AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY
Water Coolant
Water is an excellent heat-transfer medium when liquid, but it changes state. When it boils at 212° F, it creates vapor pockets that can insulate and hold heat in the metal rather than transferring heat away. When below 32° F, water freezes, expanding to generate enough pressure to crack engine blocks.
The traditional coolant used for keeping engines at their proper temperature contains 50% water. Even when you purchase antifreeze for your vehicle, most manufacturers encourage you to cut the coolant in half with water. Any coolant option which contains water promotes overheating and may contribute to premature engine corrosion. That is why waterless coolant is an alternative to consider for any vehicle.
Waterless Coolant
WHAT IS WATERLESS COOLANT?
Water-based antifreezes have been used in car engines for about a century, but water can cause major problems inside engines, including corrosion, boil-over, and engine breakdowns. Waterless coolants can prevent engine overheating and reduce cooling system maintenance, and can last much longer than a water-based coolant.
-
Most engine coolants/antifreezes are a 50/50 mix of ethylene glycol and water. Waterless coolant is a glycol-based fluid that is ready to use, no water required.
-
Water has superior heat transfer capabilities but water’s low boiling point is close to the operating temperature of an engine, and water can cause corrosion.
-
Waterless coolants provide sufficient heat transfer, boil at a higher temperature, and are non-corrosive.
-
Installing waterless coolant eliminates many problems associated with water in conventional water-based cooling systems, while increasing reliability and engine life.
ADVANTAGES OF WATERLESS COOLANT?
Let’s state the obvious: waterless coolant is different from regular coolant because there is no water in it. Waterless coolant is made up of the same basic glycols as regular coolant but operates much differently without the water.
Temperature : The boiling point of waterless coolant is 375 degrees Fahrenheit and it freezes at -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead of expanding when frozen, like water does, without the water, the coolant actually decreases in volume.
Stability : Waterless coolant additives do not fall out of solution as with regular coolant. Stable additives are added to the waterless coolant so the coolant never goes bad, whether it is used or still sitting in the container, so it never has to be replaced.
Vapor pressure : Waterless coolant doesn’t build vapor pressure in the system. There is moderate pressure build-up from a 7-percent fluid expansion, so if you open the radiator cap when the coolant is hot, it may spill out a few tablespoons, but it doesn’t have the vapor pressure that can blow up in your face like regular coolant. It must be said that if there is residual water still in the system (over 3 to 5 percent), vapor pressure will build.
Mixing : If you have waterless coolant in your system and it is low and you didn’t bring extra waterless coolant to the track, don’t worry. You can add water or regular coolant to the system with no issues. With water added, it will behave just like regular coolant and lose the waterless-coolant benefits.
High temperatures : Regular coolant is going to boil out. If you don’t let the engine cool down or refill it, you will damage the engine. With waterless coolant, the engine will continue to run fine with restricted airflow, although it is possible that the plastic parts in the cooling system, such as the pump impeller or fittings holding the radiator hoses together, can melt.
Ready to use and no water required. It contains no silicates or phosphates and requires no Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA).
-
Boiling Point : Above 190°C
-
Antifreeze Properties : Protects below -40°C
-
Benefits : Eliminates corrosion and pump cavitation, reduces system pressure, prevents overheating, maximizes BHP
-
Life Span : Protects for life of the engine
-
Low fuel consumption
