Antifreeze Concentrate VS 50/50 Mix

[Crankster]

Originally Posted by Oldgearz

I'd drain 1 gallon of the 50-50 mix, then add 1 gallon of pure concentrate.

Why? 50/50 mix is good to -34 below zero.

Use the 50-50 you drained in something else.

If -34 below zero isn't going to work in one engine, why will it be OK in a different engine?

[Oldgearz]

Crankster- Gene F and Rotorwrench are right. Maybe he wants something stronger than -34 degrees. Besides, maybe you believe the -34 degree claim but I'm not betting my engine on it. As to putting the drained 50-50 into another machine....maybe one that is parked in a heated garage?

[Crankster]

OK, maybe, was just trying to decipher the logic there.

[TomInCologne]

What about measurement with a refractometer? Wouldn't that be the preferred method if you don't trust the 'specific gravity' measurement? They don't cost much as a chinese copy but even then offer good precision if calibrated with de-ionized water and can also be used to measure battery acid...

[Crankster]

Certainly, but as I get older, I'm of the mind that the "preferred method" is to live somewhere it doesn't freeze!

[TomInCologne]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by Crankster

Certainly, but as I get older, I'm of the mind that the "preferred method" is to live somewhere it doesn't freeze!

isn't Florida already full?

[katy]

Originally Posted by TomInCologne

isn't Florida already full?

And it's shrinking due to rising sea levels.

[California Travieso]

Tap water is fully of minerals, especially calcium. I would never use tap water, I only use distilled Or demineralized water in the radiator, whether with antifreeze or straight. It’s very cheap by the Gallon at the market. You can easily carry two or three gallons in your car.

David Serrano

[rotorwrench]

I didn't figure on the hard freeze we had here in central Texas last February. 50/50 worked OK since it didn't get below zero but is was well under freezing for five days.

If you have any doubts, try putting some 50/50 in a metal container and set it out when you have a hard freeze and see what happens to it. Just make sure the pets can't get to it unless you're wanting to get rid of strays.

[Big hammer]

Distilled water is ion deficient meaning it hungry for lost metals! Do a Google search!
Deionized water would be a better choice! Please do a search! I use condensate water from a dehumidifier or deionized water in batteries or radiators, in a pinch any good drinking water!
Hyperlub.com is good reading!

[Ed in Maine]

All good comments. My cars are in Maine and they are jacked up for the winter. I don't use anti-freeze. I use Prestone Rust Inhibitor/Water Pump Lubricant and drain the radiator. With the addition of anti-freeze, the coolant has a lower specific gravity and tends to leak out easier. It makes a mess of the engine compartment, especially the firewall. I am also concerned that over the winter, there could be minor seepage past the head gasket. If the car is going to be stored, it is best to drain the radiator. I mark the calendars to "Drain Cars" on November 1st and put a note on the steering wheel "NO Water". Yes, I am old and I don't want to forget and take that first spring ride with no water!

[Crankster]

Originally Posted by Oldgearz

Besides, maybe you believe the -34 degree claim but I'm not betting my engine on it.

Is there some reason to doubt a 50/50 mix is not adequate to -34 below or performs as advertised? Seems to me, we would have heard about this by now. Glycol engine coolants became almost universal by the 1950s and the science is well understood.

[Mister Moose]

Remember the difference between freeze protection vs burst protection. Everyone here is using freeze protection numbers, but to protect the block from cracking what you want to pay attention to is burst protection.

Freeze protection: The temperature at which crystals start to form. This results in a slushy mix, one that does not completely block flow or expand in volume.

Burst protection: The temperature when the crystals & slush solidify into a solid mass, and volume increases to where in a restricted vessel the pressure would cause bursting/cracking.

Here's a table for Ethlyene glycol, the stuff we usually use:



Note that a 52% solution (52% glycol and 48% water) will give freeze protection to -40F, but only a 37% solution is required to provide burst protection to -40F. At 50% glycol, you are protected from burst to over -100F, not a temperature any of us will ever see.

Also keep in mind the higher the proportion of glycol, the more your cooling efficiency goes down. Glycol is less heat dense, it carries less heat away from the engine. If your car doesn't overheat in the summer with 50/50, then you won't care, but if your engine gets hot, consider reducing the glycol percentage you are running to 1/3 glycol to 2/3 water, that will give you burst protection to -25F. Your climate obviously affects your decision.

[katy]

Good one, thanks.