[JSH]

I've been using some real junk for my coolant so I just changed it over to AC Delco Dex Cool, but what I'm wondering is does anybody think there's a real difference between coolants? A really bad one versus a really good one kind of thing

[SJFGTO]

What is a really “bad” or “junk” coolant? How do you quantify that? It either is approved by GM for your engine or it isn’t.

[Megahurtz]

The ratio of water to coolant would likely have a greater effect vs the quality. Down here in FL we can run 70% water without issue.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Megahurtz

The ratio of water to coolant would likely have a greater effect vs the quality. Down here in FL we can run 70% water without issue.

The car is garaged and never parked outside. I run distilled water and water wetter at 80/20 in my intercooler, so why not run the same as thengine water/coolant mix?

[Megahurtz]

Originally Posted by JSH

The car is garaged and never parked outside. I run distilled water and water wetter at 80/20 in my intercooler, so why not run the same as thengine water/coolant mix?

I agree, why not? If you don't really need to worry about freezing temps then you only need to worry about keeping enough coolant in the system to avoid boiling the coolant/water and corrosion.

I usually do 70/30 for a street car. I think I saw a scientific paper that showed 70/30 was a nice balance between loss of anti freezing/boiling while gaining heat transfer efficiency. But it was a long time ago and only 70/30 stuck in my head lol.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Megahurtz

I agree, why not? If you don't really need to worry about freezing temps then you only need to worry about keeping enough coolant in the system to avoid boiling the coolant/water and corrosion.

I usually do 70/30 for a street car. I think I saw a scientific paper that showed 70/30 was a nice balance between loss of anti freezing/boiling while gaining heat transfer efficiency. But it was a long time ago and only 70/30 stuck in my head lol.

Creating a 70/30 mixture of water and ethylene glycol, the boiling point rises to 235°F (113°C) and the freezing point lowers to -67°F (-55°C). It hasn't been -67 here since the last ice age

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by JSH

Creating a 30/70 mixture of water and ethylene glycol, the boiling point rises to 235°F (113°C) and the freezing point lowers to -67°F (-55°C). It hasn't been -67 here since the last ice age

He said 70/30 lol… big difference. So 70% water and 30% glycol.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

He said 70/30 lol… big difference. So 70% water and 30% glycol.

Yeah, I know that. It's a typo.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by SJFGTO

What is a really “bad” or “junk” coolant? How do you quantify that? It either is approved by GM for your engine or it isn’t.

That's my question: How do you?

[JSH]

Looking at Water Wetter's technical info sheet, they would recommend one or two bottles of WW and only distilled water in our engine coolant system if it's not in any danger of freezing. That mix runs at ~25 degrees lower than 50/50. 33% glycol will take you down to 0F. Does anyone leave the ZL1 out at 0F?