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Coolant Ratio?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ImportSlayer347
  • Start date Start date May 10, 2011

ImportSlayer347

Member
Oct 13, 2008
173
1
19
Sarasota, FL
May 10, 2011
#1
  • May 10, 2011
  • #1
I am currently running a 50/50 mixture. My car runs pretty hot in the summer in Florida. Even more so in heavy stop-and-go traffic. My temp gauge has gotten as high as 240 degrees. It is starting to make me nervous now that summer is about here. Is there any downside to running 100% coolant other than cost? I tried adding Purple Ice...didn't do ****.

Thanks
Randy
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,167
17,861
224
Massachusetts
May 10, 2011
#2
  • May 10, 2011
  • #2
Water is better at cooling. Run either 100% water if no chance of freezing or a 75% h2o/25% coolant mix
 

Kdubslugga

Active Member
Jun 7, 2003
1,515
3
38
Akron, OH
May 10, 2011
#3
  • May 10, 2011
  • #3
The more Water you run the cooler it will be! Like mentioned above. I usually run a 70/30 mix. Dont leave it in there during the winter, because I did and it began to slush up at about 0 degrees. Also be cautious that the less coolant you run the more corrosion can build up, so just dont run straight water for more than a few months. You sould notice a huge decrease in temps with straight water though
 

ImportSlayer347

Member
Oct 13, 2008
173
1
19
Sarasota, FL
May 10, 2011
#4
  • May 10, 2011
  • #4
That is pretty much what I was thinking. My only concern was if I run too much water the boiling point will decrease. Then if I get above 220 or so then I'm in trouble. Any thoughts on that?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,167
17,861
224
Massachusetts
May 10, 2011
#5
  • May 10, 2011
  • #5
If you are regularly seeing temps in the 220 degree range, perhaps you need to troubleshoot your cooling system as adjusting coolant mix may net be enough.

What's your engine combo? What's the state of the cooling components?
 

7upstang91

10 Year Member
May 30, 2008
936
124
74
Florida
May 10, 2011
#6
  • May 10, 2011
  • #6
Mustang5L5 said:
If you are regularly seeing temps in the 220 degree range, perhaps you need to troubleshoot your cooling system as adjusting coolant mix may net be enough.

What's your engine combo? What's the state of the cooling components?
Click to expand...

+1

In Florida, a 75% water to 25% coolant mixture is recommend. I know you live in PA, but you can give it a shot.

Personally, I think some part of your cooling system is starting to fall you.
 

ImportSlayer347

Member
Oct 13, 2008
173
1
19
Sarasota, FL
May 10, 2011
#7
  • May 10, 2011
  • #7
I live in FL just havent updated my profile. I just installed a new water pump and it didnt do anything. I got a 180 degree thermostat that seems to be working good. I got a 2,800 cfm Flex-a-lite electric fan on an adjustable thermal control. The car has always run hot for years. Only thing I can think of is maybe a bigger fan.
 
T

TokyoJoe

New Member
Mar 25, 2007
179
5
0
May 10, 2011
#8
  • May 10, 2011
  • #8
I do an 80/20 mix with water wetter here in Tampa. Seems to work good
 

7upstang91

10 Year Member
May 30, 2008
936
124
74
Florida
May 10, 2011
#9
  • May 10, 2011
  • #9
I was thinking this before you ever said what you have replaced. Sounds like a radiator to me.

Where in Florida?
 

7upstang91

10 Year Member
May 30, 2008
936
124
74
Florida
May 10, 2011
#10
  • May 10, 2011
  • #10
Also, What is done to the car? Performance parts wise.
 

Kdubslugga

Active Member
Jun 7, 2003
1,515
3
38
Akron, OH
May 10, 2011
#11
  • May 10, 2011
  • #11
Well i have a flex alite fan on my car with appx 600 Hp maybe a little less at the flywheel, so i doubt the fan is the issue. Also what temp guage are you using?
 

ImportSlayer347

Member
Oct 13, 2008
173
1
19
Sarasota, FL
May 11, 2011
#12
  • May 11, 2011
  • #12
347 stroker. Ford Racing dual row radiator. Autometer ES series mechanical water temp gauge. As long as I am cruising it stays around 190. Soon as I start hitting red lights it starts creeping up. If I am in heavy traffic or sit at a lot of red lights it will go well over 210 sometimes higher.
 

4rdnut

Member
Dec 14, 2010
188
1
16
May 11, 2011
#13
  • May 11, 2011
  • #13
flexalite electric

I don't know which flexalite electric fan you have but if you have the cheaper black magic fan with no shroud then that would be the problem. I have the black magic extreme #185 fan with shroud and the temp gauge stays right on 198 degrees here in the virginia sweltering traffic and the fan motor only draws 18 amps.
 
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