Water Coolant Ratio [Archive]

beeza

30-01-2007, 05:44 PM

I want to keep the engine as cool as possible without going to far.I was running 60:40 now 65:35.Can sqeeze a little more water in there or is that not a good idea?

Rice_4_life

30-01-2007, 06:16 PM

50:50 is good, honda coolant is recommended and already pre-mixed

aaronng

30-01-2007, 06:20 PM

If you are using Honda coolant, don't add water.

Rice_4_life

30-01-2007, 06:22 PM

unless your tracking your car i wouldnt even bother with aftermarket coolant.

beeza

30-01-2007, 06:43 PM

Ok cool,thanks.I'm using aftermarket coolant at the moment but looks like switching to Honda coolant is the way to go.I tell ya OEM parts is definately the way to go and much easier too!
For what I'm doin' -a daily driver- I think this is suffice.
For more cooling-water wetter then a bigger radiator right?

aaronng

30-01-2007, 06:58 PM

If for street, Honda OEM coolant is fine. Don't bother adding water wetter.

beeza

30-01-2007, 07:45 PM

Thanks a lot Aaronng.Great help.

e240

31-01-2007, 12:07 AM

I don't even bother running a coolant. Just water wetter and distilled water.
its doesn't freeze in these region.

aaronng

31-01-2007, 02:27 AM

I don't even bother running a coolant. Just water wetter and distilled water.
its doesn't freeze in these region.

Have your checked for corrosion in your water pump lately? :p

e240

31-01-2007, 10:34 AM

Have your checked for corrosion in your water pump lately? :p

Took it out a couple of times, no issue.
The thing is, you have to mix the water wetter in the correct proportion.

Mind you, I've also used water wetter in Magnesium casings with no issue.

aaronng

31-01-2007, 11:47 AM

Water wetter is supposed to be just a surfactant... I do hope it contains corrosion inhibitors as well.

e240

31-01-2007, 12:49 PM

Water wetter is supposed to be just a surfactant... I do hope it contains corrosion inhibitors as well.

It does...
Its also a fairly strong alkali, so its a good corrosion inhibitor and lubricator.

aaronng

31-01-2007, 01:20 PM

It does...
Its also a fairly strong alkali, so its a good corrosion inhibitor and lubricator.

Being alkaline doesn't make it a good corrosion inhibitor nor lubricant. This is especially the case in a metal that relies on its oxide to provide corrosion resistance. Also, alkalis are not slippery on its own. It's only slippery because it is saponificating the fat and oil in your skin into soap.

Rice_4_life

31-01-2007, 01:22 PM

which is cheapest? a 5 litre bottle of Honda recommended pre-mixed coolant? or that other thing??
im guessing the honda coolant but i may get a surprise :P

aaronng

31-01-2007, 01:27 PM

which is cheapest? a 5 litre bottle of Honda recommended pre-mixed coolant? or that other thing??
im guessing the honda coolant but i may get a surprise :P

Can't go wrong with Honda coolant. Even if it is more expensive, you get the assurance that it won't corrode the water pump.

e240

31-01-2007, 02:05 PM

Being alkaline doesn't make it a good corrosion inhibitor nor lubricant. This is especially the case in a metal that relies on its oxide to provide corrosion resistance. Also, alkalis are not slippery on its own. It's only slippery because it is saponificating the fat and oil in your skin into soap.

Whatever....I've used it with much success and haven't had an issue.

tinkerbell

01-02-2007, 06:03 PM

I don't even bother running a coolant. Just water wetter and distilled water.
its doesn't freeze in these region.

same here...

i hope my PWR radiator doesnt corrode :eek:

tinkerbell

01-02-2007, 06:13 PM

oh, and the reason i use it is that i was advised that water cools better than "anti-freeze"

Rice_4_life

01-02-2007, 06:21 PM

oh, and the reason i use it is that i was advised that water cools better than "anti-freeze"

i am going to test this out next week. I'll bring two pans (one with coolant and one with water) to the boil and measure the temperature at regualr intervals. anyone wanna place bets now? :wave:

tinkerbell

01-02-2007, 08:35 PM

i am going to test this out next week. I'll bring two pans (one with coolant and one with water) to the boil and measure the temperature at regualr intervals. anyone wanna place bets now? :wave:

how you gunna pressurise it?

