What will be the effect of 100% coolant?

Raccoon · 13th October 2009, 01:29

Lol!

That was a good one! Better still, install a car fridge like they have in the west. Then you would have a dubious in-house distilled water production plant for free. Or would you recommend collecting the car AC water instead, for lesser folks like me (who don't have a car fridge)?

khoj · 13th October 2009, 02:35

Touche',

you got me man! I never thought one of the advantages of joining the forum would be that you get to end the day with a hearty laugh.

sgiitk · 19th October 2009, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

Again, although I agree with your point, you are confusing the issue with your use of the word coolant.

The system (assumng it isn't empty) always contains 100% coolant!

I agree that whatever be the fluid in the radiator whether 100% aqua or 100% antifreeze is the coolant. However, I think in this discussion the term coolant is used as a synonym for Antifreeze.

Thad E Ginathom · 19th October 2009, 14:56

Yes... but that is exactly the mistake many of us are trying to sort out. It is not a synonym for anti-freeze.

I'm preferring to say "additive" , rather than "anti-freeze", as many of our members may not have heard of "freeze" even, being blessed with being born where such a thing does not happen

anupmathur · 19th October 2009, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gansan

Thanks! Are you from Navy/Merchant Navy background, sir?

Indeed I am; from the latter.
What made you ask, may I ask?

Gansan · 19th October 2009, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Aye, it would be!
I've mentioned it here:

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Indeed I am; from the latter.
What made you ask, may I ask?

The "Aye" sir! For a while our company had a shipping division and I was in-charge of the pay roll of the floating personnel. Had heard this usage whenever I went on board at Indian ports.

Just a shot in the dark!

david.mcgreggor · 18th November 2010, 12:42

Uh-oh!

I recently got the coolant changed when I went to fill fuel. The guy told me that there was too much water and the mixture was too thin; so I asked him to change it. Since i just purchased the car ('98 carb'd Esteem) I'm not well aware of these things.

He put in 3or4liters (not sure) of pure coolant.

What should I do? Flush a portion out and top up with water? Or just let it be?

Cheers,
Dave

Thad E Ginathom · 18th November 2010, 13:21

Aaaarrrggghhh (sorry, not personal, this is just one of my 'things'

Pure coolant would be --- water.

Putting aside my language rant, though, and trying to be more useful: I think you should have it checked at a service station, where, hopefully, they will do so properly. I don't know how they do it, but I guess it is like checking the SG of battery fluid. This used to be a regular autumn thing, back in UK, in the pre-sealed days, to check the anti-freeze concentration and top up if necessary.

Still being cynical... can't help wondering if this guy just wanted to sell you 3-4 litres of additive! I wonder how many people he tells to add water!

Gansan · 18th November 2010, 13:30

@Thad
The can itself announces loudly it is such and such brand of "engine coolant". So nobody uses the term "anti freeze" here! Moreover I think it has some anti-corrosive properties as well.

@David
As Thad says, the actual cooling is done by the water. The so called coolant is added to prevent freezing during very cold weather and to minimize scaling/corrosion. It also raises the boiling point of water to minimize evaporation. Take the car to a workshop asap and tell them what happened.

david.mcgreggor · 18th November 2010, 13:37

By coolant I mean the additive, not a cooling material. To the best of my (limited) knowledge, the additive we purchase at petrol bunkers/pumps is known as coolant; which is why I referred to it as coolant; Am i mistaken? I in no way meant the actual material (water) that performs the cooling.

So coming back to my question, should I drain out some of the so called "coolant aka green stuff" and pour in some distilled water?

Gansan · 18th November 2010, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by david.mcgreggor

So coming back to my question, should I drain out some of the so called "coolant aka green stuff" and pour in some distilled water?

Absolutely. Take the car to the MASS, tell them what happened and they will do the needful. For most cars the ratio will be two thirds water and one third coolant.

Before that please check the can of whatever coolant was filled in your car. Some brands may come pre-mixed with distilled water, ready for use. If what you filled belongs to this category, you can rest easy and need not worry.

david.mcgreggor · 18th November 2010, 13:52

Cool, will take it to MASS this weekend. Thanks!

Thad E Ginathom · 18th November 2010, 15:11

Yep... don't try correcting the concentration yourself, a you cannot measure it.

