Changing coolant mixture for summer/winter

[dmention7]

So, it's pretty common knowledge that the MSP runs pretty hot, partly due to the fact that the radiator is a bit undersized in order to accomodate for the SMIC.

One thing I was considering to help account for that is running a much lower mixture of coolant/water during the summer (in addition to using Redline water wetter). Since antifreeze has a lower heat capacity than water, the less you run in your cooling system, the more effective it is at getting rid of heat. Numbers I have found indicate that a 50% antifreeze solution will carry 15-20% less heat than pure distilled water.

The only downside is that I'd have to drain and refill the coolant system in the fall to prevent freezing. Which, except for the cost of the coolant is not a big deal.

I was just curious if anyone around here does that, or if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[dmention7]

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for preferred brands of coolant?

 

[mndsm]

Get Beastiva running and you won't need to drive the MSP in the winter. Problem solved.

 

[dmention7]

Well, I'd still need antifreeze in the cooling system unless I want to find a cracked radiator in the spring

 

[mndsm]

True. I always thought about doing Redline/mix like that. Never really had a preference to coolant.... usually prestone or something like that for me.

 

[Big Nate]

I do know that it is not good to run just water in the cooling system. There area addatives in the coolent that hlp resist rust and or corrosion. You also need to worry about electrolysis coolent also helps to stop that.

 

[dmention7]

a bottle of the redline water wetter only costs about $8 at checker. It can be used with any mix of coolant as well

 

[dmention7]

I do know that it is not good to run just water in the cooling system. There area addatives in the coolent that hlp resist rust and or corrosion. You also need to worry about electrolysis coolent also helps to stop that.

I've heard that as long as you make sure to run distilled (or preferably deionized) water, you're okay to run without antifreeze. I guess I would want to check on that as well.

 

[Big Nate]

Well that post was very late sorry Jay. continue

 

[JustROLLIN]

I know that I have run strictly water with some water wetter with no issues. Also, a number of the DSM guys run water only with wetter and it works quite well for temp reduction. I dont know if people were using distilled water or not, but I know that I did.

Just make sure you bleed all the air out of your system when filling it back up and you should have zero issues.

 

[dmention7]

Distilled water is only $0.70/gal at the supermarket, so there's no reason not to, IMO.

 

[JustROLLIN]

The only reason you need anti-freeze in the system is for the obvious anti-freezing characteristics, but it also acts as lubrication. The water wetter will take the place of anti-freeze for the lube and also help lower the temps. I have noticed obvious coolant temp changes after doing this procedure.

 

[dmention7]

The only reason you need anti-freeze in the system is for the obvious anti-freezing characteristics, but it also acts as lubrication. The water wetter will take the place of anti-freeze for the lube and also help lower the temps. I have noticed obvious coolant temp changes after doing this procedure.

That's pretty much the exact info I was looking for. Thanks Joe

 

[JustROLLIN]

No problem Jay.