Rice_4_life

01-02-2007, 08:37 PM

who cares i just want to find out which one heats up faster.

tinkerbell

01-02-2007, 08:39 PM

BTW - i'll save you the time:

http://www.valvoline.com/carcare/articleviewer.asp?pg=dsm20041101ic&cccid=3&scccid=4

Interestingly, pure water actually transfers heat better than coolant (that's why you see straight water used in the radiators of some types of racecars). However, coolant/antifreeze includes additional additives that prevent rust and corrosion in the radiator, engine and the vehicle's heater.

i am waiting to hear back from PWR regarding corrosion issues in all alloy cooling systems.

i'll post up the response tomorrow hopefully...

Rice_4_life

01-02-2007, 08:42 PM

chill man sorry ok? dude i was just havin a bit of fun. never said you were wrong or anything.

tinkerbell

02-02-2007, 03:27 PM

i am waiting to hear back from PWR regarding corrosion issues in all alloy cooling systems.

i *thought* i could not have been that stupid, :o

Red Line WaterWetter IS a corrosion inhibitor as well:

http://www.redlineoil.com/whitePaper/17.pdf

aaronng

02-02-2007, 04:05 PM

The one that heats up faster is a poorer coolant.

But yeah, water is a better coolant than Honda coolant.

e240

03-02-2007, 12:44 AM

The one that heats up faster is a poorer coolant.

But yeah, water is a better coolant than Honda coolant.

Won't the one that heats up faster be the better coolant because it draws heat away faster?

Being a surfactant, it encourages better contact with the cylinder walls allowing it to absorb heat more efficiently, drawing heat away from the cylinder walls. Hence, it gets hotter. But because it absorbs heat quicker, it also loses heat quicker too through the radiator. Thats why we see a drop in overall water temps.

aaronng

03-02-2007, 01:25 AM

Won't the one that heats up faster be the better coolant because it draws heat away faster?

Being a surfactant, it encourages better contact with the cylinder walls allowing it to absorb heat more efficiently, drawing heat away from the cylinder walls. Hence, it gets hotter. But because it absorbs heat quicker, it also loses heat quicker too through the radiator. Thats why we see a drop in overall water temps.

Heat =/ Temperature

Water temperature rises slower than coolant because its heat capacity is higher. It can take in more heat energy per degree increase in temperature. Also, when the delta temperature is too small because the coolant is hot, the rate of heat flow is smaller.

hondabunny

04-02-2007, 09:26 AM

aaronng

04-02-2007, 11:10 AM

problem with just water, is that the water will hold the heat longer than coolant/water wetter/whatever because the water expands when it is heated up, and with no where to release its energy (steam) your basically just pushing hot water around you engine and radiator...

The heat is released equally well when it goes through the radiator, even for water. But the problem with water is that once it boils and turns into steam, the heat can't be removed as quickly. But, the radiator is pressurised to increase the boiling point of the liquid used in the cooling system (and hopefully prevent boiling).

tinkerbell

04-02-2007, 11:25 AM

water boils at around 118'C when under typical radiator cap pressure, ie 14psi or 0.8bar

under greater pressure as provided by the 1.3bar (20psi)caps water boils at 125'C...

problem with just water, is that the water will hold the heat longer than coolant/water wetter/whatever because the water expands when it is heated up, and with no where to release its energy (steam) your basically just pushing hot water around you engine and radiator...

this makes no sense at all :confused:

the energy is relsead through the radiator, that is ITS JOB...