Why 100% Antifreeze is not good

[shogun]

100% Antifreeze is not good because

1. Cost

2. 100% ethylene glycol has a freezing point about the same as 25% solution.

3. 60% is the best WRT freezing point, IIRC BMW specify 50%.

http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/680.html

[winfred]

it also makes a horible crusty mess from the aluminum in the motor

[Kalevera]

It's also not as good at transferring heat as distilled water is (which is the entire reason you have coolant in the car, anyway -- right?)

[632 Regal]

I just like the blue look.
It's also not as good at transferring heat as distilled water is (which is the entire reason you have coolant in the car, anyway -- right?)

[pundit]

I use 50% distilled water and 50% BMW blue coolant.

[632 Regal]

Ditto, i have no worries, no comparisons, no debates and 6 bucks less every 2 years. I can deal with it.

[tibbe]

Thanks a lot, nice page.
Just like to add a remark for those living in a bit chillier climate.
If you discover that you don't have enough ethylene glycol in you cooler, after refill of glyckol run the engine warm at stand still until the thermostat opens to mix in the added glycol in you cooling system.
Else you can still have lover % in the radiator and while driving the radiator can frezze. Same goes for the interior heater, put it to high temp as you are running the engine warm after the refill of glycol.

Greatings from Lulea Sweden ( currently -21C and 30cm snow ).

[Javier]

Heat capacity vs Concentration graphic, in order to evaluate also the ability to extract heat from the engine, which is the main purpose of the mixture. As far as I understand, the Ethylene Glycol only diminishes the heat transfer capability of the system, so the less coolant the better for the engine. May be that is the reason almost every body suggest 50% mixture. For tropical or hot countries, I bet the optimum mixture is lees than 50% glycol. What is clear is that there is never a reason to go over 60%.

Javier