Why 100% Antifreeze is not good
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=25412
Printed Date: 28-June-2024 at 01:37
Topic: Why 100% Antifreeze is not good
Posted By: Jim525d
Subject: Why 100% Antifreeze is not good
Date Posted: 26-December-2005 at 13:07
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Hi All The following has been inspired by some recent posts about cooling systems and the cold weather. 100% Antifreeze is not good because 1. Cost 2. 100% ethylene glycol has a freezing point about the same as 25% solution. http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/680.html - Link here 60% is the best WRT freezing point, IIRC BMW specify 50%. Jim |
Replies:
Posted By: shogun
Date Posted: 26-December-2005 at 22:46
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Thanks, good info. I assume many people beleive the more the better. In this case it will not help. 50% is best accdg to BMW specification and I stick to that. And the original BMW coolant! ------------- E32 750iL,E36 M3 http://twrite.org/shogunnew/topmenu.html" rel="nofollow - 7 Series Tech Tips |
Posted By: 540 V8
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 10:25
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Also, too much coolant can also cause hotter running temperatures because it had the opposite effect if you have too much. 50/50 is the one! ------------- 
Current:E34 540i Touring 6 speed manual(Mpower bodykit & suspension)& Chrysler Voyager 3.3 V6 auto Previous:E34 530iSE AC Schnitzer suspension. E28 525e auto-Standard |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 10:27
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KEY POINT!!! more than 60% antifreeze can damage alloy components!! ------------- 
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Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 10:46
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Also by it's very nature antifreeze seeks out leaks so by running a higher concentration of antifreeze you are more likely to have a leak. I topped up my system with pure antifreeze so I tipped the ratio to over 50% and I have started having leaks. Hopefully I will install a new water pump, thermostat and thermostat housing tomorrow, complete with a coolant drain flush and change with 50-50 mix. Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
Posted By: gtmoore
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 11:03
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Rather you than me....bit too chilly for outside jobs at the moment! And if your radiator is like mine it's only a quarter turn on the drain plug. Don't do what I did and have your head right underneath it when you finally figure out how the plug comes out!! ------------- Gavin Current: E39 525iSE Auto 2001 Previous: E34 530iV8 Auto 1994 E34 520iSE Auto 1994 E34 520iSE Manual 1990 |
Posted By: Andrew Rolland
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 11:18
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Thanks for the tip! I'll remember than when I'm lying flat on my back on freezing cold concrete staring up at the drain plug! Needs doing though as I have a leak I need to sort out with a new stat housing. Andrew ------------- Be exclusive and drive a Petrol 5 Series! Current '13 62 F10 535i MSport Auto Previous '04 04 E60 545i SE Auto '03 53 E60 545i SE Auto (Stolen) '98 S E39 523i SE Auto |
gtmoore wrote:Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 11:19
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watch the drain on the block - damn thing stays hot for hours! burnt my arm to the shoulder on that bl00dy thing! -------------
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Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 12:58
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good advice yet a again 50 /50 what the best anti freeze to use or does it not matter ????????  -------------    
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Posted By: e34-520iSE
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 14:14
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Isn't there a gadget you can buy that checks your antifreeze mixture? Might be handy when "topping up" Cheers, Shaun ------------- Self confessed madman 1990 Brilliantrot 2 ltr M20. Air force definition of explosives: A loud noise followed by the sudden going away of what was once there a second ago. |
Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 14:17
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my dad has one of those antifreeze tester things afaik, its a big glass tube with a squeezable balloon on the end of a rubber pipe - you dip the pipe into the antifreeze, unsqueeze the baloon and it sucks up the liquid into the tube, then you read off the guage to work out the strength ------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Posted By: ps003
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 14:38
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The "tester thing" in question called a hydrometer, only cost a few quid from any decent motor factors and they seem to work quite well, I checked mine against some pre-mixed 50/50 and it read spot on. As for what antifreeze to use, I'd stick with the BMW recommended stuff, apparently it's got the correct corrosion inhibitors in it as well. Paul ------------- 
Current - 2001 E39 530i Sport Auto Previous - 1995 E34 525i SE Manual |
Posted By: bmwcrazy
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 14:46
nice one paul cheers 
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Posted By: dutch
Date Posted: 06-January-2006 at 17:49
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Antifreeze protects the cooling system against both freezing and boiling over. When used at normal strength (50% antifreeze, 50% water), Never use straight antifreeze in a cooling system. Always mix it with at least 50% water. Most antifreeze is 95% ethylene glycol (EG). Ethylene glycol never wears out but the corrosion inhibitors do. That's why antifreeze should be changed every two years For the environmentally concerned, propylene glycol (PG) antifreeze is also available at slightly higher cost. PG antifreeze is less toxic than ethylene glycol.but the tester you mention will not do both acuratly. hope this helps. ------------- e39,1200 bandit cooper S, Z3 topazbleu |
Posted By: sleeper
Date Posted: 08-January-2006 at 14:21
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Antifreeze - I use the same stuff they put in tractors (I get it from an agricultural supplier- they do bulk) made by Redline, who are well know for cooling products. -------------
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Posted By: rubberknees50
Date Posted: 08-January-2006 at 15:45
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Hmmm, I know my 528 ok as it had duff rad on arrival and I had to drain and refill, but will have to check the 735.... I have a tester like a small plastic hypodermic with several different coloured small balls inside. Idea being sucks some mix up in it and the more balls float the more antifreeze in mix. Not sure if it shows correct mix, but I wouldn't put more than recommended amount in! Good topic this time of year! ------------- IanT E28 528, E23 735 
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