Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: water coolant percentages

 

While my email provider (bellsouth) was banned from the list, Rusty wrote:

>I also just found this table:

>% CoolantFreezeBoil

>20%  16 253

>33%  0  256

>40% -12 260

>50% -34 265

>70% -90 277

 

Hmmm. I'm using about 90% coolant / 10% tap water.

 

What are the other flyers using?

 

90% ethylene-glycol (e-g) anti-freeze coolant is probably excessive.  You are giving up a lot of specific heat, and increasing pumping power due to higher viscosity.  Unless you live near the arctic, it is unlikely that you would ever need more than 50% e-g.  I’d also suggest the phosphate-free premium anti-freeze.

 

If you don’t need the high freeze protection, I’d opt for corrosion inhibitors in a solution of maybe 25-30% e-g in water (for some increase in boiling point), and a pressure cap of 22-25 psig.  I think Mopar used to make an inhibitor that included aluminum protection.  Haven’t checked lately.  I’d think the local NAPA store would have something.

 

I have maintained between 30 and 50 % anti-freeze  in my old van (250,000 miles), and when replacing the water pump noted the inside surfaces in the coolant system were spotless – just a slight green tinge.

Al