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antifreeze
- Thread starter sp53
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martx-5
Yoda
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I would put antifreeze in them. Having nothing in there exposes all the surfaces to air which will only promote oxidation. Also, antifreeze contains rust inhibitors to further reduce the chances of oxidation.
It only cost a few dollars for the extra protection that antifreeze will give you over leaving the engine dry.
It only cost a few dollars for the extra protection that antifreeze will give you over leaving the engine dry.
AltaKnight
Jedi Knight
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I agree you need something in there.
Those of us living in Canada know all about antifreeze.
Drain whatever is currently in there out using the radiator drain or remove the bottom hose (messy) if no drain/rusted up.
Install a new 50/50 mixture of automotive antifreeze (Prestone is a good one)and water, start her up, burp the heater core if air is trapped by removing the return heater hose in the engine compartment momentarily till fluid comes out (make sure the heater controls are in the on position.
I don't think running straight water as the coolant is a good idea in any climate, the antifreeze has a higher boiling point and lubricates the water pump.
Those of us living in Canada know all about antifreeze.
Drain whatever is currently in there out using the radiator drain or remove the bottom hose (messy) if no drain/rusted up.
Install a new 50/50 mixture of automotive antifreeze (Prestone is a good one)and water, start her up, burp the heater core if air is trapped by removing the return heater hose in the engine compartment momentarily till fluid comes out (make sure the heater controls are in the on position.
I don't think running straight water as the coolant is a good idea in any climate, the antifreeze has a higher boiling point and lubricates the water pump.
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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I agree on the antifreeze, but for the Seattle area you don't need more than about 30% glycol. Even 25% would do, since you are just storing the cars (meaning a partial freeze won't hurt anything).
But be sure you are starting with pure antifreeze, not the 50/50 mix they sometimes sell in stores. Around here at least, the 50/50 mix is usually a ripoff, as you wind up paying several dollars for that half gallon of water.
But be sure you are starting with pure antifreeze, not the 50/50 mix they sometimes sell in stores. Around here at least, the 50/50 mix is usually a ripoff, as you wind up paying several dollars for that half gallon of water.
SkinnedKnuckles
Jedi Trainee
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I agree with all of the above. If you just drain, you don't know if there are any pockets of water left somewhere - like a passage in the head or something. Use distilled water and the appropriate glycol mix for your area.
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From my recent experience, the price difference between the 50/50 "premixed" and straight antifreeze is roughly the same as the cost of distilled water, so....
myspitfire
Jedi Warrior
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<span style="color: #3333FF"> </span> What i'd do AS ABOVE ALSO think about connecting a BLOCK HEATER ON & plug it in.Its kinds like a BATTERY SAVER trickle charger BUT to help the antifreeze do its job & relativly cheap.Ken
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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If that is the case, then by all means go for it.Andrew Mace said:
But I just checked the O'Reilly web site: in my area, Prestone "extended life" is $16/gallon while 50/50 is $13/gallon. So that half gallon of water costs about $5.
Last time I bought RO filtered water in a store, it cost $.30/gallon (but I had to bring my own jug :g)
Attachments
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There has been some discussion of problems with both pre-mix and extended life antifreeze in old cars although I don't have any experience myself. I like the old style green ethylene glycol probably because I tend toward the old style everything. It is still available though hard to find and priced about the same as extended life, if you can find it. Tom
TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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I'd say it makes finding either distilled or RO filtered water worth it. Almost any grocery store will have it (for use in steam irons), typically for under $1/gallon.tdskip said:
Or you could collect rainwater as the book suggests, but around here that might take a looong time!
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<span style="font-style: italic">For maximum temperature reductions use the most water and the least antifreeze possible to prevent freezing in your climate.</span> The quote is from the Water Wetter Technical Information Sheet.