Coolant mix
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Coolant mix
I have a glycol-based coolant on my system. The can of the antifreeze say: Ready to use.
I NEVER seen (here in Italy) some product to mix with water.
All are ready to use. The problem is that I don't know the % of mix in these products.
Is there a way to know the real % ?
When you say you use 50% glycol-based coolant and 50% distilled water, you are also saying that the container say: "to be mixed with water .." or " concentrate for preferred mix" .. ?
-Beppe-
I NEVER seen (here in Italy) some product to mix with water.
All are ready to use. The problem is that I don't know the % of mix in these products.
Is there a way to know the real % ?
When you say you use 50% glycol-based coolant and 50% distilled water, you are also saying that the container say: "to be mixed with water .." or " concentrate for preferred mix" .. ?
-Beppe-
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 504
Likes: 82
From: Melbourne Victoria
You could use a Glycol tester like below although I would expect premixed coolant to have the percentage of glycol somewhere on the label.
http://www.etoolcart.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=2790
http://www.etoolcart.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=2790
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Containers marked "Ready to use" typically implies that the coolant can be installed with no additional water. These mixes are usually a 50% mix of coolant and water. That provides a freezing protection down to -37 degrees F.
Pre-mix containers are easy to us simply because you don't have mix anything. Just pour it in until the cooling system is full. The down side is that they are normally more expensive than the concentrated coolant.
Pre-mix containers are easy to us simply because you don't have mix anything. Just pour it in until the cooling system is full. The down side is that they are normally more expensive than the concentrated coolant.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
Pre mixed antifreeze is just another con job thought up by some moron to part you from your hard earned cash.All you are doing is paying for water.Probably aimed at women and the elderly.If you are incapable of making a 50/50 mix and pouring it in you shouldn't have a license.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
Pre mixed antifreeze is just another con job thought up by some moron to part you from your hard earned cash.All you are doing is paying for water.Probably aimed at women and the elderly.If you are incapable of making a 50/50 mix and pouring it in you shouldn't have a license.
..If only i can find concentrated coolant...
-Beppe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 755
Likes: 32
From: Roswell Georgia
Don't forget the water pump seals!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
You could use just water or the 90-10 mixture for summer driving; however, your boiling point would be lowered accordingly. Just remember that most, if not all, anti-freeze mixtures contain additives for maintaining the water pump seals. I believe that Redline's Water Wetter contains these additives and would add it to your mixture.
Distilled water and a can of water wetter is OK for the summer. I'm doing that now. 50% coolant and 50% distilled water for a cold climate should be fine in the winter.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Not a good idea, why do you think they call it "coolant". It is needed in the summer as well. Just use the premix it is 50/50.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
Most of the resistance to boiling comes from pressure, not the mix. Under pressure, a pure water system will not boil at 212 F/100C. I think that you are good to about 240 under 10 lbs pressure. I'm not sure about this, so please set us straight.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 504
Likes: 82
From: Melbourne Victoria
The coolant also stop's electrolysis is the system which protects the aluminium parts in the cooling system, just water wont offer this protection, not sure what the minimum glycol concentration to maintain this protection is.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Toronto(Don Mills) Ontario
I've been using a mix of 35%coolant-65%water(distilled) for many years, all year round, in a mild(for Canada-Toronto!) climate - in my L86 Z51 Coupe. With a bottle of Redline Watter-Wetter added. No problems - still have my original rad/cooling pieces! One thing I notice - in hot weather in city traffic - coolant temps come down noticeably faster when the main fan comes on. than before with the standard 50/50 coolant mix. Cheers! 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 4
From: Milan
My car never overheats, but it is slow to cool idleing in the traffic with the two fans running. (no problems when in motion over 35-40 mph).
-Beppe-
