Is it safe to drive if there's only water on the radiator and reservoir?

[Drifter995]

Sadly, I've been running water in my car for quite some time now... It still runs, doesn't overheat, but goes a murky brown colour though... proof of corrosion :/ I really need to get coolant myself...

[dougie_504]

Water is actually better for the cooling purposes of the setup when compared to the coolent - however the coolant obviously reduces the risk of freezing/boiling/corrosion.

1/3 coolant and 2/3 water is my preferred mix. Most coolant mixtures are fine. The Tectaloy is really good I've been using that in my CRX for over a year now, however I just went with the Bursons brand concentrate for my Civic.

Fix the issue and add some coolant/flush system as soon as you can get around to it mate.

[SLOBRO]

coolant
water isnt as effective
if you idle for awhile it might overheat again

actually water keeps it cooler most taxies have water only n no coolant

[butterfingers]

actually water keeps it cooler most taxies have water only n no coolant

there u go
learn something new everyday
so coolant is for the anti boil/freeze/corrosive properties right?

[mocchi]

there u go
learn something new everyday
so coolant is for the anti boil/freeze/corrosive properties right?

das rye bread

[EJ1]

there u go
learn something new everyday
so coolant is for the anti boil/freeze/corrosive properties right?

To answer your question yes that's correct, The minerals and elements in water which are found in there as you know will corrode your cooling system very quickly..

[migoreng]

Edit. Read the posts again.

When you bought the overflow tank you didn't buy coolant? :P

[amant02]

Lol, I have ran my eg wit nothing in the radiator lol, It made a few trips to bankstown-ingleburn. I didn't realise till I did my usual inspection when i do my full tanks Wednesday morning. Fked the radiator thou, fins of the radi turned black and a few bent but it still worked. Using water wit coolant is the best way to go. I like it to be 50/50, also carry a premixed 2L bottle(I use a coke bottle, as it seals off) in your boot if your making a long trip. All coolants pretty much the same I think (we did a test in chemistry class)
Australian Conditions water will be sufficient, its a problem when your in a country where temperatures drop below 3, as water starts to chill. Reason why some luxury cars come with a heater that you connect to a power point over night keeps the coolant at a good temp.

[Super-DA9]

All coolants pretty much the same I think (we did a test in chemistry class)

If all coolant is the same then why can't you mix red and green? and why are certain coolants alloy head safe while others are not?

[IVTECI]

If all coolant is the same then why can't you mix red and green? and why are certain coolants alloy head safe while others are not?

Its all business marketing and profitable gains etc.

Thats just how we do!

[dak_air]

Hi Guys,

Just an update...my reservoir and hose exploded again...

**I flush radiator and drained it.
Put coolant (Tectaloy) and got a new reservoir (fill with coolant as well)

Couple of days it went fine as there is no leaking on it..
2 days ago i've noticed that reservoir seem to be going down...
i've noticed temperature gets up to the middle pretty quickly, but it does not go over the middle part...
Went to check it again tonight and found that it exploded again even there's enough coolant on radiator and reservoir?

Can you please help what to do or do I miss anything when I flush the system?

Thanks in advance...

[IVTECI]

Sounds like a BHG.

But where does the water/coolant go? Any leaks?

Get a compression test done.

Do u get smoke out of the muffler even when the engine is warm?

Check your oil cap for a milky looking deposits.

Did u burp the system properlly?

When the system is full of coolant, with the radiator cap off - does it boil/bubble? Or the water in the reservoir boil/bubble?

I dont recommend u drive it bra until u get the above analysed.