Is it bad to mix antifreeze with tap water?
While customers love 50/50 antifreeze for top-off, for flush and fills, buying concentrated and mixing yourself is the most cost-effective way to go. Using tap water, which is full of silicates, minerals, and other corrosion-causing garbage, is the worst possible thing to do over time.
What to do when your water pump is not circulating coolant?
When you don’t feel the surge of coolant, squeeze the upper radiator hose again, and while an assistant depresses the accelerator to increase engine speed, release the radiator hose. If you still don’t feel the surge of coolant through the upper radiator hose, most likely coolant is not circulating.
What kind of antifreeze should I put in my system?
If you are unsure what antifreeze is in your system, the antifreeze is brown, an off-color from what is recommended, or what has been put in is an HOAT “all makes” antifreeze, the best option is to plan a flush as soon as possible. Lastly, we need to discuss water, because it’s actually not the easy part!
What was antifreeze like in the old days?
In the older days of cars (by older, referring to anything pre-1990) antifreeze was green, you mixed it with tap water – 50/50, and you called it a day. Today, times have changed, with antifreeze every color of the rainbow and people insisting certain things you can – and cannot do.
When you don’t feel the surge of coolant, squeeze the upper radiator hose again, and while an assistant depresses the accelerator to increase engine speed, release the radiator hose. If you still don’t feel the surge of coolant through the upper radiator hose, most likely coolant is not circulating.
Can a sutck closed thermostat cause a water pump failure?
A sutck closed thermostat will block coolant circulation and overheat the engine, as well. One way to check for worn out or failed pump bearing is to check for water pump shaft movement. 1. With a faulty bearing, you can often hear a squealing, howling, or sometimes a grinding noise coming from the front of the engine.
Where to look for antifreeze in a radiator?
Twist the radiator cap off of the radiator once the engine is cool and observe the level of antifreeze in the radiator by looking through the radiator cap opening. The antifreeze level should be approximately one inch from the top of the radiator.
What to do if your radiator leaks from the water pump?
If the leak comes from the water pump, the problem is more of an inconvenience rather than a major undertaking, as the radiator will have to be periodically replenished with antifreeze to prevent the engine from overheating.