Date:         Fri, 4 Feb 2011 19:41:58 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Freeze Plugs was Oops - I let the engine freeze
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <10cd01cbc4bc$6efa8a40$6501a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
> never had the problem myself.
> 50-50 mixture is so easy to have in there.
> For most people if it's even 'sorta close' it's adequate.
>
> and since it should be in there year-round ..
> it sure 'should' be in all cars, no excuse not too really.

Well, the original poster's engine or other components likely did not freeze, but the engine probably experienced the too frequent leaking from the heads in cold weather that our vans are known for.  But, he reported that the temperature was -25 F.  Slightly too dilute a mixture, and microclimate variability in temperature, and freezing could be a possibility for any vehicle.  If I lived in a climate where -25 was a possibility, I'd run Canadian mix rather than U.S.  At least I think I would.  Back when I was a kid, in Dallas, in my family we ran 50:50 at a time when it was not yet the common recommendation.  Some folks still ran denatured alcohol in car engines in winter at that time, and others drained the radiator and block on cold nights.  I knew more than one person whose car block froze.  My father thought that was simple carelessness, and we ran 50:50 ethylene glycol.

mcneely