Hopefully, MASS will do the job properly.

anupmathur · 18th November 2010, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gansan

.....
It also raises the boiling point of water to minimize evaporation. ....

Not really! The boiling point elevation is achieved by having the system under pressure.

david.mcgreggor · 18th November 2010, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Not really! The boiling point elevation is achieved by having the system under pressure.

Makes sense to me!

Anup, What would you say are the possible issues with running the car with only the "green stuff" in the radiator (sans water)

If I'm not mistaken the "green stuff" also has some amount of water in it, and I doubt its too viscous so as to not flow if not diluted. What's your take on this?

Cheers,
Dave

13th October 2009, 01:29	#121
Raccoon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Poona Posts: 1,851 Thanked: 116 Times	Lol! That was a good one! Better still, install a car fridge like they have in the west. Then you would have a dubious in-house distilled water production plant for free. Or would you recommend collecting the car AC water instead, for lesser folks like me (who don't have a car fridge)? Last edited by Raccoon : 13th October 2009 at 01:32.
	() Thanks

13th October 2009, 02:35	#122
khoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dilli Posts: 2,718 Thanked: 1,287 Times View My Garage	Touche', you got me man! I never thought one of the advantages of joining the forum would be that you get to end the day with a hearty laugh.
	() Thanks

19th October 2009, 14:56	#124
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 26,460 Times	Yes... but that is exactly the mistake many of us are trying to sort out. It is not a synonym for anti-freeze. I'm preferring to say "additive" , rather than "anti-freeze", as many of our members may not have heard of "freeze" even, being blessed with being born where such a thing does not happen
	() Thanks

18th November 2010, 12:42	#127
david.mcgreggor Newbie Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 20 Thanked: 0 Times	Uh-oh! I recently got the coolant changed when I went to fill fuel. The guy told me that there was too much water and the mixture was too thin; so I asked him to change it. Since i just purchased the car ('98 carb'd Esteem) I'm not well aware of these things. He put in 3or4liters (not sure) of pure coolant. What should I do? Flush a portion out and top up with water? Or just let it be? Cheers, Dave
	() Thanks

18th November 2010, 13:21	#128
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 26,460 Times	Aaaarrrggghhh (sorry, not personal, this is just one of my 'things' Pure coolant would be --- water. Putting aside my language rant, though, and trying to be more useful: I think you should have it checked at a service station, where, hopefully, they will do so properly. I don't know how they do it, but I guess it is like checking the SG of battery fluid. This used to be a regular autumn thing, back in UK, in the pre-sealed days, to check the anti-freeze concentration and top up if necessary. Still being cynical... can't help wondering if this guy just wanted to sell you 3-4 litres of additive! I wonder how many people he tells to add water!
	() Thanks

18th November 2010, 13:30	#129
Gansan Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,539 Thanked: 5,564 Times	@Thad The can itself announces loudly it is such and such brand of "engine coolant". So nobody uses the term "anti freeze" here! Moreover I think it has some anti-corrosive properties as well. @David As Thad says, the actual cooling is done by the water. The so called coolant is added to prevent freezing during very cold weather and to minimize scaling/corrosion. It also raises the boiling point of water to minimize evaporation. Take the car to a workshop asap and tell them what happened. Last edited by Gansan : 18th November 2010 at 13:32.
	() Thanks

18th November 2010, 13:37	#130
david.mcgreggor Newbie Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 20 Thanked: 0 Times	By coolant I mean the additive, not a cooling material. To the best of my (limited) knowledge, the additive we purchase at petrol bunkers/pumps is known as coolant; which is why I referred to it as coolant; Am i mistaken? I in no way meant the actual material (water) that performs the cooling. So coming back to my question, should I drain out some of the so called "coolant aka green stuff" and pour in some distilled water?
	() Thanks

18th November 2010, 13:52	#132
david.mcgreggor Newbie Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 20 Thanked: 0 Times	Cool, will take it to MASS this weekend. Thanks!
	() Thanks

18th November 2010, 15:11	#133
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 26,460 Times	Yep... don't try correcting the concentration yourself, a you cannot measure it. Hopefully, MASS will do the job properly.
	() Thanks