Coolant. Would you like that straight sir or with water?

**Oakie** · 1st July 2007, 13:17

Just noticed that the coolant reservoir on Mrs Oakie's Eliminator is close to empty so I thought I'd top it up. Questions:

1) Are you best just to use coolant straight or should it be diluted with water? Instructions on the container says dilute 1:1 or 2:1 but people I've spoken to say just to throw it in straight.

2) If you should use water, where do you get distilled or 'soft' water ... and would the sort of water you get from a 'Pump' water bottle be adequate?

**Edbear** · 1st July 2007, 13:22

Personally I buy the coolant and mix as per intructions to use as a top-up. Straight water will dilute the mix in the radiator gradually. I use filtered water from the kitchen filter. Should be okay unless anyone can get all scientific otherwise?

**erik** · 1st July 2007, 13:26

As far as I know:

You're best to dilute it 50:50 with water. If 'Pump' is distilled water, then it should be fine. I got a 10L bottle of Puredew distilled water from the supermarket that I use.

Was any reasoning given for not diluting the coolant?

**Edbear** · 1st July 2007, 14:16

Ummm! Maybe in a race motor where you don't expect the same mileage, but coolant's purpose is not just as an anti-freeze, but very important to stop corrosion. You're engine will eat itself from the inside out without it and the first you will know is when it overheats, and/or loses coolant.

**breakaway** · 1st July 2007, 14:17

Yes, Pump should do the trick. Just buy one of those $5 10L containers of water from Foodtown or whatever. The reason for this is because normal tap water will have hard water minerals and shit that will create some nasty build-ups in the cooling system, which is, well, bad.

**Oakie** · 1st July 2007, 14:20

Originally Posted by erik

Was any reasoning given for not diluting the coolant?

No reason. I think the two mixes were 1:2 for down to -16 degrees (air temp) and 1:1 down to -37 degrees. I guess straight coolant mix allows you to ride your bike in the Antarctic but then you're going to be worried about your oil freeezing and your petrol turning to jelly.

**robertydog** · 1st July 2007, 15:13

You mix 50/50 as that will increase your boiling point by 9 degrees. You can go to Super Cheap and buy Demineralised water for radiators and batteries for about $5.00 for 5 Litre Container.

**Oakie** · 1st July 2007, 15:44

Originally Posted by robertydog

You can go to Super Cheap and buy Demineralised water for radiators and batteries for about $5.00 for 5 Litre Container.

Thanks. I've already mixed and applied 350ml coolant with 350ml water from a 'Pump' bottle but I'll remember the Super Cheap for next time. Hell, I might even go and get some now. Any excuse for a ride.

**laRIKin** · 1st July 2007, 17:47

From what I have been told you run a 40% to 50% antifreeze.
Any more and you are wasting your money as you do not get any extra cooling because it is the water does most of that.
And the antifreeze does just that, stops the water freezing.
So you only need enough to do just that.

Unless you are using some other product's I would stay with that mix or as they recommend.
After all they know their product better that us.

**kiwi cowboy** · 1st July 2007, 20:53

says in my manual use boiled or distilled water if you cant get soft water

**McJim** · 1st July 2007, 21:11

Distilled is good but boiled? That will INCREASE the concentration of the unwanted minerals - good for killing bacteria but then an internal combustion engine is a/ Not susceptible to bacterial infections and b/ will kill the wee bastards the first time it gets to operating temperature.

**Sidewinder** · 1st July 2007, 21:40

nice rabbit

straight is the best way.

would you water down a shoot? no you wouldnt.

but if the container says to mix with water do so but if not just put it in striaght

**vifferman** · 2nd July 2007, 09:04

Originally Posted by Tom

i just use normal tap water or failing that rain water in a puddle (relativly clean) i dont recommend useing salt water

Ahh... dude - you do realise we're a maritime country, surrounded by sea, right? Rainwater here is full of salts, pollen, dust, etc. It's nowhere near as clean as you might think. You're better off using tap water if you can't get distilled water.
Actually, distilled water from the supermarket is cheaper than fancy bottled drinking water. I buy the 10L containers and use it in the iron, for topping up radiators/batteries,

**avgas** · 2nd July 2007, 09:17

Originally Posted by erik

Was any reasoning given for not diluting the coolant?

I heard that Oxidising on 25 y/o cast alloys motors is bad. Also on some of the seals on some old bikes......misting and crap occurs inside

**bimotabob** · 3rd July 2007, 09:29

Hi

Don't run 100% E/Glycol antifreeze - but it's better than none.
It's abillity to alter waters freezing point diminishes once you get over about 60%.
The reason they say max use is 50-60% is because of this. It will freeze a number of degrees earlier when put in with no water.
After all wouldn't they want you to use more of there product if it was ok to?

Not all coolant may work this way though but most common ones use E/glycol.

(Coolant was part of my studies years ago)

Cheers
BB