Any internal combustion engine generates a lot of heat during operation. To keep it from boiling, there is a cooling system. The antifreeze it contains is needed to cool the block and the engine head. In addition, in winter, the heat removed by the coolant is directed to the stove radiator - it becomes warm in the cabin. But let's imagine a situation: one morning you decided to check the coolant level in and saw that it was at a minimum. Can I add water to antifreeze? Let's answer this question.
Antifreeze structure
This one has two main components. These are ethylene glycol (63 percent) and water (35 percent). The rest is various additives - corrosion inhibitors. Thanks to this composition, antifreeze does not boil at a temperature of 100 degrees or more, and also does not freeze at "zero".
Ethylene glycol is based on a glycol-water mixture. The ability of the liquid not to freeze at negative temperatures depends on its quality. Also, the glycol-water mixture affects the viscosity of the antifreeze and its specific heat capacity. However, its aqueous solution is corrosive to the metal elements of the cooling system. Therefore, the composition necessarily includes additives that prevent their corrosion.
When can antifreeze be mixed?
The cooling system must operate with a normal coolant volume. A lack of it can lead to overheating of the motor. But is it possible to add water to antifreeze? The liquid itself is already a concentrate of ethylene glycol and water. But not just "from the tap", but distilled. These are two different things. By the way, foreign manufacturers make pure ethylene glycol, in which the percentage of impurities (water and additives) does not exceed 5 percent. The mixing ratio of these components depends on the conditions in which the vehicle is used. For example, for middle latitudes, this ratio is 1 to 1. If concentrate was previously poured into the system, if the level is insufficient, it can be diluted with 200 ml of distilled water. With this ratio, the properties of antifreeze and its freezing point are not violated.
Why only distilled?
Please note that tap water is absolutely not suitable for diluting the coolant. It contains a large percentage of impurities, which not only impair the properties of antifreeze to remove heat. The wear of the pipes also increases, corrosion of metal elements occurs, salts are clogged in the radiator. Over time, it will simply clog in one of the channels and cause the motor to overheat.
To avoid engine problems, don't skimp on distilled water. But if you really need to go urgently, and there is neither one nor the other at hand, you can add water, but only boiled water. And necessarily after such mixing, the antifreeze is completely drained and a new one is poured. It is impossible to ride for a long time "on the water". As a new liquid, you can use its price - about 300 rubles for a five-liter canister. For a passenger car, it is quite enough. But for minibuses and GAZelle trucks you need 10 liters. But still, this price is not comparable to the repair of the motor, which you need in case of overheating.
Can I add water to antifreeze in summer?
If you have not diluted the concentrate before, then it is quite safe. Some motorists use it as their primary coolant. But this is only until the first frost. Before the onset of cold weather, prevention of this system should be carried out. If it was topped up (or it was used as the main one, it doesn't matter), drain it and fill in a new, full-fledged red antifreeze. The price of error and laziness is a frozen tank and replacement of all pipes.
Winter time
During this period, it is strictly forbidden to add water, even in small quantities. As a result, starting the engine at -5 degrees or more will be difficult. Frozen water, due to expansion, can rupture the radiator, pipes and reservoir. According to the requirements, the freezing point of antifreeze must be at least -25 degrees. With each added milliliter of water, this figure decreases.
What to do when repairing the system?
If you have antifreeze leaks, check the tightness of the connection of the pipes. They should be soft and fit snugly over the holes. If the rubber is hard, antifreeze flows through its microcracks. A breakdown of the radiator is also possible. During any operations involving the replacement of the cleaning and diagnostic facilities, be it a thermostat, hoses or a branch pipe, the liquid is preliminarily drained into a pre-prepared clean container.
But what if after the repair the level in the tank dropped? Can I add water to antifreeze? If it's summer, and the system has lost no more than 50 percent of the liquid, then you can. But with the onset of cold weather, it is advisable to drain the composition completely and use a full-fledged antifreeze.
How often to change?
As well as oil, antifreeze has its own replacement period. Manufacturers say that the fluid must be changed every 3 years or 75 thousand kilometers. During operation, the level of heat transfer from antifreeze is reduced. It begins to foam and corrode metal parts. If you do not know when the antifreeze was poured into the system, it is very easy to determine its wear. A jelly-like mass forms on the inside of the expansion tank, at low temperatures the liquid becomes cloudy and precipitates. Wear can also be identified by color. If the antifreeze turns reddish, this indicates that the corrosion process has begun.
Yes, manufacturers paint antifreeze in different shades - red, blue, green. But you will not confuse a dirty liquid with anything. If the above signs appear, replace the antifreeze immediately. And water is never added to the new liquid. If one canister is missing, buy another one. Let you still have 4 liters in it, but you will have a complete concentrate. In addition, the water that it contains tends to evaporate. Therefore, the remaining liters will be "topped up".
About flowers
Green and red antifreeze is very popular now. Their price is about the same. But there are differences. Green contains several components:
- Organic matter.
- Inorganic.
- Chemical additives. These are borates, phosphates and carboxylic acid.
The advantage of using green antifreeze is the high resistance of the composition to corrosion. The mixture seems to "envelop" the insides with a protective film, preventing processes destructive for the metal. But there is also a minus.
This film reduces heat dissipation of the liquid. But this does not affect the motor destructively. With proper operation, it is very difficult for an engine to boil on green antifreeze. As for red antifreezes, their composition excludes the use of inorganic components. It also has a high percentage of carboxylic acid content. It does not form a film inside the system, hence the best heat transfer.
They also have an increased service life. High-quality red antifreeze lasts up to 5 years. However, the mixture has its drawbacks. First of all, this is a poor protection of aluminum radiators from scale. But if you have a copper or brass radiator, red antifreeze is the perfect choice for you. It is also sold in 5-liter cans. One of the popular manufacturers is Felix. Reviews of motorists note a low freezing threshold - up to minus 35 degrees Celsius. The liquid does not boil at 110, but still you should not bring the motor to such a state. This is very harmful to him.
