don’t see a practical application for this fluid in my vehicles. We all agree the first order of business is to have a great working cooling system. If this is true then we must have a sufficiently sized radiator to manage the heat load the engine, the transmission and the air-conditioning produce. Then the cooling system must be able to exchange that heat load against the ambient air temperature, during forced exchange while driving, and dynamic exchange while sitting in traffic. Your cooling system must reach a form of thermal equilibrium during these times. Otherwise you’re walking..
For the benefit you receive from this expensive fluid which would be marginal at best, your money could go further on a higher capacity radiator, or whatever deficiency you have in your cooling system.
I put heat transfer fluid in the category with pure nitrogen for tires. Not Necessary. Spend the money elsewhere.
Last edited by 76-Vetteman; May 24, 2021 at 01:05 AM. Reason: typo
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,979
Likes: 4,529
From: Virginia
This is an interesting read. NASCAR uses straight deionized water (DI). They run their engines at 290 degrees F, and use a 100 psi pressurized system release to keep the boiling point at 335 degrees F. No thermostat, of course. There is a delicate balance of cooling and aero, and is adjusted at different tracks, and even during the race.
https://jalopnik.com/the-fascinating...hot-1835071544
I'm sure if Evans coolant did a better job than straight water, they'd use that instead. I'll stick to a DI/Ethylene Glycol mix, since I do see freezing temperatures in Virginia, just not the deep freeze that a B-17 might have seen high over Germany.
Perhaps, like DOT-5 brake fluid, the Evans coolant has a use in cars that sit a long time. But their press release reads like a solution in search of a problem, or a market.
https://jalopnik.com/the-fascinating...hot-1835071544
I'm sure if Evans coolant did a better job than straight water, they'd use that instead. I'll stick to a DI/Ethylene Glycol mix, since I do see freezing temperatures in Virginia, just not the deep freeze that a B-17 might have seen high over Germany.
Perhaps, like DOT-5 brake fluid, the Evans coolant has a use in cars that sit a long time. But their press release reads like a solution in search of a problem, or a market.
Last edited by Bikespace; May 24, 2021 at 08:11 AM.
