I have the Z up on jack stands this week waitin for new wheels to arrive and I'm going to take the opportunity to change/flush/bleed every fluid in the car.

This question pertains to the cooling system and the purpose of antifreeze. My question is: if you live in an area where freezing temperatures are never seen, is antifreeze neccessary to add to the system? Was thinking of just filing it with distilled water and adding water wetter for even cooler temps and corrosion protection. Antifreeze runs hotter than water alone and I don't think anywhere near a 50/50 mix is needed where I live; if anything just 15% antifreeze (recommended minimum percentage stated on the back of the container), but could I do without altogether?

 

From what Ive read . Water alone will cool better . But ...yes you have to add some type Corrosion protection .

 

Correct, coolant only acts a an anti-corrosion and anti-freezing agent. Water alone will keep the coolant system running at lower tempratures.

 

But the other side of the equation is that if there are any hotspots in the head then the higher boiling point of an antifreeze mix will help to reduce cavitation.
Purely on heat capacity at whatever temp it is running at then water is best, but when you factor in the higher boiling point it is not so clearcut.

Mike

 

That's true, the coolant not only reduces the freezing point it raises the boiling point and also contains anti-corrosion additives. It's just too simple to do the 50/50 and be done with it.

 

Hmm, well the Redline Water Wetter covers anti-corrosion, reduces hot spot vapor bubble formation and reduces coolant temps up to 30 deg.

Check out the demo here:Redline Water Wetter

I don't think higher boiling point is an issue, given the test info. shown. In warmer climates, 50% antifreeze in complete overkill; the question is whether I want any at all. Min. recommendation is 15%, but that's for the anti-corrosion properties, which would be covered by the Water Wetter.

 

water wetter honestly is junk...stay away from it. In my experience (lots of different cars) it gunks up badly when it gets hot, and starts turning literally into "goo". Having seen it a couple of my own cars + several customers cars, I'd never bother with any additives of any kind again.

if you are going to use water, make sure it's distilled water

 

Really? Hmm, wow; well, glad to hear some input on that, then. Guess I'll just do distilled water with 15% anti-freeze.

 

I use Royal Purple's "purple ice" & distilled water. I have used it for several years with 5 cars and it has always worked great.

 

Hmm, ok, I'll check that out. No antifreeze in the system, or is this an antifreeze?

 

it is like water wetter, but much better. anti-corrosive and lubricates everything. Click on the royal purple link in my signature.

 

Yeah, looking at it right now. Looks like ot does the same thing that Water Wetter claims. No signs of it gumming up or anything for you?

 

nothing. I have used Redline in the past and believe that Royal Purple is FAR superior to anything Redline produces.

 

Cool. Has this stuff shown you noticable effects of any kind or do you use it pretty much as a maitenance/preventative item?

 

maintenance/preventative item. I lived in San Diego for 5 years and used it with water only in all of the cars I had there. Never had issues of any sort.

 

Hey, well, that should work for me, then. In Houston now and moving to SD at the end of the year...