Can I mix different brands of antifreeze?
This is not worth doing. Manufacturers mix their products in different proportions. Therefore, it is difficult to predict how this or that brand will behave if it is mixed. The liquid can foam and burst the expansion tank under pressure. Also note that the antifreeze contains methanol, the boiling point of which is 65 degrees Celsius. The more it is, the sooner the engine will boil.
So, we found out if it is possible to add water to antifreeze.
One of the driver's duties, as stated in the owner's manual, is to monitor the engine oil level. What to do if the level has dropped below the minimum: how urgent is it to top up, which one? The answers to these and other frequently asked questions are in our article.
The correct oil level is essential for the best possible protection of parts against wear. To control the level in the engines, a dipstick is provided, which is easily accessible from the engine compartment. The check is carried out visually. Min and Max are marked on the dipstick (usually the space between them is marked with a plastic nozzle, corrugation or other means). On the removed dipstick, the oil should be between these marks.
On relatively new cars, the oil level is always within acceptable limits. There is no need to refill it: you just need to call in to the service for a timely replacement. Specialists of Favorit Motors Group of Companies remind that each vehicle has its own frequency: for example, for European models with gasoline engines, it is 15,000 km or (under severe vehicle operating conditions) 10,000 km. The exact service interval can be found in the instruction manual. The need for replacement is due to the fact that the oil loses its properties: the additives use up the resource, the smallest wear products accumulate, which the filter cannot detain. Even if you rarely drive your car, you should change the oil once a year.
"My car will tell you when to add oil."
We are used to the fact that all cars have indicators on the dashboard with a picture of an oil can or the inscription OIL. Many drivers do not bother checking the oil level, relying on the help of the on-board diagnostic system. But this is not always justified. The fact is that the same indicator indicates a problem with the oil pressure, and not its level. In simple terms, the oil pump draws oil from virtually the bottom of the sump. Accordingly, as long as it is, in principle, there will be no problems with pressure in normal modes. They can occur during sudden maneuvers, moving uphill or downhill, and only then air will enter the pump and the light will turn on. So hoping for a familiar indicator in terms of level control is wrong.
For the sake of fairness, we note that in some cars, during self-diagnosis, it is checked, including the amount of oil. This makes life much easier for the driver.
How to check the oil level correctly?
While such a check is an elementary procedure, there are several fundamentally important rules for its implementation. First, control is best done on a cold engine. In this case, all the oil is in the sump - during the trip, it is pumped over by a pump and sprayed throughout the engine. If the check is performed on a hot engine, the level may appear higher than it actually is. Secondly, it is advisable to remove the dipstick before assessing the level, wipe it, then carefully immerse it back and remove it again. Otherwise, the level is not always "read" correctly on the dipstick.
Why is the oil level dropping?
In severely worn engines, grease leaks through leaking seals. Also, oil is consumed "for waste", that is, it burns in the engine cylinders. The more worn out the oil rings on the pistons, the more oil will go away. Modern engines sometimes consume a fairly large volume and this is spelled out in the instructions: for example, for German cars, oil consumption up to 1 liter per 1000 km is considered the norm.
Adding oil to the engine: how to do it correctly?
If you see that the oil level is below normal, it must be topped up as soon as possible, otherwise the power unit will experience oil starvation and wear out intensively. Ideally, top up with the same oil that is already in your combustion engine. For those who are serviced in dealerships of Favorit Motors Group of Companies, we advise you to look for lubricants on our website - here you can buy containers of both 1 liter and 4-5 liters.
Why is it not recommended to use other oils, even from the same manufacturer? Each oil name uses its own additives, which are not always compatible with others. As a result, after topping up, sediment, turbidity may form, viscosity may change - in a word, the oil mixture will have different characteristics.
If you are far from your service and cannot find what you are looking for, follow these rules. In mineral oil, it is permissible to add another, but on a mineral basis. Likewise with synthetics: it is better to use synthetic. Semi-synthetic oils are universal: they can be mixed with any others, as well as any other can be added to the "semi-synthetics". Try to top up the oil to the minimum allowable level, so that if possible, buy a “native” oil and fill the full volume with it.
In the most extreme case, when there is no oil, but you have to go, you can add any to any. Here we actually choose between two evils: driving without oil is much worse. When traveling, try not to load the engine unnecessarily, not to spin it up to high revs. Upon return, the resulting "engine fluid" must be replaced with normal oil, preferably with flushing.
You need to pour oil through a funnel or from the neck of the canister in portions of 200-300 grams, wait a few minutes until it reaches from the filler neck to the crankcase and only then check the level.
Is it possible to fill in engine oil "with a reserve"?
If the engine consumes engine oil quite actively, a logical question arises: is it possible to pour it “with a margin” so as not to get under the hood so often? No. With an excess of oil, it will be squeezed out through all the gaskets, in addition, there is a risk of squeezing out the crankshaft oil seals. In winter, the oil thickens, and the more it is in the engine, the more difficult it is to turn the shaft to start. Therefore, overflow is unacceptable.
Is it possible to change the oil less often with frequent topping up?
Another popular question. The logic is this: if you periodically add oil, that is, renew it, it should last longer. But it is not so. The oil accumulates products of combustion and wear of parts - not all are trapped by the oil filter. That is why the initially translucent oil darkens after the first thousand kilometers. When oil burns out or leaks through the gaskets and seals, the products of wear and combustion remain inside. You can get rid of them only by a complete oil change. If you added 1 liter of oil, and then another 1 liter, it seems to you that you have already replaced 2 liters from, say, 4. But this is not so: after all, the first liter was mixed with the "dirty" contents of the lubrication system. As a result, after adding 2 liters, it cannot be said that you have renewed half of the volume: in the best case, it will be 20-30%. Therefore, it is necessary to change the oil regardless of its quality and frequency of topping up.
