Car Coolant Question - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Finner · 12-20-2008, 08:19 AM

Hey Guys,

Quick question for you; is probably super easy to answer.

Last time I was at mr.lube they told me I should get a coolant change because my coolant is only rated from -30 to -35 degrees, and it should be from -35 to -40 degrees.

Seeing as how I live in edmonton and the temperatures on monday are forecasted high of -30 low of -39 am I going to be in trouble? When i'm at home, I park outside however I have a block heater which I plug in, which if i understand correctly keeps your coolant warm. Its work I'm worried about.

If my coolant is only "Rated" to minus 30/35 will my block freeze if its not plugged in and it goes past that? And how do i fix it? Can i just buy unmixed coolant and dump it in to lower the temperature it's good to? Or if I start my car every couple hours while i'm at work will that keep it warm enough as well?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

ricosuave · 12-20-2008, 08:22 AM

about the temps: wind chill will have no effect on the coolant (or anything except living organic matter), you only need concern yourself about the ambient temp.

i think that if you have a block heater and/or you run it every so often, you should be OK

Higher water mix in the coolant is better for hot areas as it disipates heat a bit better...Higher antifreeze is less likely to, well, freeze. you probably have a 50/50 mix, and what I would do is draim about 500ml out of the system and replace with pure coolant. then drive to a parts store or princess auto or something and buy a coolant tester. **LET THE CAR COOL** and then remove the cap slowly and test the fluid. If its still not that you would like, repeat the process, but I wouldnt add more than 1L of pure coolant - you probably dont need to. Also remember that when spring rolls around, you will want to dilute it back so that it cools the engine on hot days.

ricosuave · 12-20-2008, 08:23 AM

http://www.peakantifreeze.com/images/art_protection_chart.jpg

oh, and be sure to use distilled water whenever mixing, not tap water if you can help it.

Finner · 12-20-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosuave

not sure what you meant about the temps, but wind chill will have no effect on the coolant, you only need concern yourself about the ambient temp.

i think that if you have a block heater and/or you run it every so often, you should be OK

Higher water mix in the coolant is better for hot areas as it disipates heat a bit better...Higher antifreeze is less likely to, well, freeze. you probably have a 50/50 mix, and what I would do is draim about 500ml out of the system and replace with pure coolant. then drive to a parts store or princess auto or something and buy a coolant tester. **LET THE CAR COOL** and then remove the cap slowly and test the fluid. If its still not that you would like, repeat the process, but I wouldnt add more than 1L of pure coolant - you probably dont need to. Also remember that when spring rolls around, you will want to dilute it back so that it cools the engine on hot days.

Yes I meant anti-freeze. I think Mr.Lube meant that my block will freeze at those temperatures because i have to much water to antifreeze in my "mix."

Would I have to drain the current antifreeze mix at all? Or can i just add pure antifreeze to the current mixture?

ricosuave · 12-20-2008, 08:38 AM

^ no, i meant that I don't know if you meant that the temp was -30 with a windchill to -39. the car will only 'feel' -30.

coolant = antifreeze in my comments

your coolant system probably has a max mark, so that's why I stated that you would probably have to drain some (use a turkey baster in the overflow container) if you have to , but if you have space for adding, then by all means. be sure to check your owners manual for that kind of into.

what kind of car?

brownie · 12-20-2008, 08:53 AM

If you are going to drain some out there should be a drain plug at the bottom or your radiator. How much were they going to charge you to flush it and replace it? I myself think you are fine if your plugging it in. You can try draining some out and adding new coolant. You can also buy the same tester that they probably used for about 10 or 15 bucks which will tell you what your coolant is rated for.

Finner · 12-20-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosuave

^ no, i meant that I don't know if you meant that the temp was -30 with a windchill to -39. the car will only 'feel' -30.

coolant = antifreeze in my comments

your coolant system probably has a max mark, so that's why I stated that you would probably have to drain some (use a turkey baster in the overflow container) if you have to , but if you have space for adding, then by all means. be sure to check your owners manual for that kind of into.

what kind of car?

Its -30 to -39 without windchill. It's an 98' Acura 1.6 EL. I'm terrible with cars. So pop open the radiator cap, look for a maximum line, and if there is room I can dump pure antifreeze into the system. Otherwise use a turkeybaster to remove some to make room?

burn_this_city · 12-20-2008, 08:53 AM

If you can just add some straight unmixed antifreeze into your overflow. Just dont open the cap when the vehicle is hot.. Drive around a bit and the straight antifreeze will mix with the rest of the coolant and raise the temperature threshold.

burn_this_city · 12-20-2008, 08:54 AM

Even if you add too much, the car should purge the surplus coolant out an overflow line when you're driving.

Finner · 12-20-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie

If you are going to drain some out there should be a drain plug at the bottom or your radiator. How much were they going to charge you to flush it and replace it? I myself think you are fine if your plugging it in. You can try draining some out and adding new coolant. You can also buy the same tester that they probably used for about 10 or 15 bucks which will tell you what your coolant is rated for.

They wanted $100 to drain and replace the coolant. The worst part is if I do any of this myself, it will have to be done outside in -27 weather today.

burn_this_city · 12-20-2008, 08:56 AM

$100 aint that bad..

It takes about 30 minutes.. The material cost is about $25..

Finner · 12-20-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Even if you add too much, the car should purge the surplus coolant out an overflow line when you're driving.

Really? I can just dump some in and it will take care of itself? That seems to easy...

brownie · 12-20-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finner

They wanted $100 to drain and replace the coolant. The worst part is if I do any of this myself, it will have to be done outside in -27 weather today.

Yeah I hear ya.......I would just add some to the reservoir.

Finner · 12-20-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

$100 aint that bad..

It takes about 30 minutes.. The material cost is about $25..

Hmmm...i guess I could take it in tomorrow. I think they are open 10-5.

ricosuave · 12-20-2008, 08:58 AM

but the coolant flush was only recommended because of the temperature strength, not because it was scaly or whatever.

when was the last time the system was flushed?

I dont think that you need to have it flushed, but rather just adding some straight coolant to bring the strength up.

ps, any radiator shop or garage in town should be able to flush it for you pretty easy, if you decide to go that route. you dont have to go to a dealer for it (if thats what you had in mind)

burn_this_city · 12-20-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finner

Really? I can just dump some in and it will take care of itself? That seems to easy...

it really is that easy.. If you add about a liter of straight antifreeze it will take care of the problem. Just drive around for 30 mins to mix it.

ricosuave · 12-20-2008, 09:03 AM

yes, but you also dont want to overfill the system, especially since it is pressurized...

burn_this_city · 12-20-2008, 09:04 AM

It will purge just fine.. Ive never seen a rad explode for being too full.

Finner · 12-20-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricosuave

but the coolant flush was only recommended because of the temperature strength, not because it was scaly or whatever. when was the last time the system was flushed?

I dont think that you need to have it flushed, but rather just adding some straight coolant to bring the strength up.

ps, any radiator shop or garage in town should be able to do this for you pretty easy, if you decide to go that route. you dont have to go to a dealer for it (if thats what you had in mind)

Coolant was last replaced a couple years ago. However i don't drive my car much (ie. Its a '98 and it has 110000 km on it). They said it was due to the temperature strength, not because the fluid itself was bad.

ricosuave · 12-20-2008, 09:09 AM

so there you go, sounds like all you really need to do is add some straight coolant.

BTC, I didnt mean to imply that the rad would explode, but on the other hand you dont want a system that is right full of hot pressurized coolant and the overflow is full too. that's just asking for trouble - it may very well find a path and leak or burst somewhere. its very easy to drain some mix and add the straight coolant.