Water as coolant?
07-09-2011, 03:14 PM
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Mercedes C32 AMG
Water as coolant?
Not so much a problem as just curious. Is anyone else running just distilled water as their coolant? When I purchased my C32 I noticed the car was using water instead of a coolant mix which I thought was a bit odd. The car never overheats and it's been in the high 90's here. Just wondering why someone choose to fill the car with water.
I asked the previous owner and he states the dealer filled it up that way.
Edit:
FIY The car temp is normally around 90 ish if it's hot outside.
I asked the previous owner and he states the dealer filled it up that way.
Edit:
FIY The car temp is normally around 90 ish if it's hot outside.
07-09-2011, 04:00 PM
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2016 Chevrolet SS, 2006 Cadillac STS-V
Water actually works better for cooling, but has no anti-corrosive ability. Coolant also has lubricant in it for the water pump. I would switch it back to a 50/50 mix of coolant and water immediately.
07-09-2011, 08:51 PM
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2003 porsche 996 turbo
coolant isnt for cooling as much as its main purpose is to keep the fluid from freezing. water freezes at 32* and coolant can go as low as 40 below. the coolant also has rust inhibitors and lubricants cant think of a single dealer that would add only water when they have gal jugs or even a drum of coolant at their disposal to add to the bill
07-09-2011, 10:27 PM
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The two main properties of coolant are for corrosion and temperature. Remember water boils and starts to evaporate (and possibly cavitate in your engine) @ 212F, freezes and doesn't move @ 32F (and expand and break stuff), and also has anti-corrosion properties as stated.
It is ok to have less than a 50/50 mix of water and coolant per the MB service manual. There's certain requirements where this is ok, but there is a certain level where they recommend to replace the entire fill. You should never run 100% water.
It is ok to have less than a 50/50 mix of water and coolant per the MB service manual. There's certain requirements where this is ok, but there is a certain level where they recommend to replace the entire fill. You should never run 100% water.
07-09-2011, 10:53 PM
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Yep, get it out of there and put the recommended coolant in. Since you live in SOCAL you don't have to worry about freezing but you need to worry about lubrication and corrosion no matter where you live.
07-10-2011, 12:23 AM
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Mercedes C32 AMG
Got it, I'll change it out. The owner did state that something was added to stop corrosion. He said his Maserati is filled the same way.
When I purchased the car I drove it from Texas to California. I drove it when Texas was having that huge ice storm. Temps where as low as 10 degrees when I was out there. The car had no trouble starting up or running. So there must be something else in the water other than straight water.
Either way I'll have it changed out. Any recommendations on fluid?
When I purchased the car I drove it from Texas to California. I drove it when Texas was having that huge ice storm. Temps where as low as 10 degrees when I was out there. The car had no trouble starting up or running. So there must be something else in the water other than straight water.
Either way I'll have it changed out. Any recommendations on fluid?
07-10-2011, 12:18 PM
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C32/C55 AMG
Check out a thread I made about fluidshttps://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...id-thread.html I think the coolant that we can use is valvoline zerex .g05
