I have a '99 Pontiac Sunfire Convertible. The Antifreeze is low and the light has been on for a week....Pay day is next Friday......is it ok to put in some water for the time being until I can get some antifreeze? The car is running fine and not overheating. Please help :)
2006-10-12 10:33:47 · 19 answers · asked by rocky4433 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Water will work as a temporary fix. However you need to remember:
1) Water will freeze and crack your radiator (or worse). If you live in a colder climate you need to be darned sure to get antifreeze in there before the cold weather hits.
2) If, like me, you live in a place where hard freezes are rare, know that if you leave the water in there for a long time you will eventually have a problem with rust. Antifreeze helps prevent this as well.
2006-10-12 10:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
YES you can but only in the summer and you may want to put a 1/4 of antifrezze and 3/4 water to help keep coolant in th engine. In the winter you want to use antifreeze or you will freeze up your engine in the winter use 1/2 and 1/2
2006-10-12 10:36:30 · answer #2 · answered by mrs.sullivan_05 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the time being, yes, assuming that it isn't going to get below freezing in your area. Do not drive it around as much either, because with just water and a tiny bit of ethynol glycol (antifreeze), your car is more apt to overheat without the proposed 50/50 mixture.
2006-10-12 10:36:15 · answer #3 · answered by ixion151 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are always supposed to put in a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water in your car anyway. You can put in some water in it for now, but if it is at least at the min line then you're ok.
2006-10-12 10:37:04 · answer #4 · answered by camus0281 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't. If you use water, you should typically use distilled water. But if you have the option, go out and get some antifreeze. Depends on the climate you live in, too. If it hovers or falls below freezing in the winter, I wouldn't recommend pouring in water...
2006-10-12 10:36:07 · answer #5 · answered by isong 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep, you can dilute antifreeze up to 50% with water without much worry.
just remember that winter is coming and you won't want water in there as it will freeze and risk cracking the block.
2006-10-12 10:36:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add the water. Buy a simple coolant tester for $1.99. After you get paid, add some antifreeze if your mixture is too weak.
2006-10-12 10:41:47 · answer #7 · answered by united9198 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is adequate of a coolant to apply while you at the instant are not working the engine long. The white smoke you're seeing may be from condensed water vapor - you at the instant are not working the engine long adequate to heat up. this could be a 'sixty 8, so i think this is a at contemporary 6, meaning there is fullyyt one head gasket. in case you rebuilt the pinnacle and adjusted the gasket, you should be fantastic.
2016-11-28 02:18:41 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
using a small amount of water is ok but you can have your antifreeze tested at some auto repair shops
2006-10-12 10:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by Tommy G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
antifreeze should always be as close to 50/50 as possible. you can fill it with water to get you by til payday, providing it isn't extremely hot or cold where you are.
2006-10-12 10:36:43 · answer #10 · answered by mott the hoople 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