Coolant Treatment

[AZ86Turbo]

Has anybody tried a product from Redline called Water Wetter? It supposedly lowers your coolant temp up to 30 degrees and protects from corrosion. Running the Esprit in the Phoenix summer gets it pretty toasty (what you expect from 112 degrees, probably not what Mr. Chapman had in mind!). In fairness the car does not overheat it just runs on the upper end of acceptable. I thought this product might be of help to those of us driving in desert climates. I usually don't believe in miracle fluids but Redline seems to have a great following with their other products.

Thanks, Doug

[okc-esprit]

I asked the mechanic servicing my 90 SE and he said they use Water Wetter in all of rotory powered cars they service. He felt we would see some benefit in the Lotus.

[lotusguy]

Hi,

Water-wetter from Redline is a good product to use in your system. It does increase the heat absorbing asbilities of the standard water/glycol mix, resulting in cooler running and higher boilover protection.

This is an additive to the regular coolant, not a substitute for it. It only costs $12.00USD for the bottle. Highly recommended. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[Dr.Hess]

I use Water Wetter. It has no corrosion protection; it just increases the heat carrying capacity of the water. I suspect it is merely a surfactant with some dye. Make sure you use enough for the cooling system capacity. Probably 2 bottles for an Esprit but look it up.

I was borderline overheating in my little 22R Truck towing the Esprit back over the mountains 1800 miles home. Adding Water Wetter allowed me to keep the AC on and the heater off longer. Some hills I could take with just the AC off. That stretch of 13 miles up hill on I10 through the desert east of L.A. was still tough. I will be adding WW to my Esprit when I service out the radiator and change to Toyota red coolant.

Dr.Hess

[ErnestM]

Since I have been using water wetter here in good old Central Florida, I have noticed that my coolant temperature does not run up to the magic 100 number as often as it used too. I have also noticed that the "ghost fan turn on"* after I park the car and power down doesn't happend as often...

*"ghost fan turn on" - in the V8's the temp is monitored even after you switch of ignition. If temp reaches a certain point, the fans and cooling system are activated to cool things down. IT SCARES THE P!$$ out of you the first time it happens and you are not prepared (especially if you are checking tire pressure at the time )

ErnestM

[lotusguy]

Dr.Hess said:

I use Water Wetter. It has no corrosion protection; it just increases the heat carrying capacity of the water. Dr.Hess

Hi,

Hate to disagree with you Doc, but, I just looked the label on a spare bottle of Water Wetter on my shelf and RedLine does, in fact, claim enhanced corrosion protection as one of Water Wetter's qualities.

What that means, of course, is up for debate. But, nonetheless, it is their claim. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[Dr.Hess]

OK, Jim. Have to look at the label on the bottle on my shelf. I just seem to recall that circle track racers run straight water and WW and of course have no anti-freeze effect, but no (maybe limited?) anti-corrosion effect as well.

Dr.Hess

[okc-esprit]

Redline recommends the following: "For best protection for aluminum, replenish or replace every 15,000 miles."

Also, the science discussed on the tech page makes senses to me.
www.redlineoil.com/redlineoil/wwti.htm

Wonder how much difference it would have made going through construction on I-35 outside of Denton, TX. My poor wife ended up turning the heater on three times (outside air 95F). To her credit, she took it in stride as part of owning this type of car. Yes, I offered to trade spots but she wouldn't think of it.

[tlannon]

I use water wetter, but mines by Royal Purple,called Purple Ice. Its very popular among racers in the UK im told, and it has lowered my engine temps. They claim corrosion protection as well.

[lotusguy]

tlannon said:

I use water wetter, but mines by Royal Purple,called Purple Ice. Its very popular among racers in the UK im told, and it has lowered my engine temps. They claim corrosion protection as well.

Hi,

It's available here in the States, mostly at specialty racing shops along with their full line of lubes. I don't think they market as agressively as RedLine and so may be less well known.

Interestingly, it seems to be very popular in the UK despite the fact that it's a US company based in Texas. See www.royalpurple.com/ for more info. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[techspy]

I have been thinking of using this as well. Mine too does not overheat, but it would be even better at a lower temp. I am going to add it to the chargecooler system as well.

John
94 S4

[sanj]

lotusguy said:

Dr.Hess said: I use Water Wetter. It has no corrosion protection; it just increases the heat carrying capacity of the water. Dr.Hess Hi, Hate to disagree with you Doc, but, I just looked the label on a spare bottle of Water Wetter on my shelf and RedLine does, in fact, claim enhanced corrosion protection as one of Water Wetter's qualities.

The issue for concern when running just water and Water Wetter is not corrrosion protection, but lubrication for the water pump. A water pump lubricant should be added to the mix. If you are using a standard coolant (antifreeze) the lubricant is already present.

Cheers,
Sanj

[lotusguy]

Sanj,

I agree 100%. In fact, Water Wetter recommends that for street cars, their product works best w/ a water/glycol mix of less than 50%, but more than 15% to provide just the lubrication you describe.

I think whomever mentioned running just water/Water Wetter was describing what racers use as water alone has a greater heat carrying capacity than water/glycol at the expense of earlier boilover. The Ethylene Glycol's role is to raise the boiling point as well as extend the freezing point of the mix at the expense of some heat carrying capacity.

Serendipitously, it was also found to have sufficient lubricating properties to replace the grease and grease nipples found on very old cars to lubricate the waterpump bearing and seals. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

sanj said:

lotusguy said: Dr.Hess said: I use Water Wetter. It has no corrosion protection; it just increases the heat carrying capacity of the water. Dr.Hess Hi, Hate to disagree with you Doc, but, I just looked the label on a spare bottle of Water Wetter on my shelf and RedLine does, in fact, claim enhanced corrosion protection as one of Water Wetter's qualities. The issue for concern when running just water and Water Wetter is not corrrosion protection, but lubrication for the water pump. A water pump lubricant should be added to the mix. If you are using a standard coolant (antifreeze) the lubricant is already present. Cheers, Sanj