Lack of oil: reasons for concern
Engine oil starvation is dangerous! The service life of the engine is reduced much faster with insufficient lubrication. It is similar to a nuclear reaction: wear products are carried by residual oil throughout the entire unit and damage parts that have not yet been touched. Add damage from dry running here and we get a sad result. If you realize that you have been driving for a long time without oil, it quickly "leaves" or noticed a strange engine sound - sign up for a diagnosis. It may be enough to replace the pallet gasket or sealant to forget about the problem. The exact cause can only be determined by a specialist.
Antifreeze significantly reduces the heating of the power unit in summer and prevents it from freezing in winter. And if in the cold period the cooling composition behaves normally, then in the heat it simply boils away. Therefore, sometimes there is a desire to add to the composition of ordinary water. However, experts prove that it is necessary to dilute antifreeze subject to certain rules.
Antifreeze is a combination of distilled water with ethylene glycol. It is H2O that promotes active evaporation of the composition in the heat. Therefore, it must be remembered that the production mixture has clear proportions with a certain freezing point, depending on the density of the composition. To determine the density of the coolant (coolant), you need to read the instructions or use a hydrometer.
How to properly add water to antifreeze
There are two types of cooling compounds - a concentrate that needs to be diluted, and a ready-made antifreeze mixture. Dilution of the composition provides for a clear observance of the required balance between liquid boiling and accelerated freezing. At the same time, it is undesirable to use tap water containing an unrealistic number of impurities.
The tap liquid oversaturated with the periodic table provokes the formation of plaque inside the cooling system. Scale formed inside the conductors indicates a deterioration in heat output.
Therefore, in order to mix antifreeze with water, you need to use exclusively distilled water, which is poured in as much as the concentrate was taken. When operating a car in severe frost, other proportions are used: 700 ml of the concentrate is diluted with 300 ml of water.
It must be remembered that low temperatures promote the formation of crystals and thickening of the substance. This will provoke a decrease in the performance of the motor and accelerate the wear of the elements.
What is fraught with mixing antifreeze with water
Antifreeze contains special additives that have lubricating and cooling properties, the effect of which is reduced if the composition is diluted with water. It is possible to pour it into the OS (cooling system) of the power unit, but it is not recommended. The liquid will quickly corrode the aluminum parts of the motor, clog the radiator of the cooling system, and reduce the protective qualities. If antifreeze is diluted with water, undesirable consequences are possible. Therefore, it is not necessary to do this, it is allowed in extremely rare cases.
Domestic cars can "swallow" it, but it is better not to test a mixture of antifreeze with water on foreign cars. If, due to circumstances, you had to mix antifreeze with water, you need to change all the coolant in the engine as soon as possible. And in each case, it is recommended to dilute the antifreeze with distilled water, since the usual one can damage the parts of the cooling system.
When antifreeze is diluted with water
Such manipulation is allowed in summer, in extreme heat, when the liquid is continuously heated and the water evaporates from it, which leads to an accelerated consumption of additives. In such a situation, adding water is perfectly acceptable. In addition, the hoses of the cooling system are periodically damaged, which leads to fluid leakage. This situation requires the mandatory addition of water, which is what most motorists do. But this is also only permissible in the summer.
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In winter, adding water to coolants is not permissible. Water reduces the concentration of the liquid, which causes freezing even in light frost. This will damage the pipes and rupture the radiator of the power unit. Therefore, to increase the protective properties, it is better to add high-quality antifreeze.
Summing up
Summing up the above, we conclude that it is possible to dilute the coolant with water, the main thing is not to abuse it and know exactly when and how to do it. And the best thing is to find the nearest car dealership and stock up on antifreeze in a timely manner, not forgetting that green is added to green, and red to red.
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Good day, dear readers of my AUTOBLOG, the winter season is coming, and, accordingly, severe frosts will come. Your vehicle's coolant must be prepared for this test. But there is such a situation, especially in summer, when water is added to the expansion tank, that is, antifreeze is mixed with water, this is done due to a low liquid level. Is this correct? Let's think today about the question of whether it is worth diluting antifreeze like this ...
Can antifreeze be mixed with water
You can mix antifreeze and water, there is nothing wrong with that. The main thing in this business is not to overdo it. Antifreeze itself consists of 70% water, and therefore the addition of a small amount of liquid will not do much harm. The main thing to remember is concentration. At high temperatures, for example in summer, water evaporates from antifreeze, only the active layer of additives remains, that is, the liquid becomes more concentrated. It is even recommended to add a little water to such a liquid in order to reduce the concentration to a normal state.
Now let's look at a different situation. For example, you broke the hose from the expansion tank, about a liter of antifreeze leaked out, then you fixed the leak and decided not to buy additional liquid, but to top up with water. In the summer it may work, but in the winter it is by no means impossible. Because the concentration of this coolant is very low. Such a liquid will freeze already at - 5 - 10 degrees Celsius. And if your liquid is frozen, then this is fraught with serious damage, it can rupture the radiator of the stove and engine, and also damage the pipes. I remember a radiator dripping on my Ford Fusion precisely because I had antifreeze strongly diluted to - 28 degrees, and that night it banged - 35 degrees. Antifreeze did not freeze, but began to crystallize, and this was already enough for the radiator to leak. Therefore, in winter, do not mix antifreeze with water, but on the contrary, you need to add concentrated antifreeze in order to raise the temperature threshold.
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And the last thing - you should not dilute the liquid too much because the anti-corrosion properties of antifreeze, when diluted with water, decrease or even come to naught. But the water inside the system can cause rust of metal pipes, adapters and all kinds of metal valves. And where there is rust there is also sediment, sediment will be deposited on the walls of metal pipes and clog the passages, and this is not very good. Of course, all this will not happen quickly, but why risk it.
Summing up, I would like to say - you can mix, but within reasonable limits. And it is best to add only antifreeze to antifreeze. Moreover, add red to red antifreeze, and green to green. Read useful articles - red or green antifreeze, and also - can antifreeze and antifreeze be mixed. And that's all for today.
- wheelbarrow
I always mix, it's cheaper
The main thing is not to overdo it
I also mixed in the winter, I thought that a little water would not change the properties of the antifreeze. The result is engine overheating and a new radiator.
