Anti freeze into water?

[oli_quick]

Anyone used anti freeze in their coolant system.

Someone suggested I use this after complaining about the whole Cerb in traffic and stressing and frowning a lot...

If so what kind of mixture does it have - can it take?

100% antifreeze?

If not can someone tell me why...

[headcase]

Most antifreeze is suppost to be diluted, it will tell you whar ratio on the bottle. Any car should run with antifreeze all year round especially with an ally engine cos it stops internal corrosion as well!

[cerby4.5]

I use a 50/50 mix, is good for cooling all year round!! In places like Halfrauds it's often referred to as 'coolant' now not just 'anti-freeze'.
The only thing you shouldn't do is mix the different varieties (often indicated by different colours).
So if you are using new stuff, you need to drain/re-fill then bleed the whole system.
Cerby4.5

[ridds]

Anything more than 50/50 is actually bad for heat transfer.

Ideally use coolant in the winter and de-ionised water and water wetter in the summer.

However this will potentially knacker your water pump seals as the coolant has lubricating properties.

[robertjp]

Any brand names to stick by or are they all much of a muchness?

[ridds]

Much of a muchness I beleive.

Coolant stick to the Manufacturer reccommended brand.

[sideways500]

I agree with ridds on the cooling performance issue. Ethylene glycol (usual antifreeze compound) has something like only 2/3 the heat capacity of water. So probably use the most dillute solution you can, consistent with getting the lubrication / corrosion /antifreeze properties needed.

[oli_quick]

many thanks for all feedback - very interest to learn about the reduced heat absorbtion of antifreeze...I was under the impression it was the other way round...learn something everyday is my target...my work for the day is done!

Off for a drive!

[jensena]

I'd recomend the Halfords one - It meets all the latest specs, yet is cheaper than brands from the big boys. Anti freeze also inhibits corrosion in Aluminium, you really should have it in.

[gbbird]

I would have thought you always have anti=freeze in the coolant! I always do - tend to guess the mixture, but usually around 20/30% antifreeze

Regards

greg