Can a mixture of mostly water be used in a radiator during the summer months?

[Mister-B]

I've got a coolant leak I'm trying to hunt down. I'm getting tired of wasting $13 bottles of antifreeze while I do so. It's probably the radiator that has a leak, but I want to make sure and then I'll need to schedule a time to remove the radiator and have it patched.

Can I just fill it with water while I sort this out, seeing as its warmer now? I understand just about any fluid could be used in a pinch survival back roads situation, but this isn't that and I don't want to harm anything
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[Mint68]

I have used straight water with out any noticable ill effects. Antifreeze may have corrosion protection in it, but if you dont plan on using it forever like that, I wouldn't worry about doing it.

[Lattimer]

just don't forget what you have done. I have seen lots of drag race engines run straight water (track requirement). Owner forgets to swap back to anti freeze, keeps saying " I'll do it later." Later never comes and the block is now cracked in the middle of winter.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

just don't forget what you have done. I have seen lots of drag race engines run straight water (track requirement). Owner forgets to swap back to anti freeze, keeps saying " I'll do it later." Later never comes and the block is now cracked in the middle of winter.

Yeah, good point. Kinda like doing the same with windshield washer fluid.
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[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Yeah, good point. Kinda like doing the same with windshield washer fluid.
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Only way more expensive.

[SS Tim]

If you have to do this, distilled water in the buck a gallon jugs will work. Might want to dump some cooling system additive in too. Just remember it is not the first nor best choice and plan on a citric acid cleaning once you have nailed it down. On the flip side a quick pressure test should show the leak pronto. Remember dropping coolant on the ground is not a good thing for several reasons.

[BMERDOC]

Have you had it pressure tested? Any service station should be able to pump it up and make it leak for you.

[junksaver]

I wouldn't do it. I suggest fixing the problem. Running straight water will lead to more problems. I'm in the salvage business and I get a chance to cut up hundreds of vehicles a year. The number one cause of people destroying engines is lack of cooling system maintence. Plain water causes rust. It will destroy water pumps, freeze plugs, head gaskets and the inside of your block. The rust will stick to the inside of your hoses and clog your radiator. You need antifreeze for corrision protection and lubrication for your water pump seal. I could post up some scary pictures.

Water- Don't do it.
Leak- Fix it now and save money later.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Have you had it pressure tested? Any service station should be able to pump it up and make it leak for you.

Haven't tried that. Good idea
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[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by junksaver

I wouldn't do it. I suggest fixing the problem. Running straight water will lead to more problems. I'm in the salvage business and I get a chance to cut up hundreds of vehicles a year. The number one cause of people destroying engines is lack of cooling system maintence. Plain water causes rust. It will destroy water pumps, freeze plugs, head gaskets and the inside of your block. The rust will stick to the inside of your hoses and clog your radiator. You need antifreeze for corrision protection and lubrication for your water pump seal. I could post up some scary pictures.

Water- Don't do it.
Leak- Fix it now and save money later.

Very good points. Thanks. We have very hard water too
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[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

If you have to do this, distilled water in the buck a gallon jugs will work. Might want to dump some cooling system additive in too. Just remember it is not the first nor best choice and plan on a citric acid cleaning once you have nailed it down. On the flip side a quick pressure test should show the leak pronto. Remember dropping coolant on the ground is not a good thing for several reasons.

Great idea
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[JellyBeanDriver]

You can rent a radiator pressure tester for free from Autozone.

[mud.man.rj]

Better to just get it tested or pull then pull the rad and get it fixed then forget about it. Won't stretch on a make other problems that way.

[buckskins4ever]

If you dont know all the little quirks and hiding spots for small leaks, then I would stretch out your money and pay to have it Pressure Tested at a place like Midas. Its cheap to have done and their mechanics know engines well so if it happens to e in the heads, you at least know and get it found fast.

[LSUMurse]

I wouldn't do it. Coolant also helps in the summer by increasing the boiling point thereby allowing the radiator to work more effectively.

