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Date:         Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:09:21 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: weak coolant - winter's approaching!
Comments: To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed; delsp=no

Why do we all use 50/50 antifreeze/water mix? Because that's what auto manufacturers, including VW say use. That mixture will protect the engine to -37 F. That's good for almost all the lower 48 U.S. states. If it gets colder where you live, use 60:40. David McNeely

On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 9:43 PM, Richard Koerner wrote:

> From the curve, looks like a 60% antifreeze and 40% water mixture is > significantly better than a 50/50 mix....wonder why we all do 50/50?  > Corrosion protection should also be better with more antifreeze...just > thinking. > > Rich > San Diego  (doesn't freeze here, that's for sure) > > --- On Wed, 12/2/09, pdooley wrote: > > From: pdooley Subject: Re: weak coolant - winter's approaching! > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 7:17 PM > > I guess you didn't read the article. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On > Behalf Of > Michael Snow > Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 9:44 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: weak coolant - winter's approaching! > > On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 6:38 PM, Mark wrote: >> So here's a question - maybe an easy one... So I'm in the middle of a >> flush-n-fill with ye olde bus.  I've probably got something like 70% >> distilled water and 30% coolant in there at the moment (given that >> it's > hard >> to flush ALL the coolant out).  I can't drain and refill with a 50/50 >> mix >> until the weekend.  But I live in Michigan and it's getting COLD! >  Supposed >> to get down to 20 degrees F on Friday morning.  Am I doomed?  Will >> the >> water/coolant in the van freeze and cause damage? Or will it just get > slushy >> and I'll be o.k. until Saturday?  I tested the coolant and the floaty > balls >> tell me I'm good until 20 degrees F. >> >> I found this info and chart from the Alaska Science Forum to be kind >> of >> neat.  Apparently, higher coolant mixes don't necessarily mean better >> protection: >> >> http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/680.html >> >> thanks for you thoughts! >> >> -- >> Mark >> 1990 Westy (2.1 - manual) >> > > Coolant is cheap.  Engines are expensive.  Drain some of your mix and > add pure coolant until you are satisfied with the protection level. > > -- > Michael Snow > 1987 Syncro TiiCo > 1982 Westfalia 1.9TD > http://slowmachine82.blogspot.com/


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