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a question to the author: if, for example, antifreeze was expanded by - 40 degrees and it was about 8 liters in the system. then why does not 1 liter of water lower its properties of degrees? After all, concentrated antifreeze is diluted in this way
You are right as you say, a liter of water will lower the antifreeze anti-freeze quality.
a can only antifreeze be topped up?
sedan, of course you can! The same brand as yours!
and can the water evaporate by itself in the cooling system, or does it flow somewhere?
The car will not start. -1 temperature. Antifreeze below the level. Could this be the reason? The battery is new, turns but does not start.
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Can water and antifreeze be mixed?
If the coolant is not enough
Foreign manufacturers rarely sell ready-to-use coolants, but produce a concentrate containing 95% ethylene glycol, and the rest is additives and water. To pour the concentrate into the engine cooling system, it is diluted with distilled (and only) water. The ratio of concentrate to water depends on the required freezing point of the resulting coolant. For example, for a temperate climate, the dilution of distilled water and atmospheric solution will be 1: 1.
If the concentrate was previously poured into the engine cooling system, and the level in the cooling tank has gone down, then feel free to fill in distilled water. In this case, the balance of additives will not be disturbed and will not affect the freezing point in any way, since we restore the evaporated water due to excessive pressure.
If ordinary antifreeze was poured in and it took a little, then we also add distilled water.
It is strongly not recommended to pour or mix ordinary tap water with antifreeze and its concentrate. Since it is not known how chemicals will behave in ordinary water with an anti-freeze additive complex. On modern cars, the cooling system parts are made of aluminum alloys and hard water can corrode them, leading to corrosion. In addition, water in the cooling system passes through the thin openings of the radiator, which can lead to overheating of the motor.
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Don't skimp on distilled water, because its cost is low and unpleasant problems with the cooling system can be avoided. If there is no distilled water at hand, but you need to fill in something, it is recommended to top up with filtered or thoroughly boiled water. Only after such mixing is it recommended to replace the antifreeze as soon as possible.
If a lot of coolant has gone
If a lot of coolant has gone, then add the appropriate antifreeze to the level. This is only if you know what was filled in earlier and use the same original one for refilling (by color, from the same manufacturer). If you do not know what was filled earlier, then in the warm season you can top up with distilled water, and completely change the coolant before the onset of cold weather.
In the event of a large coolant leak, when more than a third of the volume needs to be added, it is better to replace the whole antifreeze. In extreme cases (far from shops and civilization, when you need to get to the place of repair), you can fill in any amount of water in the summer (better - filtered), it does not affect the cooling capacity of the engine. But remember that after that you will need to completely replace the antifreeze.
Communities ›GAZ Volga› Blog ›is it possible to mix water with antifreeze?
The radiator leaked to get to the place of repair - I want to directly pour water into it, but there is antifreeze left in the expansion tank (which I usually pour). I heard that in no case should antifreeze be mixed with antifreeze or antifreeze of other colors. So tell me, please, can you pour water into the radiator or not?
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Comments 49
Yes, at the expense of mixing antifreeze and antifreeze, there is an opinion that it curdles, I myself did not check the truth.
You can fill in everything, in principle. If you pour water for a while, nothing will happen (unless you do this in winter, of course), especially if it's disc. water. From tap water, I suppose, the cooling channels, stove, etc. can get dirty. It is believed that the pump can also get from the water. In practice, I have been on the water for a week, everything is normal. And so I pour antifreeze.
How many debates about Antifreeze-antifreeze and water)))
And such answers - it just seems that half are ignorant.
What is the difference between TOC or AntiFreeze composition one Ethylene glycol and distilled water, the rest is a package of additives, antioxidants and temperature-active substances. Do you know why the service says - the motor is overheated? They look into the antifreeze, when it overheats above 115 degrees, it immediately turns green. Therefore, new motors (Euro 2 - 3) are pouring antifreeze so that it can be determined at the service for which of the reasons HAE ... the motor, because they have a motor operating temperature of 105 degrees. Therefore, they advise. If you overheated the engine on the warranty car and hana-namiti came to him, then it is advisable to change the antifreeze, and then just drive it to the service station.
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And so at the end of the topic I will say - TOSol - the same ANTIFREEZE, only a foreign name.
You can even ride on the water, nothing will be killed (we are talking about distilled), in the summer - this is not so critical, it's another matter in winter.
I pour a mixture of antifreeze (Alaska) + distilant, after a couple of times almost everything was spilled on the asphalt)) I poured the distiller, drove to the store, bought antifreeze, refilled ... now about 60/40 (water / antifreeze)
Plumbing is not desirable because of all the crap it contains. plaque remains + sediment as a result clogs the radiator, but this is if you drive it constantly))
402, now I go on the water.
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I will add another fact, recently heard, I was told that the gasket on the water is less likely to break through, so it evaporates when it bends the head when overheated, but the antifreeze flows into the cracks and when it cools, the prolandos bulges out, so that's it.
yeah, I also liked it - "when mixing water and antifreeze, there is a significant expansion of the liquid in the system"
Well, this is due to the fact that almost the water probably remained with the one who wrote this and was boiling, and so the expansion coefficient of antifreeze is higher than that of water, for this they made an expansion tank by design, so that there was room to expand.
and what do you think ethylene glycol is diluted, from a mixture of which antifreeze-antifreeze is obtained in a certain concentration, although these names are only names and this is the same thing.
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it's just funny to watch how sellers in stores tell customers tales about the fact that antifreeze is cool, and antifreeze sucks ...
but they are the same thing
the difference in the manufacturer, and accordingly in the quality, but the imported frieze is caustic and, like the acid in the battery, it eats everything, for example, on Muscovites, the block has eaten up in the place where the sleeve is, the potential difference.
antifreeze is an abbreviation of the department, well, that is, the abbreviated name of the Technical Department of Synthesis of Organic L ... something there, maybe someone knows additionally. or will write correctly, in short, in the USSR there was such a department that developed all kinds of chemistry and developed antifreeze based on ethylene glycol, in contrast to imported alkaline alcohol antifreezes, in general, they decided to name their products in honor of the department, i.e. TOSOL.
