Water Coolant? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

megamac83 · 06-05-2006, 07:53 AM

Hey guys quick question, now that we are in the days of summer, I just wanted to know what people thought of running a 80 % water and 20 % antifreeze mix? or even greater percentage of water? has anybody done it what were the gains with better cooling? what are the down sides?

Grayguy · 06-05-2006, 08:09 AM

I used to run 100% water in my truck during the summer, but that's only because it had a tendency to over heat and piss antifreeze everywhere and I got sick of paying for it. It did stop overheating while running the water, but I can't say that that's better, because at the same time I got a new fan shroud.

I'm not sure why more water would make is cool better. What's your theory there? Also, no matter what you do, switch it back to "normal" before it even gets close to freezing temperatures out. Unless of course you enjoy cracked blocks.

Dave's · 06-05-2006, 08:37 AM

Have things changed? This old guy was always taught that the best mix was 60/40 AF/water. (actually more like 55/45 but 60/40 is easier and close enough.) 100% antifreeze will freeze more quickly than a mix. It also doesn't cool as well I think. So unless things have changed, go with 60/40.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 06-05-2006, 09:06 AM

if it's warm, there's no reason you can't run mostly water instead of the usual recommended 50/50 mix. But by the same token, unless your car is overheating, there won't really be a great benefit for doing so either though

antifreeze does as it's name implies by preventing your coolant mixture from freezing, but it also inhibits rust and other damaging contaminents in water to your cooling system, so running pure water isn't a really good idea either

but in terms of cooling, water can absorb the most heat

atobe · 06-05-2006, 11:41 AM

i run waterwetter and 75/25 water/coolant my car stays cool... the down side is @ night when it's cool takes a long time to warm up and if i drive on the freeway my temp guage goes down below the middle mark

***ASG14*** · 06-05-2006, 11:54 AM

I'm running 100% water right now (Distilled water, not tap). I tried it after my friend told me he always does it in the summer. I've nituced the fans go on a lot less.

Water cools better then Antifreeze (but also has a lower boiling point).

PhantomZX · 06-05-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave's

100% antifreeze will freeze more quickly than a mix.

I stand corrected...this statement is correct...

The main purpose of antifreeze is to prevent the water from turning to ice in cold temperatures (duh). Another important role it has is to lubricate the cooling system.

But, you were correct in saying that it doesn't cool as well as water, that's why it gets mixed rather than run at 100% concentration.

I've seen 80% water, 20% antifreeze used in cars during summer, and that won't be a problem if you change the coolant more frequently than you would with 50/50 mix.

marc780 · 06-05-2006, 04:52 PM

I'd say that to me,

for my cars maybe it is best to use what toyota says and i dont wanna get creative

Mike Gerber · 06-05-2006, 10:53 PM

"Another important role it has is to lubricate the cooling system."

Absolutely correct. Antifreeze has lubricants that help lubricate the water pump.

"I'd say that to me, for my cars maybe it is best to use what toyota says and i dont wanna get creative."

I agree totally with Marc's statement. Why would you want to run mostly water? A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water has worked for a long time. If you are having problems with your cooling system look for the cause and correct it; don't try to reinvent the wheel.

Mike

Dave's · 06-06-2006, 01:47 AM

What I found shows 100% ethylene glycol freezes at 10 degrees F while mixed 60/40 the freeze point becomes -55 degrees F. So it's possible to have the system freeze with 100% EG here in OK and most parts north. But it showed 70/30 as the best mix at <-60 degrees and a slightly higher boiling point as well. So maybe we both need to check our statements better in the future. And yes, here are lubricants added plus anti-rust additives. So, I would say stick with a mix. EDITED

Rdizzle · 06-06-2006, 01:52 AM

I agree with Atobe. I run water wetter in the summer and no matter how hot it is my temp stays down. Plus it has all the benifits of anti-freeze like rust inhibitors. Just be sure to change back in cold weather.

***Your Uncle Moe*** · 06-06-2006, 01:54 AM

Leave the mixture the same and just add Waterwater. Its amazing. Plus Cams dont really have an overheating problem.

marc780 · 06-06-2006, 03:05 AM

i dont know anything about water wetter even though it sounds like a great idea in hot weather. So i did a search and this guy who says he is an expert wrote some things about it if anyone wants to know.

http://e30m3performance.com/myths/mo...ter_wetter.htm

PhantomZX · 06-06-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave's

Absolutely untrue? So I looked it up. What I found shows 100% ethylene glycol freezes at 10 degrees F while mixed 60/40 the freeze point becomes -55 degrees F. So it's possible to have the system freeze with 100% EG here in OK and most parts north. But it showed 70/30 as the best mix at <-60 degrees and a slightly higher boiling point as well. So maybe we both need to check our statements better in the future. And yes, here are lubricants added plus anti-rust additives. So, I would say stick with a mix.

I guess I heard wrong before...I edited my original post

megamac83 · 06-07-2006, 02:31 PM

thanks guys for your thoughts!!!