Anti-freeze

[Bassy]

I have a question.<br /> Here is what happened:<br /> Mom lives in Southern California. She and I took her car on a trip to Northern California this last January. We were climbing in elevation and her temp. guage was fluctuating up and down and further up and we finally pulled over. It was over heating and overflowed when I opened her reservoir cap. So, I go get 50/50 anti-freeze from the Stop&Go and her car took almost two of those. Mom says they just had the radiator flushed and she and Dad don't ever add Anti-freeze/coolant. Only water. I was surprised. <br /> Is that right? Is water all you add? No anti-freeze/coolant?<br />Bassy

 

[alden135]

Re: Anti-freeze

No, you're supposed to use antifreeze/coolant, not straight water. Besides its obvious benefits in it's name, it also contains corrosion inhibitors.

 

[alden135]

Re: Anti-freeze

Also, it's back to the shop for a pressure/leak test.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Anti-freeze

That's what I thought. You should have seen that ugly orange stuff overflowing out of her reservoir. Thanks.<br />Bassy

 

[one more cast]

Re: Anti-freeze

50/50 is correct. Water can be used in an emergency but you need anti-freeze for lubrication and rust inhibitors.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Anti-freeze

Originally posted by alden:<br /> Also, it's back to the shop for a pressure/leak test.

She took it to the shop when she got home and they found she had a freeze-plug problem. Or something like that.<br />So, she took it to Ford and had it taken care of.

 

[alden135]

Re: Anti-freeze

Some coolants are not supposed to be mixed. Check your owners manual for the proper type.<br /><br />EDIT<br />Some coolants are not supposed to be mixed<br /><br />What I meant was some types are not supposed to be mixed with others.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Anti-freeze

Originally posted by alden:<br /> Some coolants are not supposed to be mixed. Check your owners manual for the proper type.

Okay and I'll let her know.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Anti-freeze

In addition to the corrosion inhibitors, coolant is a better heat transfer medium than just water. The NASCAR boys found that out years ago.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Anti-freeze

Unless it is winter, you primarily need anti-freeze (coolant) to raise the boiling temperature of the cooling liquid. Modern autos run hot for emission purposes. Straight water will boil, causing the liquid to lose contact with the parts needing cooled. Boiling also increases the pressure in the cooling system, causing it to overflow.<br /><br />Straight coolant (unless marked pre-mixed) does not have sufficent heat transfer capability, to draw the heat off the motor parts then transfer it out of the radiator.<br /><br />A 50/50 mix has been engineered to provide the right balance of anti boiling characteristics and heat transfer. In the process you get cooling liquid that will not freeze and has all of OMC's mentioned lubricants and rust inhibitors especially neccessary for todays multi metal motors.<br /><br />You should always use low mineral water when mixing antifreeze.(ideal would be distilled water) Typical deep well water has too much calcium which will plate out and clog the teeny little radiator passages, either blocking the flow or reducing the heat transfer capability of the radiator.

 

[Bassy]

Re: Anti-freeze

Thank you for the awesome help. I knew I could count on you guys.<br />Bassy

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anti-freeze

Orange stuff???? Is it a General Motors car? Sounds like dex-cool. If it is dexcool it can only be topped off with dexcool compatible anti freeze and the green stuff is not compatible.

 

[fireship1]

Re: Anti-freeze

Orange antifreeze has no place in a Ford car! Get the orange death-cool antifreeze out of there and put gold or green in it's place. The orange is made for GM engines that call for it. Using it in other cars that don't require it can cause seal and gasket damage that will lead to leaks anong other things.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Anti-freeze

If Im following this right, the "ORANGE" stuff was probably rust!