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TOS- "technology of organic synthesis". As for the ending "ol", it is used to denote alcohols, since ethylene glycol is a dibasic alcohol.
It’s the most like, I’m saying that I don’t remember exactly.
it will reach the repair on anything. pour water boldly. before there were no antifreezes at all)))
You can only use a disinfected leu.
I don’t know with antifreeze, but before that water was poured into the radiator
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well, it was definitely a Muscovite
I don't remember anymore. I found out somewhere long ago. Yes, and it seems like everyone who rides a red frieze does not interfere with it with anything other than water
red can be mixed with any other, but not on all motors. There are lubricating additives in red. In some motors, the pump bearing is open and when using antifreeze or other antifreeze without additives, it starts to kill it. In systems with a closed bearing do not care. I heard this information somewhere.
red antifreeze can only be mixed with red antifreeze. and green antifreeze can be mixed with antifreeze and green antifreeze. all of them can be mixed with distilled water
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What about blue antifreeze?
Traveled about a month somewhere on a mixture of tap water and antifreeze.
Necessary measure. The heater return hose burst, everything leaked into the ground, and in parallel, the engine was being repaired - the DMRV and other coils, candles and wires. Money was not stupid))
Besides the cover, there are no victims.
I recently poured the mixture, bought a new lid, poured antifreeze - all the way.
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If you are going to do this in your Zhiguli, then undoubtedly do it, it will live
no, we're talking about 3110
Yes, everything will live, there are just cars that have very limited use of coolant, for example G11 or G12, and so there you can go ... a thread of water
firstly, a maximum of 2-3 liters is placed in the radiator, the rest is in the block. Antifreeze can be mixed with distilled water (at any gas station it is also sold at car dealerships). If from the tap, it is better to boil 2-3 times (there is a lot of bleach in the water). Antifreeze is sold diluted and a concentrate, which is mixed with distilled water in proportion to the appropriate temperature. Antifreeze is the same antifreeze. Lei and not ssy. If you are really afraid, turn on the tap on the block, drain all the antifreeze, fill in water.
there is a point in boiling, but not at all because of chlorine, it evaporates very quickly ... but you can boil so that the salts dissolved in water fall out in the dishes in which they will boil, and not in the engine cooling system (remember the scale in the kettle)
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chlorine with some substances (I don't remember exactly, it seems from the class of alkaline salts) in antifreeze can react. You can also use rainwater)))
lei, nothing will happen
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Take a look yourself! But an acquaintance of mine also flooded it and his hoses were torn from the pressure
Well, I need to change a couple of hoses there.
and it seems to me that antifreeze does not come from the tank at all, because level does not decrease
and what can happen from this?
all the antifreeze from the radiator leaked out, it remained only in the expansion tank. and I want directly into the radiator, through the neck
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all summer I go on a mixture of antifreeze and water! I did not notice any problems!
It is not advised that when mixing water and antifreeze, a significant expansion of the liquid in the system occurs.
Come on))) And what do you think is antifreeze?
but most of the composition does not know ...
It is not advised that when mixing water and antifreeze, a significant expansion of the liquid in the system occurs.
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just for this there is an expansion tank with a valve plug
It is not advised that when mixing water and antifreeze, a significant expansion of the liquid in the system occurs.
this is where and who is NOT advising? How does the "significant expansion of the fluid in the system" occur?
and the usual tap?
The usual one is not desirable, but if you change the antifreeze, then what's the difference what you add
Well, then I will not fill in for a long time)
You can fill it, but only to the workshop, then drain everything and pour in clean antifreeze ...
will not kill anything there from this?
all the antifreeze from the radiator leaked out, it remained only in the expansion tank.
Nothing will happen, this is a temporary measure, the same was poured, though not for a long time, it was clean to get to the garage
Can I add water instead of antifreeze?
Imagine a situation: the level of the coolant in the tank is less than the nominal and you need to add antifreeze. Is it possible in this case to add water or mix antifreeze with water.
IN WHAT CASES CAN WATER AND ANTIFREEZE BE MIXED?
If we talk about the recommendations of the manufacturer, then they categorically prohibit mixing antifreeze and water. This is due to the fact that the antifreeze contains appropriate additives that have a beneficial effect on the cooling system, namely, they have good lubricating and cooling properties.
Regular water will cope with engine cooling, but how does it affect engine parts? On modern cars, cooling system parts are made of aluminum alloys and hard water can corrode them, leading to corrosion over time. In addition, water in the cooling system passes through the thin holes of the radiator, which can eventually “clog” and lead to constant overheating of the motor.
If you pour water into the cooling system instead of antifreeze, do it only at your own peril and risk. If old cars are still tolerant of this, then on modern foreign cars this can turn into problems.
WHEN CAN I FILL WATER INSTEAD OF ANTIFREEZE?
When the situation is critical, and there is no antifreeze at hand, you can add water to the cooling system. For example, when the radiator is leaking, but you need to get to the place of repair. But remember that after filling with water, you will need to or completely replace the antifreeze in the car.
Can I use water instead of antifreeze in summer? It is possible if there is no replacement at hand. In addition, in the past, motorists used to ride exclusively on water in the summer, because water and antifreeze have the same effect on the cooling capacity of the engine. But let's repeat again, it is extremely undesirable to fill in water on modern machines, and sometimes it is simply dangerous.
If water is poured into the cooling system instead of antifreeze, then I recommend replacing it with antifreeze before the first cold weather. Even if very little water is poured.
Can I use water instead of antifreeze in winter? It is strictly forbidden to do this - in winter, the water will freeze in the engine cooling system, which will entail a difficult start. Frozen water in the expansion tank can rupture it or damage engine parts.
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Dilution of antifreeze with distilled water. Question.
