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maireeka

Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 299 Location: North Alabama
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 8:56 am Post subject: coolant/backfiring |
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totally unrelated questions.
1. If my coolant res. needs topped off, do I have to use coolant or can I just put a little water in there? It's not dangerous, the car cools off very well, it just needs a little more.
2. I get a little backfiring when I get off the throttle when revving/driving/anytime. It's real subtle, but needs to be fixed. Is ignition timing the most likely culprit? _________________ 1977 Porsche 924 red and READY! |
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numbbers
Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1910 Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:17 am Post subject: |
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As long as it is not below frezzing, water is a better coolant than antifreeze. In your climate, it probably doesn't get below freezing very often, so, toping off with water should not cause a problem. The water will quickly mix with the coolant, and not dilute it much. _________________ 1980 924 Turbo |
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maireeka

Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 299 Location: North Alabama
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:33 am Post subject: |
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cool, so it's okay even to use straight water during the summer? _________________ 1977 Porsche 924 red and READY! |
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tj924

Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 957 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 10:41 am Post subject: |
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| maireeka wrote: | | cool, so it's okay even to use straight water during the summer? |
Yes, but according to others on the board, use distilled water rather than tap water (minerals from the water will get deposited in the engine) or demineralised (will pull minerals out of the metal in the engine).
Also bleed the system again any time you remove the cap (remove the cap & bleeder plug, top off with water or whatever, replace the cap, start the engine & run at around 1500 rpm until coolant is running steadily from the bleeder hole, replace the bleeder plug).
I've also seen a few people talk about "water wetter", but I've never used it. _________________ TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual |
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Smoothie

Joined: 01 Jan 2003 Posts: 8032 Location: DE (the one near MD, PA, NJ)
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:26 am Post subject: |
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I wouldn't go with straight 100% water except in an emergency. Antifreeze also serves as a coolant and raises the boiling point above waters' usual 100°C/212°F. Approx. 30%-50% of what's in the cooling system should be antifreeze/coolant, depending on your climate. Adding water only to an antifreeze-water mix is generally ok to do, but it dilutes the mix, so obviously if it's done too much you'll lose some of the boilover protection. _________________ "..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."
'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox |
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tj924

Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 957 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 11:36 am Post subject: |
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| Smoothie wrote: | | Approx. 30%-50% of what's in the cooling system should be antifreeze/coolant, depending on your climate |
The coolant I use recommends 25% coolant to 75% water. _________________ TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual |
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Roger

Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1235 Location: Cordova, TN
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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If it just needs to be toped of then water is fine. However you do not want to dilute the mix too much, but a little water wont hurt.
Backfire is usually caused by a lean fuel mixture _________________ 1981 924 NA
Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you
still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. |
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924zombie

Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 52 Location: cold old UK
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Anti-freeze is also a corrosion inhibitor,if you have your car with just water in the cooling system it starts to corrode the aluminium head. |
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