Magna Owners Of Texas

Public Forums => The Garage => Topic started by: TLRam1 on December 16, 2008, 08:08:14 PM

Title: Antifreeze
Post by: TLRam1 on December 16, 2008, 08:08:14 PM
Since the cold temperatures have set in many think do I have enough antifreeze to prevent freezing?

My personal beliefs.

This is another topic my belief leads me to think Mfg did a marketing job to increase the amount of antifreeze used in our systems to a 50/50 ratio, played on our fears of the unknowing that we need this mixture for proper cooling and lubrication of our cooling systems.

Those of you who are/were DIY'ers 20-30 years ago will remember the charts on the back of antifreeze bottles with mixture ratios showing below freezing temperatures/boil points your coolant would be safe to.

Typical of the day were 70/30, 60/40 and even 80/20 (IIRC, protection was in the teens) ratios (water to coolant), for the Texas (hotter) area anyway, you mixed 50/50 for the northern parts.

Jump ahead to current condition and 50/50 is recommended and easily available in a premix of 50/50. Of course this is easier to mix and does no harm to your system if you prefer, but does cost you more and line the pockets of the antifreeze companies with your monies. Most Mfg have gone along with this 50/50 mixture.

Water is a better for cooling the motor than antifreeze, over a certain percentage of
antifreeze and the cooling properties fall way off to what I understand an unsafe level. I have not researched how unsafe but probably not too unsafe anyway just wanted to stipulate this.

Magna 94-03 cooling capacity is 2.5 US Qts.

Here are a couple of charts,

For ease of understanding......... If you have a 10 qt system and you add 3 qts of antifreeze (70/30 ratio - water/antifreeze) you are protected to 4 degrees F, 4qts (60/40 ratio – water/antifreeze) would give you protection to a minus -12 degrees F.

In Texas it rarely gets to 4 degrees and if you park in the garage it stays well above the outdoor temperature anyway, so a 70/30 would do us well here, you can go 65/35, 60/40 or 50/50. I would not go stronger than 50/50 unless you're in a northern climate with temps dipping way down.

(http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr80/MOOT-Photos/Antifreeze-PeakChart.jpg)

(http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr80/MOOT-Photos/Antifreeze.jpg)

Percentage [Water/Antifreeze] Freeze Temp [F] 

55/45   [-49] 

50/50  [-34]

60/40  [-12] 

70/30  [+4]

Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: hootmon on December 16, 2008, 08:18:42 PM
Good info Terry.. One additional advantage to Anti-Freeze, it also helps stop rust/corrosion. I'm not saying the more anti-freeze the better, but you also don't want to run straight water as it would encourage the aluminium to corrode and any steel parts to rust..
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: Herman on December 16, 2008, 08:53:41 PM
I had heard that the proper mixture of antifreeze and water actually had better cooling properties than water alone....humm, I'm going to have to do some research....... :?
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: hootmon on December 16, 2008, 09:09:26 PM
I've also heard in some cases (Fork Lifts for example) that certain applications call for 100% Anti-Freeze.
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: TLRam1 on December 16, 2008, 09:12:37 PM
Quote from: Herman on December 16, 2008, 08:53:41 PM
I had heard that the proper mixture of antifreeze and water actually had better cooling properties than water alone....humm, I'm going to have to do some research....... :?

From PEAK Antifreeze website.

However, we do not recommend adding more than 70% antifreeze. This would limit the corrosion and freeze up protection and heat transfer capabilities of the antifreeze.

I thought 65 percent of antifreeze was the limit, Peak shows 70 percent.
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: Magnum Magna on December 16, 2008, 10:01:42 PM
Quote from: TLRam1 on December 16, 2008, 09:12:37 PM


I thought 65 percent of antifreeze was the limit, Peak shows 70 percent.

Peak could be less watered down than others.
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: dgc67 on December 17, 2008, 06:13:57 AM
QuoteI had heard that the proper mixture of antifreeze and water actually had better cooling properties than water alone....humm, I'm going to have to do some research.......