This is roughly -40 to -50 degrees.
Coolants of the first group are usually colored blue or blue. Antifreezes of the silicate group are most often green, and red or violet dyes are added to the antifreezes of the carboxylate group.
Antifreezes of the carboxylate group must not be mixed with antifreezes of other groups, and when replacing antifreeze, it is necessary to be guided by the instructions of the car manufacturers.
90s of the last century, and contain corrosion inhibitors based on
organic acids. Such antifreezes do not form a thick protective layer over
the entire surface of the system, and are adsorbed only at the points of occurrence
corrosion with the formation of protective layers no more than 0.1 microns thick. These
coolants are the most expensive and are primarily used
in engines requiring improved heat dissipation - highly accelerated
engines, turbocharged engines. They successfully prevent corrosion
ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as high-temperature corrosion of aluminum
alloys. Even high quality coolants need to be completely changed.
with flushing of the system; in case of untimely replacement, such fluids
become dangerous for the engine, first of all, due to the increase
deposits in the cooling system and a decrease in anti-corrosion properties.
IMHO - this slurry does not like saving, and is it worth it to breed a bodyaguer because of the 200r difference?
Coolants of the first group are usually colored blue or blue. Antifreezes of the silicate group are most often green,.
acids (liquid glass). The disadvantages of such coolants are
formation over the entire surface of the cooling system of a relatively thick
(up to 0.5 mm) of a protective layer, which impairs the efficiency of heat removal, as well as
the formation of sludge that clogs the narrow channels of the cooling system. Besides
in addition, the decomposition of silicates forms an abrasive deposit of silicon oxide
(quartz sand) causing accelerated wear on water pump bearings.
with flushing of the system;.
Now the question is: how and with what to wash all this economy from quartz sand when replacing?
Toyota Mark II, GX81, 1G-GE, was
The most visited car forums in Russia according to LiveInternet
What awaits our car after mixing antifreeze with water?
What if the coolant level in the system radiator is at a critical level? Can you add water by mixing with the rest of the antifreeze? We will give an extensive answer to this question in this article.
If you convey the essence of the manufacturer's recommendations, then it is strictly forbidden to add water to antifreeze in them. This prohibition is justified by the fact that the coolant is enriched with appropriate additives that have a beneficial effect on the cooling system. They contribute to excellent lubrication and accelerated engine cooling.
Ordinary water instead of antifreeze, no doubt, will cope with the function of cooling the motor, but how does it affect the parts of that same power unit? Modern cars are equipped with lightweight cooling systems made of aluminum alloys, which are adversely affected by hard water, namely, it leads to corrosion. Water seeps through the micro-holes of the radiator, leading to clogging and further constant overheating of the engine.
If you deliberately pour water into the system, mixing with antifreeze or replacing it, then you act at your own peril and risk. If cars produced in the 70s - 80s can still withstand this, then with delicate modern foreign cars you will not end up with problems after such experiments.
Which water to choose - plain or distilled
Ideally, distilled water will dilute the antifreeze. It does not contain magnesium and calcium salts. Under no circumstances should tap water be poured, as it will adversely affect the parts of the power unit and its cooling system. If antifreeze is diluted with ordinary hard water, then a precipitate may form in it. You can use ordinary tap water, but only if its hardness does not exceed 5 mEq / l. For comparison, let's say that the hardness of water from a well without an installed softening system reaches 20 meq / l. If you do not have the ability to determine the hardness of the water, you just need to dilute the antifreeze with water in a small container, if no sediment appears, then it can be poured.
Does water cool the engine and how does it affect the engine?
Previously, water was the main coolant in cars. Antifreeze has replaced it for a long time in cooling systems, but water also has its advantages. What qualities must a fluid have in order to be used to cool the engine? Firstly, it should not freeze and boil over the entire operating temperature range of the power unit, as well as foam and ignite. Secondly, do not adversely affect the materials of the cooling system parts, be stable during storage and operation. Thirdly, have a high heat capacity and calorific value. Distilled water and antifreezes are more consistent with all of this.
Water has many positive properties: it is available, has a high heat capacity, is non-flammable, non-toxic, perfectly pumpable at positive temperatures. There are also disadvantages: its freezing threshold starts at 0 ° C, increasing in volume at the same time, has a low boiling point and forms scale. But it is quite applicable in a cooling system at positive temperatures. In this case, it is very important to study its properties in order to avoid harmful consequences.
Firstly, scale formation. How hard the water is, you can find out without special equipment. It is enough just to lather your hands in water. If the water is soft, then the foam will be stable, in hard water the foam will quickly fade away and leave a sediment. On modern machines with a thermostat, it is impossible to use water in the cooling system, as this threatens with serious troubles. After starting the engine to cold, water begins to circulate past the radiator.
With a decrease in temperature, it takes more time to warm up, so the radiator may defrost. If the vehicle is used in harsh or extreme conditions, the water may boil.
The refrigeration systems are completely sealed, and the liquid in them is under negligible pressure, approximately 0.05 MPa. It is supported by a steam valve in the radiator cap. In new models of cars, the pressure has increased 2.5 times and is maintained thanks to a valve in the expansion tank.
Water cannot protect metal from corrosion. The engine of a car at the present time in modern cities is forced to work at higher temperatures. At the same time, the lowered bonnet lines, of course, increase the aerodynamic characteristics of the car, but limit the size of the installed radiator. This leads to the fact that the antifreeze must have a boiling point above 100 ° C. If the amount of coolant in the radiator has decreased, you can refill the cooling system with water.
Is it possible or not?
So, as you already understood, antifreeze can be diluted with water. There is nothing wrong with this, but only there are certain nuances. The main one is not to overdo it with proportions. Antifreeze itself is more than 2/3 water, and therefore even a small amount will not do much harm. The main thing is to remember the percentage.
You can not "overdo it" with water also because of the anti-corrosion properties of "anti-freeze". They can either go down a lot, or come to naught altogether. Water inside the cooling system can cause rusting of pipes, adapters, valves and other metal parts. And where there is rust, there are deposits that, over time, can clog the passages of metal pipes, and this is already a serious problem. Even if this does not happen quickly, if there is no point in taking risks, then it is better to abstain altogether.
