Will it be okay if I use water instead of coolants in cars?? If not, why??

Answer 1

Short answer, yes you can use water instead of a water/coolant mix (combination corrosion inhibitor and glycol). However, if you expect a long, trouble free life from the engine, it is best to reccommend that you do use a suitable coolant that meets the engine's specifications.

The benefits of coolant additives outweigh any heat capacity loss (Ethyl glycol has a somewhat lower J/oC heat capacity, from memory about 2000, whereas water has about 4020 {or 4200} J/oC {again, from memory}, but that is less important considering the dilution of the liquid.)

The corrosion inhibitor prevents two main methods of corrosion. The first is the "traditional" idea of corrosion, the occurence of electron transfer in an aqueous environment, causing "rust". The second is the prevention of galvanic anodisation, very important in modern engines, when different types of metals are used for different parts of the engine. For example, aluminium acts as a sacrificial anode, preventing corrosion in the steel in the engine, but causing the aluminium to corrode. In short, over a period of time, it can become very expensive.

The second part is the antifreeze protection. In temperate climates, with mild operating temperatures and a very good heat transfer rate, an antifreeze is not required. Back in the real world, hot days, sub zero mornings, and buildup of scale (mineral deposits) in radiators and pipes, mean that on occasion the temperature will exceed 100 degrees celcius (towing up a 15% gradient on a 40 degree celcius day, or a blocked radiator on a hot day (the first hot day, where you get all the motorists breaking down)) and dip below 0 degrees celcius (cold mornings or winters below freezing. So you can see where antifreeze plays it's role.

And to clear up any misconceptions, only water is used in racing applications because if a cooling system becomes damaged and spills on a raceway, the ethyl glycol is has a higher slip then water. So the reason is mainly safety, but as well the cooling systems are likely to be in optimal condition.

Answer 2

Back in the old days water was all they had and guess what ? In the summertime cars would get hot and you had to stop driving until the engine cooled down. In the winter the water could and would freeze thereby cracking the block. So, go ahead use water only if you want to "save" money or something.

Answer 3

Yes, you can run straight water as a coolant, HOWEVER:
Antifreeze is designed to help keep your coolant from freezing.
It also helps prevent overheating.
It also helps deter corrosion in the cooling system (important today, because of so many aluminum components used).

Answer 4

u need a mixture of 50-50, because strait water corrodes your cooling system, and also water boils faster, and freezes, usually resulting in a cracked engine block. most coolants are anti-boil/ anti-freeze. they make a guage to test the freeze point of your coolant, so you know if its strong enough. usually 50/50 is a safe bet.

Answer 5

coolant increases the boiling point of water and lowers the freezing point. It also protects the engine from corrosion.
So you can use water just be aware of the dangers if you do.

Answer 6

coolant is mostly used to protect against rust, corrosion, but if u think chemistry water has a higher degree of boiling so no over heat

Answer 7

I was advice by a mechanic to flush out the water and replace with battery water as a way to maintain the radiator compartment.
So far so good.

Answer 8

No
Will possibly overheat in the summerand may freeze up in the winter Could crack the block in the winter or warp the heads in the summer
Also cuts down on rust and scale buildup

Answer 9

u can if you put in a rust/corrosion inhibitor and lube...... also coolant actually boils at a higher temp then water does

Answer 10

I guess it would be ok...but if it gets hot ,do be sure to use coolants.