Trust me, I've read all the coolant related threads but need some informed advice on a proper coolant mixture for AZ. summers.

My car runs very well and the cooling system operates normally. I've had the PCM retuned (lowered fan on temps included - which, of course, is irrelevant w/ the a/c on)). The radiator area is debris free and the coolant is relatively new. Replaced it when I had the Hotcam put in but did not do a flush.

Normally (in summer) my car never goes above 220*, even in stop n' go traffic but I saw an all time high of 239* (digital gauge) the other day (in stop n' go) when it was 118* here in Phx. Ok, that's about as bad as it gets and the car did not overheat (ran fine) but got me to thinking about a better coolant mix for these extreme temps. Will also do a flush when I put in new mix.

I've heard/read that you can run an 80/20 water & coolant mix and that will lower your temps. Any truth to this? My car never sees outside temps below 40* (if that!) so I'm not concerned about the antifreeze benefits, I just want the best coolant mixture for my climate - especially since right now we are averaging triple digit temps.

In addition, I am aware of Water Wetter and would like to add a couple of bottles to the new mix . I just need some opinions on what is the best mix for my area and these extreme temps. Even if I can drop the temps 10* under these circumstances because of a better mix, 229* is better than 239*.

Thx in advance,
Jeff

 

Read the thread "Hydro-Lube vs Redline Water Wetter" in C4Tech/Performance for more discussions on this matter.
Aaron

 

Ive had grewat results with approx. 70/30 or 80/20 water to coolant, 50/50 seems to heat too much.

 

I did, it does not touch on water to coolant ratios...

 

Hey Jeff, lovin this weather? Mine got up to 220* the other day when it was 118* out. I run about 70/30 with a bottle of water wetter. But I also have a Ron Davis radiator which lowers it by a good 20*. With my original radiator, I never drove it when it was over 107* outside, because it would run 240+*.

 

Hey Marcus...

Yeah outside temps are brutal! Ist time I've seen any high 230's on my car though.

Just spoke w/ Bill B (aka ZFDoc), we're going to do a flush & refill. He says we can go w/ almost entirely distilled water + 2 bottles Water Wetter. Should see some lower temps...

I'll post the results.

 

Your cooling system is not operating correctly. Fix the problem before upgrading.

I used to drive my car hard in the CA desert at >120* ambient and I never saw over 230. It would still be 200-205* at speed in those temps.

This with stock cooling system, normal 50-50 mixture and reprogrammed fans.

 

But, were you in stop n' go traffic for extended periods of time? Once I was rolling my temps immediately dropped. I only saw a high of 239* after being in bumper to bumper for quite a while. With that taken into consideration, I'd have to question my "cooling system not operating properly".

 

Wow - my cooling system must be working like a champ. I have a DeWitts radiator, and Meziere HD electric water pump...and even in this 100+ degree weather we're having out here, my coolant temps stay in the 195-205 range in moderate traffic. As soon as I start moving, they drop to the 185-190 range.

I also have my fans programmed to turn on at 195 degrees

 

So how hot is too hot for an LT1/4? I'm also in Phoenix, and yesterday in stop-and-go traffic I saw a high of 230. It was cooler on the freeway. Outside temp indicator read 115-119. I have reprogrammed fans and 50/50 mixture.

Considering that the stock settings don't even turn the fans on until 228, I don't think 230's are anything to worry about. I once hit mid 240's in traffic when a fan motor went out and everything is fine.

 

very good advice

it was about 100* one day last week in my area, but i max out at about 200* in sitting traffic.......but i also have my dual fans reprogrammed at 185/195*. these are temps i like to operate in. i care not what the GM engineers designed for emissions.....its overkill.

 

Try driving 130 mph for 10 min then coming down to 30 mph behind traffic, or coming to a complete stop in a town. That's a lot harder test of the cooling system than sitting in traffic.

I don't think I've ever been in stop and go at 118*, but I have been in stop and go at 110* for hours between LA and Vegas and my car will be around 215* in those circumstances.

Based on my experience I'd say that with reprogrammed fans 239* will never occur with a correctly-functioning stock cooling system.

I don't think I ever saw 239* even with stock fan settings. I don't know what the hottest temp I drove in with stock settings was though.

 

Over the weekend in very humid (I think 94% or so), and 95-101F weather with the A/C on, my car got up to about 224F in slow traffic/city driving.

On the highway It stays about 216.

I have the fans reprogrammed to come on at 209F.

I do however know that my water/coolant mix is VERY off. When I changed the thermostat (stock temp 185F) few months ago I added strict coolant and no water, so my mix is probably 60/40 coolant/water if not worse.

 

For some reason, at least w/ my car, there's a big difference between 110* & 118*. 110* is avg. for Phx and I really never see over 215* (220* tops) but, when we had that 118* day that's when I hit a high of 239* in stop n' go.

Ya know, people keep talking about the reprogrammed fan settings (which I have) helping to keep their car cooler but isn't that irrelevant w/ the a/c on? It's my understanding that w/ the a/c on, both fans are activated so unless you're driving w/o the a/c on, the reprogrammed fan temps don't even come into play...

 

The humidity level in the ambient air has no effect on the cooling of our cars.

RACE ON!!!

 

Hey Jeff! Mine used to get hot like that a lot as well...it actually still does. If you stop by Bills place this week you'll see my car there with the Ron Davis radiator sitting in the back right now (unless Trevor actually installed it...but I don't think hell has yet frozen over). You should think about getting a better radiator.

However, in the meantime, I would go with a minimum of 70% water to 30% coolant mixture for the AZ summer, preferably 80% water 20% coolant, then throw in some water wetter and you should see some temp drops. Just remember to have it flushed again with a 60/40 or 50/50 fill for winter just in case!

 

Someone will have to explain to me exaclty how differing water/coolant ratios affects cooling.

 

H2O accepts heat more quickly, more readily, than ethylene glycol. Pure water is a better coolant than pure antifreeze. The greater the concentration of water the more effective the coolant. My track won't allow me to race with antifreeze in the car, so in the summer, it's H2O and Water Wetter for the extra cooling and the additive package.

RACE ON!!!

 

Anti-freeze is just there for exactly what it's name states so the "water" in the engine does not freeze, expand, and rupture something! Tracks will not allow "coolant" because it's a lot slicker than water and can cause an accident.

 

Antifreeze is more than just freeze protection. It raises the boiling point of the coolant and it has an additive package with water pump lubricant and rust inhibitors. I would never run pure water without some sort of additive package. There are a variety available at most parts stores. I like what Water Wetter does for temps, so I use it.

Besides being "slick" antifreeze is harder to, and takes longer to, clean up, if there is a problem, down track. They don't like synthetic oil for the same reason.

RACE ON!!!