Adding water in winter
Let's say the hose coming from the expansion tank is torn, a lot of antifreeze has leaked out. You eliminated the leak, but decided not to buy antifreeze yet in order to level it up to the nominal mark, and added water. In the summer it will work, but in the winter it’s better not to experiment like that.
The concentration of such "non-freezing" can drop so low that the liquid will simply freeze already at -10 degrees. And this can lead to rupture of the furnace radiator and the power unit, as well as damage the pipes. Therefore, with the onset of frost, do not pour water into antifreeze, but on the contrary, add a larger anti-freeze concentrate. This will raise the temperature threshold of the cooling system.
Adding water in summer
In summer, it is allowed to dilute antifreeze with water, but it is only better to do this only when absolutely necessary. Cars built before the 80s can use distilled water as a coolant. But, as mentioned above, the main thing is not to overdo it, as this is fraught with very negative consequences. For cars of a younger model, this procedure can be fatal.
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The main unit of any vehicle is its internal combustion engine (ICE), gasoline or diesel. How well it performs will determine the reliability of your vehicle while traveling. And the good work of the power plant is ensured by the presence of high-quality motor lubricant in the required volume. Every motorist must know how to add oil to the engine if its level is below the minimum required.
Why is engine oil so necessary for an engine?
The lubricating composition performs several important functions, without which the motor will not work. It should be borne in mind that the engine lubrication is subject to very heavy loads. Temperature drops inside the internal combustion engine sometimes reach several hundred degrees. It should be borne in mind that such conditions should not affect the basic functional properties of the lubricant mixture. What benefits does engine oil bring to the engine?
Lubrication has many power-saving functions. That is why it is necessary to periodically add a certain amount of oil to the engine so that its level is never below the minimum.
The consequences of excess and lack
The rule states that the amount of oil when the engine is warmed up should be at the middle level of the dipstick, between the min and max marks. How to measure it correctly? You need to warm up the engine to operating temperature by making a short trip. Then stop the car on a level place, turn off the engine and wait 15–20 minutes until the oil composition drains into the crankcase. After that, open the hood, remove the dipstick and wipe it dry with a cloth. Then it is inserted again, and the level is measured, which is already clearly visible at the edge of the oil strip. If this edge is located between the min and max marks, you do not need to worry, continuing to operate the car. But if he goes outside this zone, there can be serious trouble.
Overflow
It seems to many novice motorists that the more lubricant in the motor, the better it works. Some try to fill the liquid exactly up to the max mark and above, believing that "you cannot spoil the porridge with butter." Can oil be topped up to this level? The answer will be unequivocal - no. The first symptom is a deterioration in the cranking of the power unit. The oil mixture has a certain viscosity, and its excess amount further increases the resistance to any movement. Therefore, there is an increased fuel consumption. This is far from the most unpleasant phenomenon. Other consequences begin to show.
The expansion of the oil fluid at high temperatures creates pressure on gaskets, oil seals, and other sealing parts above normal. Gradually, they begin to squeeze out, resulting in lubricant flowing. This especially applies to the crankshaft oil seals, to the bearings of which lubrication is supplied under pressure. As a result, the entire engine compartment becomes dirty, and the oil seals will have to be changed. Other symptoms:
- difficult starting of the engine in frosty weather;
- the formation of an excessive amount of carbon deposits, the appearance of coke inside the cylinder-piston group, the "occurrence" of rings;
- foaming of the composition, the result of which will be oil starvation of engine parts.
As you can see, the consequences of an overflow can be catastrophic.
Underfilling
Lack of sufficient lubricant is also detrimental to the powertrain. Oil starvation of parts occurs. Lubrication either does not come at all, then they work "dry", or comes in completely insufficient quantities, unable to form a high-quality oil film between the contacting surfaces.
Another consequence is the formation of air locks inside the lubrication system, which will run through the channels. The crankshaft will begin to rotate without lubrication, chips will form, which will surely get into the oil. The crankshaft counterweights will not be able to scoop and spray lubricant on the cylinder walls, so the pistons will jam sooner or later. That is why it is necessary to regularly check the level of the lubricant, and then top up if necessary.
How to add lubricant to the inside of the engine
How to add oil to the engine if its level is below the minimum? To begin with, in the trunk of a car there should always be a liter canister with exactly the same oil that is inside the engine.
It is highly undesirable to mix different oil compositions. This can only be done as a last resort, when there is no other way out, then immediately drain the cocktail and fill the motor with a normal fresh composition.
If the engine fluid being poured is very wasteful - for example, 1 liter per 1000 km of run, you should think about how to increase the high-temperature viscosity of the lubricant. Some manufacturers, for example KIA, offer to use a low-viscosity oil composition 0W20 for their new cars. For some time, its consumption will be normal, fuel consumption will be minimal. But as the run progresses, the gap between the parts will increase, which will lead to excessive grease burnout. Therefore, it will be necessary to switch to a higher viscosity. For example, an alternative would be a fluid with a viscosity of 5W30.
It is very easy to add oil to the inside of the motor. Open the hood and locate the grease filler neck. It is usually located above the cylinder-piston block of the engine. It may have an inscription indicating the desired viscosity of the lubricant mixture - for example, 5W-30. Or such an inscription: Oil Fill. After detection, the neck must be opened by unscrewing the cap. Next, you need to insert a funnel so as not to splash liquid on the engine. It is necessary to add oil in small portions, periodically measuring with a dipstick after each such action. Top up to a level that will be in the middle between the minimum and maximum mark - this is the best indicator.
Many novice drivers are concerned about how to pour oil into a car engine. This seemingly simple event has many pitfalls and it is not as easy to cope with it as it seems. Each engine has its own characteristics, and therefore there are a huge number of nuances that must be taken into account before filling in the lubricant.
