COUNTYOBS

351 93 f150... is it ok to run straight coolant In the radiator..not 50/50 mix

sylver91

Bad idea, straight antifreeze will gel up when cold and does not transfer heat. the water makes it thiner to be able to lubricates all the internal cooling parts and transfer the heat of the engine.

unit505

Never heard of anti-freeze gelling up. The water mix is what helps transfer the heat. Straight water cools better than 50/50 mix with antifreeze, but has no component to keep it from freezing. The more water, the less freeze protection. I don't live in a cold climate, so I'm no expert, just never heard of antifreeze gelling and losing it's lubricating properties. Maybe I'll learn something from this thread. Lol

BassAckwards

Yes it's okay to run pure water as long as it is reverse osmosified or purified in some manner that removes all minerals. The minerals will internally rust your radiator and your engine through the coolant passages. You will be able to transfer more heat with a pure water setup but if it ever drops to freezing you WILL blow freeze plugs.

I'm not sure where you live but I live in Central Texas and it still gets below freezing a few days out of the year and even in southern Texas.

unit505

Found this about running straight anitfreeze.

"The silicate corrosion inhibiting additives that are found in most "aluminum-safe" antifreezes can drop out of suspension, forming a gel or greenish goo that clogs the radiator and reduces heat transfer."

I've never read on a bottle of antifreeze where it tells you to shake well before use. Lol. Seems like if an additive can drop out of suspension in a concentrate, then there should be some warning on the container to shake it up before use. I've seen oil, paint and all kinds of lubricants separate after years sitting on a shelf.

At least this made me do some research.

scottnbarbi

50/50 coolant mix transfers more heat and raises the boiling temperature, lubricates properly. Straight coolant does gel over time, I've seen it happen. NEVER run straight coolant, it was not designed to be used that way.
Straight coolant = More expensive, less efficient.

GhostriderI

I would no run more than a 75/25 prefer a 50/50 mix the antifreeze/antiboil to water. It works best when mixed with water. The straight cooliant can cause a gum up in cold and will not build proper pressure in the cooling system and as Sylver91 said without the water it does not transfer heat correctly. Also the boilover protection is based on the 50/50 mix. If you must run straight something, use water

unit505

Scottnbarbi......Another good arguing point. Straight water transfers more heat according to all research and proven results. It does not have the lubricating properties and anti corrosion properties that antifreeze does. Here in Louisiana, I can run straight water with water wetter to gain the lubricating properties and raise the boiling point, but it is not an antifreeze. It has proven itself to run 20 degrees cooler in my truck than a 50/50 mix of antifreeze. Heat up a pot of antifreeze and heat up a pot of water both to 200 degrees. Cut off the flame and see which one cools down faster. Antifreeze holds heat much longer. In the cold, that is great. On a hot summer day, I want my straight water and water wetter. If I had the money. I'd be running "Coldfire" additive. Seen it used in the firetruck water tank to raise the boiling point of water for structural firefighting. Amazing stuff.

bubbabud

Simple answer no. read the lable on the antifreze container and the owners manual the will both tell you the same thing NO

COUNTYOBS

Ok the reason I ask is I drained and flushed the radiator and filled it with about 3/4 of a gallon of straight antifreeze. I didn't drain the block so that water is still there.. Should I be alright?