Safe To Run 100% Dilstilled Water?

[Tripz]

Hey everyone,

My RB has been having overheating problems for the pass year and during that time I've ran 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water. It would reach 90-95 C within 20 mins of normal driving (stop and go). I did a coolent flush, bleed the system, burped it to make sure there is no air bubbles and than ran 50/50 again and still cant bring the temperature down. I read that I could run 70% water and 30% antifreeze as water has a high heat capacity. I decided to run 100% distilled water with a bottle of Redline Water Wetter. I know that when winter hits I would have to flush out my radiator and put back coolent as I dont want it to freeze over winter. I noticed my water temperature is always in the range of 85-89 C. But during the pass couple days it was 30C outside and my water temperature reached 102 C one time during rush hour and between 95-99 C during normal driving. My question is, is it safe to run 100% distilled water with water wetter instead of antifreeze and water mixture?

[themadscientist]

Have you tried a new thermostat? RB20s run hot, you should really think about a better radiator.

[lazyboi444]

The radiator may have trapped air pockets that regular bleeding won't get out... If thatas the case you may have to get it Vacuum Bleed. Thats jus one fix. Whats your Fan setup like?

[DJButton]

I hate cooling these pigs... I need to buy a real radiator and stop using stock KA rads though...

I suggest a coolant flush and a new t-stat possibly, what are you using for rad and fans?

[Tripz]

I'm running a Koyo rad with dual 10" pushers. I'm hearing a lot of mixed advices on whether it would be better to run 50/50 mix or 100% water. Which one would provide better cooling?

[themadscientist]

regardless of whether it would or would not cool better don't run 100% water. The antifreeze, and I would hope water wetter as well, provides lubrication to the water pump and prevents corrosion throughout the system.

[coreansurfer]

i run stock ka rad and 2 fal's with my 25 and i never overheat.

[themadscientist]

25s run cooler. I think they might have bigger water passages or something in the head than the 20. I can tell which engine is in a Skyline just by touching the hood, it's that big of a difference.

[RB20DETodd]

run 100% water with 2 bottles of water wetter for the summer

[themadscientist]

that wouldn't be 100% water.

[themadscientist]

I'll do that instead Todd.

[blurrbosi]

Run 100% water in mah 25 sometimes...

Run whatever works man... You might need to swap out that t-stat...(takes 5 min dude... just do it... $6.99 BTW)

[l0nestar]

Run whatever works man... You might need to swap out that t-stat...(takes 5 min dude... just do it... $6.99 BTW)

Or move the decimal point one place to the right for the Nismo unit.. *rolls eyes* Yeah, I probably should have just purchased a Z32 unit and saved $60. Oh well.

Sounds like your T-stat is flaking out. Also, like TMS said, you _NEED_ to run something to help with lubrication. also, a total 50/50 mix is near perfect for running year-round. Anti-Freeze (glycol) works the best in a 50/50 mix. For the summer I guess you could try distilled / de-ionized water with 1 or 2 bottles of water-wetter. No guarantees though.

[Cpt_Impossible]

zerothread/262601

Heres my writeup. Read first ask later.

[BoostFab]

i advice against water; the iron will rust faster; let alone other components in the cooling system.

definately try a new thermostat...

[wawazat8402]

Might give this a shot.



You can buy it from SPL Parts.

[Tripz]

Wow thanks for all those great advices. I will definitely try a new t-stat along with a mix of antifreeze and water.

[mestizo]

Do not run water only! The reasons you run antifreeze/water mix is so that 3 things happen, 1 lubrication otherwise rust and excesive wear will happen. 2 boiling point raised, think about it when water boils what happens to it? 3 freezing point lowered, if the water freezes your block is screwed. If you're having issue cooling it try some other ratio of mixing or other antifreeze/coolant types. It also myight be an issue with the size or placement of your radiator.

[Imissmyturbo]

I ran 100% water and it caused alot of corrosion in my RB25. It would be good to run water wetter and then a 75/25% mix of water/coolent. Water will conduct heat better then coolent and is more effective at removing it. Make sure you have good airflow over the radiator. I have always used stock KA radiators (100% metal replacments)