Why add oil
High-quality engine operation is impossible without engine oil. This viscous substance has several main functions, providing:
- cleanliness of engine parts;
- ease of cold start of the engine;
- reliability of operation at the highest possible temperature of parts of the cylinder-piston group;
- heat removal from heated parts;
- lubrication of moving parts;
- neutralization of aggressive and corrosive compounds accumulating in the power unit.
Each of the points is handled by certain additives added to the oils to enhance their performance. Before filling the engine with oil, it is necessary to determine what type of fluid is right for it. Today there are a large number of motor lubricants, and within the framework of even one line you can find products with different parameters. So, mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic oils are produced. Each of them can be winter, summer or all-season. In addition, car manufacturers may recommend using a specific oil. Since different types of oils cannot be mixed, the first step is to find out which brand of lubricant is poured into the engine. This question must be answered by the employees of the dealership where the car was purchased, or its previous owner. If the truth is not known, you will have to completely change the oil. This procedure can be performed independently or contact a service station.
- for a new engine - synthetic oils of SAE class 5W30 or 10W30 (at any time of the year);
- for a used engine, but technically sound - SAE 10W40 in the warm season, 15W40 in winter and 5W40 all-season;
- for an old model with a used engine - SAE 15W40 in summer, 5W40 or 10W40 in the cold season, 5W40 regardless of the season.
It should be remembered that servicing engines of outdated designs does not provide for the use of modern synthetic oils, which is largely due to their increased penetration rate, as a result of which the rate of oil leakage through poorly fitted engine parts increases. Some inexperienced drivers wonder why they often have to add oil to the engine, while professionals approach this issue very responsibly. In some cars, the lubricant burns out very quickly, but not always an increased oil consumption indicates a malfunction of the power unit, just as prolonged use of the fluid does not indicate the absence of problems in the engine. In many cases, the consumption of fuels and lubricants depends on the type of engine and its volume. So, for small cars, a consumption of 1 liter per 1000 km is considered high, and for cars with a V6 or V8 power unit, it is the norm.
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How is the amount of lubricant in the motor determined?
Each owner of the "iron horse" can independently determine how much lubricant is in the engine and whether it is required to fill the oil. As a rule, the required amount of oil in the power unit is indicated in the technical documentation for the car. The liquid level is determined with the motor off or 10 minutes after it has completely stopped, or before starting. For the reading to be correct, the vehicle must be parked on a horizontally level surface.
Oil selection by performance
A special dipstick for measuring oil is included with each vehicle. As a rule, it is located at the front of the engine and is a thin metal bar with marked graduations. To remove the dipstick, you need to grasp the ring handle and pull it towards you. Then you should wipe the oil dipstick, lower it into the engine until it stops and pull it out again. The amount of lubricant in the motor is determined by the marks. If the oil reaches the upper mark, there is no need to add fluid. If it approaches the bottom, the engine needs lubrication. Experienced experts recommend checking the oil level at least once every 7 days. Each car model requires a certain amount of engine lubricant. So, when preparing the oil for filling, it should be taken into account that domestic cars need about 4 liters of liquid, foreign cars with an engine volume of up to 2.4 liters - up to 4 liters, and cars with larger engines - over 4 liters. So, the oil level has been checked and you can start adding lubricant to the engine.
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Algorithm for filling oil into the engine
Where to pour the oil? For this, there is a special oil filler neck located above the engine block. It can be distinguished by the Oil Fill mark or by the manufacturer's recommended oil type designation (e.g. 5W40). Remove the cap from the neck, wipe it with a rag and set it aside.
Then a crow should be inserted into the resulting hole and gently pour in no more than 1 glass of oil. When the liquid falls into the pan (this will happen after 15-20 minutes), it is necessary to check the oil level with a dipstick. If it is not high enough, the procedure should be repeated. The dipstick must be wiped with a cloth for each measurement. A sufficient amount of lubricant in the motor will be signaled by a level approaching the maximum mark. After that, remove the funnel from the hole, close the neck with a lid and install the dipstick in its place.
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Complete engine oil change
In the case when the type of oil filled into the engine is unknown, a complete fluid change should be made. The main thing here is to do it right. Before adding new grease, the old one must be drained.
First of all, you should choose a place for the procedure. A special pit in the garage looks like an ideal option, but if there is none, a replacement can be made in the field or at a summer cottage. It is not recommended to change the oil with a cold engine - such a substance is too viscous and cannot be completely drained. To completely free the engine from old grease, you should warm up the engine and carry out the procedure 10 minutes after turning it off. In order to drain the oil, you need to put the car on the hand brake and raise it with a jack. In no case should the car roll when there is a person under it, so you can insure the hand brake with heavy bars or cinder blocks, supporting the wheels with them. In addition, you will need to prepare:
- an old bowl or basin;
- a bottle of 3 or 5 liters;
- wrench;
- oil filter.
The process of draining the old oil is quite simple: you need to find the engine drain hole on the bottom, place a basin under it and unscrew the plug. It is advisable to wear gloves to prevent hot oil from burning your hands. It will take about 30 minutes for the liquid to drain completely into the bowl. This time can be taken by replacing the oil filter. Over time, it is necessary to tighten the drain plug (this should be done very carefully so that the thread does not curl under force), lower the jack and return the car to a horizontal position. The oil can now be filled. The procedure is similar to that described above.
After that, you need to check how the engine works. To do this, you need to start the car and look at the sensor on the dashboard. If the sensor lights up, but goes out after 5-10 seconds, the oil has got to the right place and is ready to go. Experienced drivers recommend driving a car for several kilometers and checking the lubricant level again (10-15 minutes after stopping the engine). If the readings have not changed, everything is in order. If the volume of oil has decreased, there is a leak somewhere: perhaps the drain cover is not tightly closed or the pipes are leaking. It is necessary to leave the car overnight, and in the morning to look under the bottom. An oil puddle will signal a leak. Timely refilling and replacement of engine oil will guarantee the trouble-free operation of the engine in both new and used cars.
