can I put WATER in my car if its overheating and ANTIFREEZE is not avalible?

Question

will it DAMAGE the CAR?

Answer 1

In some countries where it is hot wether they put water in car. It wont hurt your car, just make sure water is clean.

Answer 2

You want to let the engine cool down some before you start adding a lot of cold water to a very hot engine. That can cause problems with uneven cooling and even warping the heads or gasket damage.

Once the engine cools some, then go ahead and add the water, if that's all you have. It is the heat that will hurt the motor, more so than the water.

The Anti-freeze will also raise the boiling point of the water, so it can carry away more heat. So you'll want to get the anti-freeze back in there as soon as you can. You'll also want to find out why the car is overheating, is it a stuck thermostat? good luck.

Answer 3

You can do this temporarily, but only in the warm part of the year. Water will carry the heat to the radiator just fine. But if you don't get it replaced when winter comes, it WILL freeze and do damage to the engine. Also, antifreeze contains corrosion inhibitors that stop the inside of your engine from rusting, and I think it lubricates the water pump better than water. So fill it with water now if you have to, but plan on having the cooling system flushed soon after you get home.

Oh, and have the leak that let the antifreeze escape fixed, too.

Answer 4

It is not wise to put anything in the car while it is hot like that you can crack the block. The best way to cool it down is to spray water on the radiator while it is runing and get it to a normal temperature. Once you have done that you can slowly add the water. water will not harm the car right away the minerals and such in the water and the ph level of the water can cause electrolisis and cause later damage if you do not add the anti-freeze for a long period of time.

Answer 5

Yes, you can put water in your cars radiator in a pinch. As long as it isn't freezing cold outside you don't actually really 'need' antifreeze.

You should drain the water out and either fill it with pre-mix or mix your own anti-freeze 50/50 with water.

You don't want to run 100% anti-freeze in your system, but you don't want 100% water either because it won't cool as efficiently.

Answer 6

No it won't damage your car.
You definately need to find where you are losing the coolant though and get the right mix put back in it afterwards.
Over a period of time, water alone will evaporate/boil out, contribute to rust and corrosion and will freeze in the winter (which could crack your motor block).

Answer 7

of course you can put water in if anti-freez isn't avalible, just rember that a 50/50 mix of anti-freez disapates heat better than plain water, has a higher boiling point and of course won't freeze. just rember to have the cooling system returned to what the manufacture recomends at your convience. water is always better than running ths system low.

Answer 8

yes you can but make sure it is running to keep the water circulating,be sure to find out what is causeing it to overheat and fix the problem , add antifreeze as soon as possible because the water will evaperate. and start overheating again..

Answer 9

let the engine cool down and add water is ok to do- just have it looked at soon or you will have damage later-ok in an emergency

Answer 10

yes you can,but then you should drain the radiator and add the proper mixture of anti-freeze and water.especially before winter. straight water does not have the anti-corrosion compounds that anti-freeze does.