Ward

iTrader: (1)

I am curious, because i have 100% antifreeze in my coolant system, no water. If half water will cool better, then I will add some so I can use my A/C more. I had always used all antifreeze because 1.) little it no pressure buildup and 2.) less corrosion since water is more corrosive than antifreeze.

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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."

MatthewH

Absolutely. Using all antifreeze isn't a very good idea-basically because water is a MUCH better heat transfer medium than ethylene glycol. And yes water is corrosive, but the effects are lessened by mixing it with coolant-another good practice is to use distilled water and distilled water only. As for the pressure buildup issue you're not getting as much because the glycol isn't absorbing as much heat as it would if it was mixed with water therefore it is not expanding as much. The pressure buildup in the system is essential when using water because it causes the boiling point to occur at a higher temperature. The physics involved are more than I care to type about right now, but a general rule of thumb to remember is:

Higher pressure = higher boiling point
Lower pressure = lower boiling point

HTH,

Matthew C. Hall

ronterry

'MatthewH' is right on, also note the viscosity of pure antifreeze is over working your pump big time.

You can get a gallon of distilled water for a dollar, also I use a product from Valvoline that is a anti-corrosive, and this *hit works good. I had parked my Camaro for over two years, and when I reclaim it from mother nature, the anti-freeze - cooling system looked like the day I added it two years earlier.

Something to consider.

Ron

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'82 Trans Am
'81 Camaro Z-28
'94 Vette LT1 Coupe

One Eyed Jack

how do you drain the coolant? I would like to do what you just said

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1992 Pontiac Firebird (stock)
- 5.0L V8 TBI / Automatic Trans / Every option, excluding leather
- Killer car audio system:

• Aiwa CDC-MP3 head unit
• Rockford Fosgate 360a2 amp
• pair of 12" MTX Thunder 5000s in a custom box
• Pioneer 3-way 6x9s, soon to add more more more!

thunderstick

There's a drain plug on either the left or right side tank - most commonly on the right side, right below the lower water pump hose. When you drain it, catch as much as you can, and keep any animals away from it, if it splashes around anywhere...

KAM

Vader

I'll second that. If your animals get anywhere near the solution they'll try to drink it because of the sweet aroma. The glycol turns into crystals in the liver, and will lacerate the liver from the inside, causing the animal to bleed to death internally.

Last summer I had a small puddle on the garage floor and I thought I saw my lab licking his lips after standing near the puddle. After running across two states to get antidote kits for the vet ($560.00 each) and the admininstration and blood test, the dumb **** is O.K. I never really wanted to have a $2,500 dog, but I guess I do now. I could have had a nice set of SLP headers and new torque converter for that.

Just one more reason to keep a clean and organized workspace.

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Later,
Vader
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"Let the bodies hit the floor!"
Adobe Acrobat Reader

Ward

iTrader: (1)

Boy i feel dumb now. All this time I have been wondering how to get my temperature down and all I had to do was add water. I know what I'm doig tomorrow... :P BTW, how many gallons of water is half the coolant system? Also, could I try like 40/60 or 30/70 percent AF/H20 for better cooling? And ronterry, whats the valvoline stuff called that is anti-corrosive? I will buy some of that too.

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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."

ronterry

I think those ratio's are fine, how ever in the winter you might check the lable on the back of the antifreeze. It usualy tells you a temp range to ratio.

The Valvoline stuff comes in a little white minature antifreeze container. It's blue in color, and does work good at protecting your system. Just change it everytime you change your antifreeze. I wish I can remember the name though.

It you want a perfect ratio you should pre-mix it in a seperate jug.

You might also consider a flush. Just flush water threw the system till its clear. You can get a way with sticking the water hose in the radiator, and just letting it drain out the bottom for a while. You might even consider a chemical flush, if it's been a while. Vavloline has that covered as well.

Get a brass brush, and clean the out side of your radiator. Front and back, and it you have air conditioning clean the front and back of the condensor as well. A lot of times crap gets down between the condensor & radiator.

Ron



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'82 Trans Am
'81 Camaro Z-28
'94 Vette LT1 Coupe

Enkil

And when you DO drain it, watch out for that annoying lip right below the plug (fondly referred to as a petco(k. Don't ask us why.)

That lip will cause the antifreeze to stream down in more than one place, so trying to catch it with a two liter isn't a good idea.

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89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

TomP

I haven't used my radiator's drain in a while for just the reason Enkil mentioned.

First, I wait until my engine's cold to do this. Second, raise the car on wheel ramps, and slide underneath with a big pan on my stomach, a screwdriver in my hand, and safety goggles over my eyes. I loosen the hose clamp for the lower radiator hose, on the radiator side. Then I pull the hose off the radiator, and all the coolant dumps into the pan on my stomach. Fast, quick, and not as messy as that damn drain spigot.

Well, it could be very messy- but I haven't missed yet!!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

Fire"Dutch"Bird

iTrader: (1)

90% dist.water+10% anti-freeze and one bottle Red-Line Waterwetter!
The anti-freeze only because of it's anti corrosion effects!
And don't drive it at freezing weather.

camaro1j

iTrader: (1)

Too drain the block there is a bolt at the bottem of the block in the midle of it. It is were some people have there knock sensor screwed in at.

robbob

I wouldn't use 100% antifreeze it will eat your rad,waterpump etc.
I would follow the manufacturers advice on the back of the bottle of 50/50 or 70/30.
Also redline wetter is a good additive

rondubbs

whatever you do dont try to siphen the atifreeze out.. my father did this becasue we couldnt get the plug out of the radiator to drain it.. and by accident he inhaled some antifreeze..
a trip to the emergency room and a sore chest and throat.. thank god he was ok.

ronterry

<ouchh>

I tell you what, there's a tool over at Checker Auto you can buy, just for getting those b@stard drain plugs out.

Just trying to make life easier.

Ron


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'82 Trans Am
'81 Camaro Z-28
'94 Vette LT1 Coupe

82camaro

Another vote for Red-Line Waterwetter


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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro

JoelOl75

Half Dex-Cool and half water.

(Hey it gets pretty damn cold in the winter here!)

TomP

Yeah... whatever happened to global warming? I don't feel any warmer!