Is it possible to add water to the antifreeze? Antifreeze and water freezing point

Any internal combustion engine generates a lot of heat during operation. So that it does not boil, there is a cooling system. Antifreeze, which it contains, is needed to cool the unit and the head of the engine. In addition, in winter, the heat that is diverted to the coolant is sent to the radiator of the stove - the interior becomes warm. But let's imagine the situation: one morning you decided to check the coolant level in the expansion tank and saw that it was at a minimum. Is it possible to add water to the antifreeze? Let's answer this question.

Structure of antifreeze

This coolant consists of two main components. This is ethylene glycol (63 percent) and water (35 percent). The rest is different additives - corrosion inhibitors. Due to this composition, the antifreeze does not boil at a temperature of 100 or more degrees, nor does it freeze at "zero".

The basis of ethylene glycol is a glycol-water mixture. Its ability depends on its ability not to freeze at a negative temperature. Also, the glycol-water mixture affects the viscosity of the antifreeze and its specific heat. However, its aqueous solution has an aggressive effect on the metallic elements of the cooling system. Therefore, the composition necessarily includes additives that prevent their corrosion.

When can I mix antifreeze?

The cooling system should work on a normal coolant volume. Its drawback can lead to overheating of the motor. But is it possible to add water to the antifreeze? The liquid itself is already a concentrate of ethylene glycol and water. But not a simple "from the tap," but distilled. These are two different things. By the way, foreign producers make pure ethylene glycol, in which the percentage of impurities (water and additives) does not exceed more than 5 percent. The proportion of mixing of these components depends on the conditions in which the car is operated. For example, for medium latitudes, this ratio is 1 to 1. If the concentrate was previously poured into the system, 200 ml of distilled water can be diluted with an insufficient level. With this ratio, the properties of the antifreeze and its freezing point are not violated.

Why only distilled?

Please note that tap water is not suitable for diluting the coolant. It contains a large percentage of impurities, which not only worsen the properties of antifreeze to remove heat. The wear of the nozzles also increases, corrosion of metal elements occurs, salts are clogged in the radiator. Over time, it will simply clog in one of the channels and cause the motor to overheat.

To avoid problems with the engine, do not save on distilled water. But if you really need to go, and at hand there is neither one nor the other, you can add water, but only boiled. And, after such a mixing, the antifreeze is completely drained and a new one is poured. You can not go long on the water. As a new liquid, you can use antifreeze red. Its price is about 300 rubles for a five-liter canister. For a car it is quite enough. But for minibuses and trucks like "GAZelle" you need 10 liters. But still this price is not comparable with the repair of the motor, which you need in case of overheating.

Is it possible to add water to the antifreeze in the summer?

If before you did not dilute the concentrate, then this is completely safe. Some motorists use it as the main coolant. But this is only until the first frosts. Before the onset of cold weather, prevent this system. If there was a share of distilled water (or it was used as the main, it does not matter), merge it and fill in a new, high-grade antifreeze red. The price of error and laziness is the dead tank and the replacement of all the nozzles.

Winter time

During this period, it is strictly forbidden to add water, even in small amounts. As a result, starting the motor at -5 or more degrees will be difficult. Frozen water due to expansion can rupture the radiator, nipples and tank. According to the requirements, the freezing point of the antifreeze should be at least -25 degrees. With each added milliliter of water, this indicator decreases.

What should I do when I repair the system?

If you are running an antifreeze, check the tightness of the connection of the nozzles. They should be soft and tightly seated on the holes. If the rubber is stiff, antifreeze flows through its microcracks. The radiator breakdown is also possible. In any operation with the replacement of SOD nodes, whether it is a thermostat, hoses or a branch pipe, the liquid is preliminarily drained into a previously prepared clean container.

But what if, after repair, the level in the tank fell? Is it possible to add water to the antifreeze? If the summer is in the yard, and the system has lost no more than 50 percent of the liquid, then it is possible. But with the onset of cold weather, it is desirable to merge the composition completely and use a full-fledged antifreeze.

How often to change?

As well as oil, antifreeze has its own replacement period. Manufacturers say that the fluid must be changed every 3 years or 75 thousand kilometers of run. During operation, the level of heat transfer of the antifreeze is reduced. It begins to foam and corrode metal parts. If you do not know when the antifreeze was poured into the system, it is very easy to determine its wear. On the inside of the expansion tank, a jelly-like mass forms, at negative temperatures the liquid becomes turbid and precipitates. Also wear can be determined by color. If the antifreeze turns red, this indicates that the corrosion process has started.

Yes, manufacturers paint antifreeze in different shades - red, blue, green. But you will not confuse a dirty liquid. If any of the above symptoms appear, replace the antifreeze immediately. And the water in the new liquid is never refilled. If one canister is missing, buy one more. Let it remain in it you still have 4 liters, but you will have a full concentrate. In addition, the water that is present in it has the property of evaporating. Therefore, the remaining liters will be "topped up".

About flowers

Green and red antifreeze are very popular now. Their price is approximately the same. But there are differences. Green has several components in its composition:

• Organic substances.
• Inorganic.
• Chemical additives. They are borates, phosphates and carboxylic acid.

Plus the use of green antifreeze - a high resistance of the composition to corrosion. The mixture seems to "envelop" the inside of the protective film, preventing the processes harmful to the metal. But here there is a minus.

This film reduces the heat dissipation of the liquid. But this is not harmful to the motor. With proper operation, it is very difficult to boil the engine on green tosol. As for red antifreezes, their composition eliminates the use of inorganic components. There is also a large percentage of carboxylic acid content. It does not form a film inside the system, hence the best heat exchange.

They also have an extended service life. Quality red antifreeze is up to 5 years. However, the mixture has its drawbacks. This is primarily a poor protection of aluminum radiators from scale. But if you have a copper or brass radiator, red antifreeze is the perfect choice for you. It is also sold in 5-liter cans. One of the most popular manufacturers is Felix. Reviews of motorists note a low freezing threshold - to minus 35 degrees Celsius. The liquid does not boil at 110, but still it is not necessary to bring the motor to such a state. This is very harmful for him.

Can I mix different brands of antifreeze?

Do not do this. Manufacturers mix their products in different proportions. Therefore, it is difficult to predict how this or that brand will behave if it is mixed. The liquid can foams and break the expansion tank under pressure. Also note that the composition of the antifreeze is methanol, the boiling point of which is 65 degrees Celsius. The more it is, the faster the engine will boil.

So, we found out whether it is possible to add water to the antifreeze.