Car Coolant in w/c setup?

[Quattro]

I read the additive sticky and it didn't mention anything to do with automotive coolant.

I'm at work now and my parts manager said I could have a bottle of engine coolant if I want, it's the pink stuff most cars in the VW Group use.

Is this safe and okay, I've got a litre of the stuff I don't imagine I'll need much of the stuff. Also going to try and find some hose clips and anything else I can harvest from parts.

[Darksyne]

Here's a good thread I came across while searching for the same thing :thup:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=311338

[Quattro]

Thanks for the link!

But they seem to be discussing anti-freeze, which you mix with water to stop the windscreen (windshield) sprayer jets from getting frozen. I'm talking about the stuff you run through the cars radiator. It's bright pink, some manufacutures use blue stuff.

If I name the main ingredient would it help? I can go and grab a bottle.

[hawtrawkr]

If I name the main ingredient would it help? I can go and grab a bottle.


yes it would help out quite a bit

[Quattro]

Ethylene Glycol is what it contains. It says prevents corrosion to alluminum and ferous (spelling?) metals. Seems to do what I want it to do, I just want to make sure it will improve temps aswell as prevent corrosion.

Also, is de-ionised water the same as distilled as there are a few bottles of that floating around in parts department...

[nikhsub1]

Ethylene Glycol is what it contains. It says prevents corrosion to alluminum and ferous (spelling?) metals. Seems to do what I want it to do, I just want to make sure it will improve temps aswell as prevent corrosion.

Also, is de-ionised water the same as distilled as there are a few bottles of that floating around in parts department...
Yes that is good old anti-freeze. Depending on the metals in your loop, I'd use 10% (all copper/brass) to 25% (if mixing aluminum/copper). De-ionised water is similar to distilled, but de-ionized is free of ions where distilled is not, it is just free of minerals. Either will be fine, but if I had my choice I'd use the distilled over the de-ionized water.

[sPaNk]

Yes that is good old anti-freeze. Depending on the metals in your loop, I'd use 10% (all copper/brass) to 25% (if mixing aluminum/copper). De-ionised water is similar to distilled, but de-ionized is free of ions where distilled is not, it is just free of minerals. Either will be fine, but if I had my choice I'd use the distilled over the de-ionized water.

I read somewhere that distilled is better than de-ionized because of the fact the de-ionized water is missing its Ions, it wants to naturally re-ionize itself, and it does this when in contact with the metal parts of your WC setup.

Is this true?

sPaNk

[Quattro]

It depends on the charge I think, if it is positively charged or not... I think..
I'll have to check with my resident science guy...

/me phones mate Steve

[nikhsub1]

I read somewhere that distilled is better than de-ionized because of the fact the de-ionized water is missing its Ions, it wants to naturally re-ionize itself, and it does this when in contact with the metal parts of your WC setup.

Is this true?

sPaNk
Yes this is true, but it is so minimal anyway, meaning it doesnt really damage anything in the loop, it is just a bit more harsh than distilled.

[Quattro]

So in my setup as it is all brass and copper, my cpu block has a lucite (spelling?) top on it... I should be using 10%, which just to be certain for every 90ml of water add 10ml of this stuff? I don't want to do anything crazy, and this stuff will protect my hardware, I assume it will work with de-ionised water well.

[Quattro]

Anyone else want to chip in their experiences with automotive coolant?

[jamesavery22]

water wetter would be good to search for, although the search function isnt working at all for me right now =\
pure h2o is ideal for us. Nothing that wouldnt kill us (mercury) transfers heat better. But we use additives to prevent stuff. Im sure you've heard this before. Theres been a good amount of threads where people say "I put X fluid in my loop and it dropped 10c!" Those would be a good read also.

[JDXNC]

When people speak of Anti-freeze, they are talking coolant. Windshield washer is not usually refered to as anti-freeze.

I use about a 4:1 ratio of water to Prestone anti-freeze and its been the same liquid in my loop for well over 2 years now, no growth, corrosion or damage to my system in all that time.

[rogerdugans]

Anti-freeze is a darn good additive, and I have used it many times.

My normal pc coolant mixture is
distilled water
Water Wetter (a VERY small amount)
Anti-freeze (a VERY small amount.)

I have had no problems with corrosion or growth with that simple mix.

I use more anti-freeze in two situations:
1) out of WW- I add enough to keep the amount of distilled water about the same.
2) When I expect very cold temps in a part of the loop. I have messed with chillers a bit and also had radiators outside the house in winter.

Anti-freeze actually makes temps slightly worse and the more you add the less efficient your cooling system will be, so be sparing.
UNLESS!-
Anti-freeze is MANDATORY for low-temps! I lost a cpu and mobo by being a bit on the cheap side with it once....better to gain a degree or two on the cpu temp than to lose a system due to a frozen radiator.