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Waterless Coolant

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:03 pm
by tommyt
Can anyone confirm what spec the BMW factory coolant is? is it 50/50?

Just wondering if there would be any major benefits of running the 3.0d on waterless coolant?

Re: Waterless Coolant

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:11 pm
by X5Sport
50/50 sounds right.  The only reference I can find is See BMW Fluids Document.  It's a pdf.  Open it in 'Protected mode' if using the latest Reader XI and it's 71-pages long.......it does open, but may have report and error in it.

The only thing I can think of about running on 100% coolant is that it is more viscous than water so may affect economy due to engine drag. 

You won't need cover down to -50C (or whatever 100% will protect down to) unless you're expecting a hard winter  :o  :P

Richard

Re: Waterless Coolant

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:14 pm
by Steamyrotter
[quote="tommyt"]
Just wondering if there would be any major benefits of running the 3.0d on waterless coolant?
[/quote]

I take it you also watched the TR6 on Wheeler Dealers then???

Looked good and should be OK for it, but not seen full spec on the stuff though..

Re: Waterless Coolant

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:37 pm
by X5Sport
Just found this statement on a performance car  website.....


Radiator coolant is actually a glycol (may be mix of various glycols) which lowers the freezing point of liquid and increases the boiling point of water, so by adding coolant you make sure that water does not convert to steam with engine heat and remains in liquid form to carry away heat.
Glycols may not be very efficient in heat transmission so 100% radiator coolant is not recommended.


There seems to be quite a lot of debate on whether or not to use 100% mix.  Another site talked of the 'coolant' actually being the water, and the additives (labelled possibly unhelpfully as coolant) were for the comments above plus corrosion inhibitors.

It's as hot a debate as changing the transmission fluid!!  I was very surprised.

Re: Waterless Coolant

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 3:23 pm
by tommyt
[quote="Steamyrotter"]

I take it you also watched the TR6 on Wheeler Dealers then???

Looked good and should be OK for it, but not seen full spec on the stuff though..
[/quote]

Yes caught it on WD the other night.

The principles all sound great, my only concern would be that there will be measures in place in most modern engines to deal with high pressure in the system. If the pressure remains low due to the nature of the waterless coolant could it possibly have an adverse effect on these?

Re: Waterless Coolant

Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 5:09 pm
by weirdfish
The old saying of, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" comes to mind.
How long have we been using an anti-freeze mix without doing any harm, as long as it's the correct strength for your vehicle then stick with what you know, and at the same time save a few bob.
And the mug that let Mike Brewer have that TR6 for 6K after asking 8.5k wants his bloody head read.

Re: Waterless Coolant

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:59 am
by tommyt
[quote="weirdfish"]

And the mug that let Mike Brewer have that TR6 for 6K after asking 8.5k wants his bloody head read.
[/quote]

:))
Indeed what a plonker

Re: Waterless Coolant

Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:09 pm
by Steamyrotter
I only really watch it to marvel at Ed's hair.....

:p