I think I have heard that around bench sessions.  BUT, I also thought/heard higher octane would increase performance in a standard engine.  :shock: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: roboto65 on December 17, 2008, 06:33:57 AM
Yeah but there is always Royal Purple  :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.royalpurple.com/radiator-additive.html
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: dgc67 on December 17, 2008, 06:38:39 AM
I used the Royal Purple additive for the intercooler on a 2003 Mustang Cobra.  I have some in my Magna right now also.  I added it during the heat of the summer.  I guarantee it knocked several degrees off.
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: roboto65 on December 17, 2008, 06:41:01 AM
Hey everybody gives me a hard time about me and my Royal Purple but it is GOOD stuff !!!!! I use there 10w40 in my bike have been for years!!!
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: hootmon on December 17, 2008, 07:32:59 AM
Quote from: roboto65 on December 17, 2008, 06:41:01 AM
Hey everybody gives me a hard time about me and my Royal Purple but it is GOOD stuff !!!!! I use there 10w40 in my bike have been for years!!!
I didn't realize that Royal Purple had a 10-WD40 product and that you could use it in a bike, maybe on a kickstand, but not in a motor  :lol:  :shock:  :lol:
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: dgc67 on December 17, 2008, 08:29:42 AM
Since no one else has asked...  What is AntOfreeze?   :lol: :wink: :wink:
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: hootmon on December 17, 2008, 09:00:40 AM
Quote from: DG on December 17, 2008, 08:29:42 AM
Since no one else has asked...  What is AntOfreeze?   :lol: :wink: :wink:
I just thougth that's what you guys call it in Texas..  :cool:
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: lragan on December 17, 2008, 09:11:55 AM
Quote from: DG on December 17, 2008, 08:29:42 AM
Since no one else has asked...  What is AntOfreeze?   :lol: :wink: :wink:

It is a politically correct term.  No one wants to freeze his auntie, or even suggest such.
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: MarylandMagnav45 on December 17, 2008, 10:08:15 AM
Quote from: roboto65 on December 17, 2008, 06:33:57 AM
Yeah but there is always Royal Purple  :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol:

http://www.royalpurple.com/radiator-additive.html

How do you use the stuff?  I know I can look it up, but I'd rather have you tell me since you mention it so much.
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: KTC on December 17, 2008, 10:10:05 AM
i believe it has something to do w/the more usage of aluminum and as you know water is aluminum's enemy thus higher amts of antIfreeze.  uh or something
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: TLRam1 on December 17, 2008, 11:00:43 AM
Quote from: DG on December 17, 2008, 08:29:42 AM
Since no one else has asked...  What is AntOfreeze?   :lol: :wink: :wink:

I see you are the witty one and caught that.  8-) :-P
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: dgc67 on December 17, 2008, 11:06:37 AM
I am going to show my wife this post.  I keep telling her I am witty but she insists I am a smarta$$.  :shock:
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: hootmon on December 17, 2008, 11:27:01 AM
Quote from: TLRam1 on December 17, 2008, 11:00:43 AM
I see you are the witty one and caught that.  8-) :-P
I was just giving you Grace.. It is the Christmas season after all.  It did take a LOT of resistance on my part though, because as with DG, my wife is always calling me a SmartA55 Whiteboy.. She keeps threatening to get me the patch for my vest.. or was it a sticker for my bike.. Hey, maybe both..
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: KTC on December 17, 2008, 12:44:17 PM
Grace, Grace.......
Title: Re: Antifreeze
Post by: TLRam1 on December 18, 2008, 01:31:52 AM
Allen, not to worry, the guys in the Triple forums really like your Royal Purple as seen below.

whiskeysid wrote:
So is the Royal Purple stuff smoky?

When you first start it up, yes! When it's warmed up and you're just tooling along, moderately, and when you get on it, HELL YEAH!

and another..

They have some pretty smokey stuff over in humboldt mendocino cty in calif. known as the royal purple. Though I believe its a different strain. 


and yet another

I used Bel Ray Si-7 for years, but lately I have been turned off by "smoke-less" oils. (and I have a name to live up to!) I now use Royal Purple TCWIII, very happy with it! 
Title: Re: Antofreeze
Post by: warnerwh on December 19, 2008, 01:13:49 PM
Quote from: DG on December 17, 2008, 06:38:39 AM
I used the Royal Purple additive for the intercooler on a 2003 Mustang Cobra.  I have some in my Magna right now also.  I added it during the heat of the summer.  I guarantee it knocked several degrees off.

Definitely lowers temps.  On my bike the fan came on much less after I added the additive. Red Line also makes a water wetter.