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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Jasikasisback on 15 June 2012, 23:43

Title: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: Jasikasisback on 15 June 2012, 23:43

how's about it folks...would like to know what you think...just wondering if i can get away with just h20 over the summer...

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: itavaltalainen on 15 June 2012, 23:55

No it is not. Coolant is not only antifreeze, it also increases boiling point and has anti corrosion additives.

Running on poor water is a BAD idea, use at least 1/3 coolant concentrate! Coolant is really not that expensive......

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: Bandit127 on 16 June 2012, 03:24

Took me ages to work out why my old mini used to eat water pumps. It was because I ran it on water during the summer - and anti freeze lubricates the bearing.

Having learned my lesson the hard way my cars have had a 50% mix all year round since.

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: search on 16 June 2012, 09:51

should only ever use water if its life or death lol. aka broke down to get you to somewhere.

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: CJA321 on 16 June 2012, 09:56

You can get Tesco value AF im sure....... That makes zero sence, ur causing urself even more hastle for the winter when you have to change it  :grin:

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: Jasikasisback on 16 June 2012, 11:02

I thought that only g12 type of coolant was reccomended. Didn't know tesco made compatible coolant.

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: itavaltalainen on 16 June 2012, 11:22

5L of G12++ compatible coolant only cost 15-20£ so just put in a 50/50 mixture - will save you trouble of changing again in winter.

If that's too much money then get a bike ;)

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: leigh_harty on 16 June 2012, 13:06

Plus water will leave the insides rusty

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: Jasikasisback on 16 June 2012, 18:38

So this g12 is better than standard ethylene glycol? What makes it better?

Title: Re: is water ok as coolant for summer driving???
Post by: itavaltalainen on 16 June 2012, 18:46

G12++ (G12 is obsolete and has been for a while already - as it is not compatible with G11!) is also ethyl glycol based but has more anti corrosion additives (like sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite etc) that prevent rust and chalk which allows for 5 year drain intervals rather than 2 years. Due to the increased amount of those additional additives it's also less corrosive to aluminium (the stuff your cylinder head is made of).