|
|
09-27-2011, 01:38 PM | #1 |
First Lieutenant
38
Rep 330
Posts |
Replace coolant with just H2O?
I'm having some overheating problems at the track since I reprogrammed the ECU and was considering draining the radiator and replacing it with just water, water wetter, and the minimum amount of coolant necessary to keep it from freezing. I live in Houston TX and the coldest we EVER see is about 20F.
I have a few questions: 1. Has anyone here done this and if so did it make a difference on car temperatures? 2. Do I need to use BMW anti-freeze or will any brand work. 3. Any guesses on how much coolant to use, I know as little as possible but I don't want my engine to freeze on the 4-5 sub freezing days a year we get here in the south. Thanks |
09-27-2011, 01:40 PM | #2 |
Banned
867
Rep 6,248
Posts |
That's not a good idea.
Someone can correct me, but coolant is not just added to water to keep from freezing, but I think it changes the boiling point too. You don't want all your H20 to boil off. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 02:12 PM | #3 |
Captain
80
Rep 961
Posts |
What Sam said!
Anti-freeze is also anti-boil, so you need it to keep from boiling over. BMW's recommended blend is 50:50, which according to Wikipedia, gives you a boiling point around 269F with a 15# radiator cap. That will drop somewhat, perhaps to 260F or even lower if you reduce the antifreeze to 30%. Reducing the glycol content from 50% to 30% increases the specific heat (heat carrying capacity of the fluid) by about 10% at the same time. The risk is that if that increase in specific heat isn't enough to actually solve the overtemp problem, the lower glycol mixture might boil before the ECU intervenes and cuts the power. Glycol and water blown all over the track won't make your fellow drivers happy, and could result in serious damage to your car or others. Just get a bigger radiator and/or a bigger oil cooler. That's more likely to work the way you want it. As for which one to use, just use the BMW coolant - it's not particularly expensive and it's compatible with the metals and plastics in the engine and cooling system. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 02:36 PM | #5 |
Major General
815
Rep 7,887
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 02:38 PM | #6 |
Brigadier General
125
Rep 4,971
Posts |
I recently just put some Engine Ice in - I see a pretty big difference in operating temps on and off the track. (I am supercharged) Havent had any issues and you wont have to worry about freezing.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 05:04 PM | #7 | |
Colonel
87
Rep 2,464
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
2011 MINI Cooper S
previous cars: E92 M3, Z4MC, Z4 Roadster, E36 328 Sedan |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 05:13 PM | #8 |
Brigadier General
125
Rep 4,971
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 05:20 PM | #9 | |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
8131
Rep 18,816
Posts
Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA
|
Quote:
Lots of track rats run 100% water with Redline Water Wetter added for maximum cooling, but its not recommended for everyday use as this removes the anti corrosion capabilities antifreeze/coolant offers. OP: You can try adding a bottle to see if this helps in your case.
__________________
Tom G. | european auto source (eas)
email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 05:36 PM | #10 |
Brigadier General
2753
Rep 4,445
Posts |
Use distilled water (not tap water) if you go that route. I used to run straight distilled water wetter in my 335i for track days (huge heat issues). I wouldn't do it to my M3.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 05:42 PM | #11 |
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
8131
Rep 18,816
Posts
Drives: BMW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim, CA
|
Very good point!
__________________
Tom G. | european auto source (eas)
email: tom@europeanautosource.com · web: https://europeanautosource.com· tel 866.669.0705 · ca: 714.369.8524 x22 GET DAILY UPDATES ON OUR BLOG · FACEBOOK · YOUTUBE · FLICKR · INSTAGRAM |
Appreciate
0
|
09-27-2011, 11:03 PM | #12 |
Moderator
673
Rep 4,737
Posts |
Here's an article I found which offers a counter viewpoint...
It is true the antifreeze will increase the boiling point of the coolant, however, other properties which are critical to efficient cooling are negatively impacted, such as: 50/50 mix vs. 100% water at 1 atm Specific heat: -19% (amount of heat a unit of fluid can hold) Latent heat of evaporation: -31% (energy it takes to evaporate a liquid) Thermal conductivity: -32% (how quickly heat transfers) For these negative impacts you would get a +7% increase in boiling point (100C to 107C). Therefore the author argues that 100% water will be far more efficient as a coolant despite having a slightly lower boiling point. http://www.rehermorrison.com/blog/?p=228 |
Appreciate
0
|
09-28-2011, 11:19 AM | #13 | |
chris
278
Rep 12,144
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2011, 12:30 AM | #15 |
8300
19
Rep 573
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2011, 06:55 AM | #16 | |
Major
70
Rep 1,339
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2011, 11:38 AM | #17 | |
Captain
80
Rep 961
Posts |
Quote:
I think Mastek actually meant that race cars run without glycol coolant additives (antifreeze). If they ran with no coolant at all, the only cars that would even make it off the grid would be air cooled Porsche's. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-29-2011, 05:02 PM | #18 | |
Major
70
Rep 1,339
Posts |
Quote:
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2011, 07:29 AM | #19 | |
New Member
6
Rep 7
Posts |
Quote:
I am the technical manager at Prestone coolants. Using str8 water is really bad for your cooling system! Antifreeze/Coolant has more purpose than just freeze protection. The additives in AF prevent corrosion in the cooling sustem. Water is very conductive and running str8 water in your system can turn it into a giant battery and cause what is called electrolysis. Your cooling system will corrode from the inside out. You also need lubrication for your water pump seals. You can use Prestone extended life coolant in your BMW. Use a minimum of 35% coolant concentrate and distilled or deionized water along with the water wetter. Carefully clean the radiator external fins using cleaners marketed for cleaning a/c condensors. Removing dirt build up on the radiator fins can reduce cooling system temps considerably. Jay Buckley Prestone Coolants jay.buckley@framgrp.com |
|
Appreciate
1
Ashley_rj31.00 |
09-30-2011, 08:24 AM | #20 | |
First Lieutenant
38
Rep 330
Posts |
Wow, that was very helpful. Thanks!
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|