Antifreeze

[TLRam1]

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.





Percentage [Water/Antifreeze] Freeze Temp [F] 

55/45   [-49] 

50/50  [-34]

60/40  [-12] 

70/30  [+4]

[hootmon]

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..

[Herman]

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.......

[hootmon]

I've also heard in some cases (Fork Lifts for example) that certain applications call for 100% Anti-Freeze.

[TLRam1]

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.

[Magnum Magna]

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

Peak could be less watered down than others.

[dgc67]

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.......

I think I have heard that around bench sessions.  BUT, I also thought/heard higher octane would increase performance in a standard engine. 

[roboto65]

Yeah but there is always Royal Purple 

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

[dgc67]

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.

[roboto65]

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!!!

[hootmon]

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     

[dgc67]

Since no one else has asked...  What is AntOfreeze?   

[hootmon]

Since no one else has asked...  What is AntOfreeze?   

I just thougth that's what you guys call it in Texas.. 

[lragan]

Since no one else has asked...  What is AntOfreeze?  

It is a politically correct term.  No one wants to freeze his auntie, or even suggest such.

[MarylandMagnav45]

Yeah but there is always Royal Purple 

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.