Engine Coolant
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
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From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
Why ?
coolant keeps the boiling point well above the 220 level and the freezing point well below 32 deg of just plain water. It also keeps your cooling system from rusting out. The only time I would tell you to run just water in any system is when your just starting a new moter for break in. and when your on a race track.
coolant keeps the boiling point well above the 220 level and the freezing point well below 32 deg of just plain water. It also keeps your cooling system from rusting out. The only time I would tell you to run just water in any system is when your just starting a new moter for break in. and when your on a race track.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Walton KY
Originally Posted by swoosh
I need to change the coolant, but i wanted to flush out the old stuff, I thought i could run water for a day. I know when you race on the track they want you to run water.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,178
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
No, it wont hurt it in the hottest summer months, but if you dont switch back in winter you'll likely end up with a cracked block.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,251
Likes: 2
From: Thomson Georgia
My understanding is anti-freeze also acts as a lubricant for the seals of the water pump. I know if you run straight water it will cool better, but after a while the pump makes a rubber rubbing metal sound. found that out after breaking a belt and turning the pump pulley by hand.
They make an additive you can put in the water to lubricate the pump, don't remember the name of it, but it works. Not real expensive either.
Seems like for every pound above atmospheric you raise the cooling system pressure, it raises the boiling point about 3 degrees, so 15 psi cap should raise the boiling point 45 degrees.
At atmospheric, anti-freeze the boiling point by the % of anti-freeze mix.
They make an additive you can put in the water to lubricate the pump, don't remember the name of it, but it works. Not real expensive either.
Seems like for every pound above atmospheric you raise the cooling system pressure, it raises the boiling point about 3 degrees, so 15 psi cap should raise the boiling point 45 degrees.
At atmospheric, anti-freeze the boiling point by the % of anti-freeze mix.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Walton KY
Originally Posted by dchildress
I take my CBR929 to racetrack pretty often....I use a product called Purple Ice in place of water and coolant. Most of the sanctioning bodies will allow you to get away with it. Stuff works too. I know the bike has a 180dg thermostat because the temp gauage is always sitting between 178 and 182 when I am rolling and rarely gets up to fan on temp which is 218. Pricey though so get ready.
I made a mistake...it is called Engine Ice. http://www.engineice.cc/ I buy it at my local Honda motorcycle shop. It is good to 256 degree boil over and -26 freeze point. This stuff works great but is kinda pricey. I am planning on switching over after the Opit/waterpump thing is done.
Last edited by dchildress; Aug 9, 2005 at 05:10 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
The mix of water & gycol forms a eutectic mix with a higher boiling point than pain water. Also there are indeed lubricants and corrosion inhibitors in the antifreeze.
I would not run it for a day with only water. If you want a water flush, just bring it up to temp with the radiator cap off, shut down, empty and refill.
Since you likely won't get out all the water you should begin the refill with a little stronger mix. Measure the amount of coolant that comes out, compare it with capacity and do the math.
I would not run it for a day with only water. If you want a water flush, just bring it up to temp with the radiator cap off, shut down, empty and refill.
Since you likely won't get out all the water you should begin the refill with a little stronger mix. Measure the amount of coolant that comes out, compare it with capacity and do the math.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
"They make an additive you can put in the water to lubricate the pump, don't remember the name of it, but it works. Not real expensive either." johnnyevans
The generic name used to be called, "water soluble oil". Don't know what it is now though.
The generic name used to be called, "water soluble oil". Don't know what it is now though.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by swoosh
Is it safe to run plain water in the engine instead of coolant during the hot summer months? Would the engine rust on the inside?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...post1551652978
