Drained Radiator Water - Why So Clean!?

[yosini]

Morning,

I've drained a lot of radiators in my time, and flushed until everything runs clean, then after a week or so the water in the tank is brown again. I see this as normal.

So, when I drained the water out of my Vixen I was amazed to see it look like it had come straight from the Med. The water has been swilling around the 2500 lump for at least 3 years in my ownership - how can this be!? I'm not complaining just very confused, could using 100% antifreeze stop any internal corrosion? if so why doesn't everyone just do that - I know cost is an issue but antifreeze is much cheaper than beer and I'm happy to pee loads of that away.




Is this weird or have i just had really dirty internally rusting cars before?

Cheers

Joe

[paintman]

Sure it's water & not some sort of waterless coolant stuff?

[mini me]

yosini said:

Morning,

could using 100% antifreeze stop any internal corrosion? if so why doesn't everyone just do that - I know cost is an issue but antifreeze is much cheaper than beer and I'm happy to pee loads of that away.




Is this weird or have i just had really dirty internally rusting cars before?

Cheers

Joe

Oddly 100% antifreeze will actually freeze. Not sure exactly what temperature it freezes at but ive seen it happen in winter in the UK.

[yosini]

I did wonder about the waterless coolant stuff but have never used any or been near any in person so no idea what it is like or how to tell.

I know it's quite expensive, maybe moreso than beer.....so would rather just put normal stuff back in

Does anyone know how to identify waterless coolant?

Cheers

Joe

[HealeyV8]

yosini said:

I did wonder about the waterless coolant stuff but have never used any or been near any in person so no idea what it is like or how to tell.

I know it's quite expensive, maybe moreso than beer.....so would rather just put normal stuff back in

Does anyone know how to identify waterless coolant?

Cheers

Joe

When the engine is up to temperature remove the cap if you don't get scalded it's waterless

I was told not to run 100% antifreeze as it's not as good at exchanging heat as water so it won't cool your engine as well as 50/50 mix.
Modern antifreeze has rust inhibitors but these break down after time which is why you need to change your coolant regularly

[wag2]

I think pure antifreeze freezers at about -40° C

[eldar]

wag2 said:

I think pure antifreeze freezers at about -40° C

Or -40 F.

[Pica-Pica]

To refer to it as anti-freeze is a misnomer. It will extend the boiling point upward as well as lowering the freezing point (and has rust inhibitors too), and that is why the proportions are important.
Not the full answer, but some explanation is here
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ce-Co/Colligativ...

[Cold]

It isn't recommended to use 100% antifreeze as it can be flammable if you get it hot enough.

[lowdrag]

Evans Waterless seems to be a marmite discussion every time it comes up. Personally, I won't use it because of the cost, and because what happens if I get a leak while driving one day? I need to top up with water, go home, drain the system, run the cleaning liquid then refill with Evans; after I've repaired the leak of course. And in 37 years of owning my car I have never had a major problem anyway. But back to the OP's question. I drained mine after 3 years and it was dirty. No idea what caused you to have clean fluid, but then perhaps you have been going to church regularly.