Author Topic: 100% water in cooling system - Okay? (Read 3255 times)

n2motorsports · « **on:** November 02, 2008, 04:58:08 PM »

Swapped out new water pump and currently running 100% water til i get time next week to flush and replace with anti-freeze. Any known problems with this? just a temp fix for now, i'll do about 40mile/day x 6 days...temps around 70ish.

thanks.

xwill112x · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2008, 05:27:49 PM »

as long as it doesnt freeze, your good.

thats the only thing you have to worry about

tjts1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2008, 05:41:29 PM »

Don't do it. Coolant doesn't just keep prevent the water from
freezing, it also prevents it from boiling. Here in California I use at least 1/3 coolant in the mix permanently. If the water boils over you'll be lookng fun steam cloud and a busted radiator from the pressure.

xwill112x · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2008, 05:46:10 PM »

well ive ran 100% water in my ford 2.3 mustang... never bothered anything...

Rogan · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2008, 07:35:21 PM »

coolant does raise the boiling temp, as well as aid in heat transfer, as it reduces the surface tension of plain water. But I do agree, it shouldn't affect anything. Drag cars can't run antifreeze, and I know first hand that their water temps go up and quick.. of course that isn't a sustained temp, but still. I think you'll be fine for the short duration, though.

Cristian G in Oz · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2008, 08:12:34 PM »

something else to consider is the corrosion preventatives in Coolant.

BMW alloy bits a notorious for corrosion.
If your running straight water temporarily there should be minimal problems, long term replace it with collant.
The best one for our engines is the BMW one of course, but it's not that expensive.

crazzy_hippo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2008, 12:59:07 AM »

The only issue is rust and corrosion. Coolant additives also helps to prevent rust and corrosion from forming.

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2008, 09:19:46 AM »

Coolant also has lubrication properties... water does not.

If you used straight tap water, I'd drain it as soon as you can, as regular tap water contains TONS of minerals which can deteriorate the internal passages of your engine block, head, water pump, radiator, heater core, etc. If you are going to use any type of water, use only distilled water in your coolant system.

You can also run a 70% (water) & 30% (coolant) mix if you want your temps to stay a little lower. This will still be a very safe mixture for areas of the country where possible freezing occurs during the winter months.