If you really want to do it, I would reccommend using a 30/70 or 20/80 mixture to save on the amount of antifreeze. This will lower your costs and not deprive the engine at the same time.

[BOHICA-Chevy68]

antifreeze. isn't just to stop freezing. it helps cool as well. most people forget that.

[leddzepp]

Take it to a radiator shop, have it pressure tested, and have the leaks repaired. I always run distilled water, as we have hard water here as well.
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[Mister-B]

Ok guys. I hear you loud and clear. I'll scrap the idea completely

Thanks!
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[JellyBeanDriver]

Originally Posted by BOHICA-Chevy68

antifreeze. isn't just to stop freezing. it helps cool as well. most people forget that.

It raises the boiling point (as does the pressure cap) but other than that, water transfers heat better than antifreeze.

[BOHICA-Chevy68]

I don't mean to be argumentative, I just want to make sure the right info is portrayed. Ethylene Glycol adsorbs heat far better then H2O. Waters Boiling Point is 220 degrees F and EG is 387. The chemical make up alone makes it a better heat adsorbent. I only Appel of this a a HAZMAT tech with a chemistry degree. Far more is going on then just raising the freezing point of H2O.
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[WadmalawJoe]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

If you have to do this, distilled water in the buck a gallon jugs will work. Might want to dump some cooling system additive in too. Just remember it is not the first nor best choice and plan on a citric acid cleaning once you have nailed it down. On the flip side a quick pressure test should show the leak pronto. Remember dropping coolant on the ground is not a good thing for several reasons.

Hey Tim, I've never heard of citric acid cleaning of the coolant system. I'm very interested how is this done? My radiator looks to be brand new on the outside, I was shocked to see how scaly it was on the inside when I checked it the other day.


and Mister B, I have to give you hard time on this one.... sounds like somebody should have invested in radiator repair and not a shiny new seat cover....lol, can't wait to see how your seat cover project turns out, sounds like a tough project, I need to do mine as well.

[SS Tim]

Member VWNate1 here in SoCal is a big proponent of this method.
Take a look here starting at post #19 and he has a Word Doc proceedure at post #24.

[Turbolark]

I run no antifreeze in any of my cars. I use water with WaterWetter only. The key is the Water Wetter. It has the corrosion protection and lubricants needed that straight water wont give you. BUT..I live in So California, so I don't need to be concerned with freezing.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by WadmalawJoe

Hey Tim, I've never heard of citric acid cleaning of the coolant system. I'm very interested how is this done? My radiator looks to be brand new on the outside, I was shocked to see how scaly it was on the inside when I checked it the other day.


and Mister B, I have to give you hard time on this one.... sounds like somebody should have invested in radiator repair and not a shiny new seat cover....lol, can't wait to see how your seat cover project turns out, sounds like a tough project, I need to do mine as well.

Lol. I can't argue with you there. In fact, part of me wishes I had just done the radiator instead of all the hassle I went through getting the seat cover on last night lol. I'll do a write up soon, but basically they didn't mark which piece was the back and which was the bottom. I had to guess. I started with the back, and it was cake. Proceeded to do the bottom, and couldn't get it to fit no matter what I did. My wife walked by and said "are you sure you have the right piece on this? Sure enough, I had them reversed. Had to undo everything and start over. It went on much easier this time, but now I'm out of hog rings and can't finish the back. I'll get more today. Boy, it sure looks good. Can't wait to get it and my refreshed belts installed today
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[catch2otwo]

Originally Posted by Turbolark

I run no antifreeze in any of my cars. I use water with WaterWetter only. The key is the Water Wetter. It has the corrosion protection and lubricants needed that straight water wont give you. BUT..I live in So California, so I don't need to be concerned with freezing.

I run water wetter in my track bikes. Keep in mind, water wetter type products mixed with distilled water will need much more frequent change outs then antifreeze. For a street vehicle, it ends up costing more then just going antifreeze.