Coolant percentage for motor engines

<Hrrrrph.> We talking cars? Lived in one once.

It'll work - until it freezes. <Belch> <Cough.>

Hey Stinky, how do you have a computer set-up in your cardboard box?- or do you use one of your neighbours set-ups?. Get real- you don,t need computers- just the nectar of alcohol- plus a small amount of food- who cares about the stupid mongrels who don,t even use inhibitor of any sort- just tap water- & even less about the stupid car owners who don,t know that diethylene glycol reverts to ammonia unless changed annually-(corroding alloy).

<Splutter>

Wot? So where's the nitrogen come from to make ammonia from ethylene glycol <wheeze>? Good game, good game! <Burp>.

You try getting a WiFi spot in Snailsburys without getting thrown out the door <Belch>! Pirate someone else's and let them pay the bill <chuckle, cough>.

Hey Stinky, the nitrogen comes from the air(78%) when conscientous owners check coolant level before embarking on their quest to find more nectar( they release the radiator cap, which allows nit to enter)- the REAL problem here my friend is how to save you- I think that we may be able to geta local do-gooders group to look after you- but you will have to stop your heinous intake of nectar, & even sing hymns, & do good deeds- but, don,t worry, I will drink more just to make up for your voluntary abstinence!.

N2 reacting with ethylene glycol to form ammonia? Where did you come up with that? I can't conceive how that reaction would take place.

Tad

This is why my 25 YO daughter never checks fluid levels in her car. That N2 stuff is everywhere ! It got in her brake fluid reservoir, her coolant overflow reservoir, her crankcase, the transmission . . . . . and . . . . the only place she allows it in is the fuel tank as I notice that cap seems to be off 2-3 times a week! I've noticed N2 and petrol mix causing numbers in her bank account to become lower. Strange stuff.

It all depends on the lowest temperature where you live or drive.

The balance of glycol and water will affect the temperature where the mixture freezes. A 50/50 mixture will give a freezing point of about -34 deg F

More glycol = lower freezing temperature as low as -84Deg F

More water = higher freezing temperature.

To Test use a simple and inexpensive device called a coolant hydrometer.

How can I be sure that new mix will work?

How can we be sure of anything?

Sorry I was sure this was the philosophy section!

Hi Del, The only thing that I am sure of is that one should never mix anti-freeze with water! It should be used neat, not only does it stop your motor freezing up but it stops corrosion! Spencer.

Ethylene glycol will freeze at a higher temperature than a 50:50 mix. This is the ideal ratio if you want the most freeze protection.

Tad

Anti Freeze! Great! a Giant hobby horse of mine!

Never mind the frost, the stuff is there to protect the engine from corrosion! Well, for about 48 weeks of the year in the UK.

The thing is, in the manner of a sacrificial anode, in so doing it is used up. After 3-5 years you can say goodbye to this ESSENTIAL function and need to change it. Trouble is, no one knows, or can be bothered. It's not at all interesting untill you've boiled it on the hard shoulder if you're lucky enough to have one handy.

If it sounds like a rant, it's more of a crusade! To get back to the point... IF you reduce the concentration, which you might be able to on account of frost, be aware that you've also reduced it's active life as a corrosion inhibitor.

Any chemists disagree (I aren't one)??

Yeh, and we're all s'pose to change the brake fluid too... but never do! (And our underwear )

I even change the air in my tires (sorry . . . tyres). And I put on 7 pair of underwear each Sunday and take one off each day. And since Sunday AM is 'bath' day, this notches in nicely as I normally need to soak off pair number 7 before reloading. Pun?

<Cough> Agree entirely about corrosion protection. Anyone got any meths handy? I'm out of cans <belch>.

How can I be sure that new mix will work?

What about reading the label at the back of the bottle?

High dillutions are suitable ONLY for corrosion inhibition (during summer)... low dillutions will provide the latter plus protecting engine from frost.

No guessing neccesary: just read the label!

What about reading the label at the back of the bottle?

What manner of heresy is this?

Methinks this be the work of some mischievous wizardry..... sorry, been reading Harry Potter (I didn't buy it ..honest..it was Mrs Cat)

Bark, Bark (sorry, that was Max, my Schnauzer..!)

What about conducting a "double blind" test?: pour the coolant into an unlabeled bottle. Get more unlabeled bottles (accuracy of the test depends on how many bottles you've got) and fill them with an oily fluid that has the same fluorescent color.

Prepare the content of any of the bottles, fill the cooling system and wait until the next winter.... (*)

(*) to be sure this test really works, car must be left outside the garage for -at least 3 cold nights! If you don't use it in the meantime: BETTER!

Dilution ratios and their associated freeze points are usually available on the container label or on a small leaflet available either from the retailer or from the manufacturer. Why would you not want to use a 50/50 mix anyway? To save a nickel or two?

Why bother? Is anti-freeze that expensive where you are?

Also, you might try reading the chart on the back of every gallon container of anti-freeze.

<burp> Holding back on the antifreeze is false economy <splutter>. Brass monkey weather can freeze-up the engine block and split it - provided it doesn't find a route past the head gasket first, that is. I must try antifreeze. That old blanket won't cover my feet any more <belch>.

We made anti freeze when we were kids. We hid her pajamas on cold nights! OK . . . sorry.

******

Some antifreezes are very poor coolants, so it is common NOT to run heavy mixtures in some climates. However, e-glycol also raises the boiling point. So you can shoot yourself in the foot. If you keep water liquid, it will cool any engine and we like to run engines very very hot these days to keep crankcase water vapor in the form of vapor and get it out of the crankcase. Look at your temp gauge on a modern car. Near 230*F [ that's 110* in communist units ]. Pressure (from the radiator cap) and chemicals (antifreeze) raise the boiling point. I routinely run diesels at 245* F, and I need a good shot of chemicals and pressure to keep the coolant 'liquid'. The best way to protect engines is a touch of e-glycol for corrosion and freeze protection (20*F lower than any expected temp) and to raise the boiling point plus pressure (15 psig or one barg in commie talk), and then add water conditioner such as Nalcool 2000 for cavitation and seal lubrication reasons. In jungles or deserts, the locals use straight water to save money, but, the scale deposits build up inside and insulate the hot surfaces from the water. 1/8 inch of scale insulates like 3 inches of cast iron. So a head with 1/8 inch scale on the fire deck might as well be 3 inches thick. The surface cracks between the valves just like a hot piece of concrete. One trick I use in such countries for a scaled up old engine is to machine expansion slots in the surface of the head. If you clean the scale out with chemicals, you open up pin holes.

The properties of boiling point increasing and freezing point decreasing are related to the glycol/water rate, normally you can observe recommendations about these properties in the tag attached to the coolant container. The performance will depend on the climate conditions of the region where you live. Other important function of tha automotive coolant formulation is the corrosion protection of the system, so, I recommend to follow the recommendations of the supplier.

Sorry, I do change brake fluid. (Oh no, they're gonna guess I sort my sock draw into colours now)

Usually for Silicone if I can affor dit.

I think Anti-freeze IS darn expensive at 5l highstreet prices.

<Burp> Try Tilbury market instead <cough>.

OK Stinky, but tell me what time you're planning to get there cos I dont want to find it's all gone, its miles from here.