What happens if you use water instead of coolant
is a question most car owners ask when considering cheaper options for coolant.
Using water instead of coolant has various advantages because it is affordable and widely available, and many people assume it performs the same function as antifreeze. However, putting water in your car’s engine might have significant effects.
This article will go through the function of coolants in automobiles and why you should never use water as a coolant.
JUMP TO TOPIC
What Happens if You Use Water in Place of Coolant?
If you use water in place of coolant, this might make your engine overheat. Thermal expansion may result in a broken engine block. When a car’s engine is hot, the water inside it is likewise hot, and the water expands as it warms up.
If you put water in an overheated vehicle, the rapid increase in volume could cause the cylinder head or engine block to crack. When the temperature drops lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water traveling through your engine’s cooling system instantly freezes.
Using regular water instead of coolant can cause catastrophic harm to your car’s engine if you restart it. Rubber hoses become brittle and split without cooling fluid, resulting in fluid loss. This causes the engine to overheat, thereby resulting in severe engine damage.
Cons of Using Water
The cons of using water in place of coolant are that water might freeze and severely damage your engine, and it is highly corrosive to metals in close contact with it. However, coolant has chemicals that protect water from freezing, keeping your engine running smoothly in cold weather conditions.
Here are some disadvantages of using water:
- It’s tough on the water pump and radiator seals.
- Water is ineffective as a coolant because it rapidly boils under pressure. Antifreeze has a lower boiling temperature than liquid water, which prevents it from scorching in hot temperatures. Water that boils over might harm your car’s cooling system and engine.
- It contains minerals that may be removed from the engine’s circulation by centrifugal force, potentially causing engine damage.
Pros of Using Water
Although it is not recommended, one pro of using water in place of coolant is that water can absorb a lot of heat before it boils. Thus, it may effectively dissipate heat and keep temperatures under control. Water is also one of the most abundant and reasonably priced commodities available.
Here are some advantages of using water:
- There is no need to open the radiator cap while flushing because there would be no pressure in the system.
- It is inexpensive and widely available.
- It is a good heat conductor and can assist in keeping your engine running at the proper temperature.
- There is no need for a warm-up. The engine of the vehicle is quickly ready for use.
- It is non-toxic to both humans and pets.
Using Coolant for Your Car
Coolant is a solution for regulating the temperature of internal combustion engines. This is accomplished by transmitting heat from the engine to the surrounding air. The coolant’s major components are water and ethylene glycol. Depending on the manufacturer, the percentage of each ingredient may differ.
Because combusting engines generate a lot of heat, they require engine coolant to keep them from overheating. Simple engine coolant, such as plain water, is commonly available and capable of transferring heat away from engines.
However, in many cases, it could be more effective. Adding antifreeze ingredients results in a combination that protects overheated engines significantly better than plain water coolant would. Some examples of coolant you can use include the following:
- Prestone 50/50 prediluted antifreeze/coolant
- Prestone cool 50/5 antifreeze
- Peak pkpb53 5/50 antifreeze/coolant
- Prestone max all vehicle ready-to-use antifreeze
What Is the Importance of Using a Coolant Instead of Water?
The importance of using a coolant instead of water is for keeping the engine at a constant temperature and for protecting the engine from rust and corrosion. This means the engine will be more efficient and last longer, and it can help keep your car cool in hot weather.
Here are some more importance of using coolant for your car:
- Coolant helps to manage engine temperature, which means it will last longer.
- It also keeps the engine from corroding and rusting.
- Coolant is also more effective than water at transferring heat, so it can help keep your automobile cool in hot weather.
How It Works
Coolant operates by transporting heat away from the engine and into the surrounding air. The main component of the coolant is water, which has a large heat capacity. This implies it can absorb a lot of heat before it boils.
The coolant also contains ethylene glycol. This reduces the freezing point of the water, which is significant because the engine must be cooled even in cold weather. When coolant absorbs heat from the engine, it begins to boil. The steam produced by the boiling water rises to the top of the car radiator.
A fan blows air over the steam at the top of the radiator. This causes the steam to condense into water and fall back to the bottom of the radiator. The coolant is then pushed back into the engine, absorbing additional heat, and the cycle begins.
What Is the Difference Between Coolant and Water?
The difference between coolant and water is that the heat capacity of coolant is greater than that of water, and the coolant’s components also enhance its boiling temperature. It will take higher heat energy to reach the same temperature that water can reach with far less energy.
Let us examine the differences between the two:
Viscosity
Water has a lower viscosity than coolant
. This means that water will flow more easily and not attach to surfaces as effectively as coolant. This can be a problem because coolant must stick to the engine surfaces to transmit heat away from the engine efficiently.
Water has a lesser viscosity than the coolant. Therefore, it does not cling to surfaces as well. This can be a problem because coolant must adhere to the engine surfaces to efficiently transmit heat away from the car engine.
Freezing Temperature
Coolants have freezing points ranging from -23.8 to -59.8 degrees Fahrenheit
. On the other hand, the freezing temperature of water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. This distinction is significant because your car’s cooling system requires coolant that will not freeze when the engine cools.
When water is used as a coolant and freezes, it expands and cracks the engine block. Although water has a greater freezing temperature than the coolant, it is still not cold enough to be used in extremely cold weather.
Boiling Temperature
Water has a boiling temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit, while coolants have boiling points ranging from 221 to 239 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when ethyl glycol coolant is mixed 50/50, the boiling point climbs to 266 degrees Fahrenheit, which is closer to the engine’s high working temperatures.
The engine reaches temperatures of almost 221 degrees Fahrenheit, which is greater than the boiling point of water.
Corrosion Defense
Water doesn’t provide any corrosion coolant
. However, coolant does. This is because coolant contains additives that protect the engine from rust and corrosion.
Water has no additives to protect against rust and corrosion, so it can cause more damage to your engine in the long run. Water itself is also corrosive to metals as it may lead to rust.
What Is the Proper Way to Add a Coolant?
The proper way to add a coolant is when the engine is in excellent condition. If you need to add coolant to your vehicle, do it correctly. Don’t remove the radiator cap if the engine is hot. This may result in significant injury.
It is the greatest time to add coolant when the engine is working well. Unscrew the radiator cap. After that, you can add the coolant. Make sure to fill it appropriately. Screw the radiator cap back on once you’ve finished.
Start the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes to allow the coolant to circulate. After that, turn off the engine and allow it to cool entirely. Recheck the coolant level, and add more if necessary.
FAQs
When Is the Best Condition To Use Water as a Coolant?
There is no best condition to use water as a coolant. Water is not the best substance to use as a coolant, but it is sometimes essential. If your automobile has overheated and you don’t have any coolant, you can use water as a temporary fix.
Pour the water into the radiator rather than the engine. Do not use distilled water because it lacks the minerals to safeguard your engine. Drive to the nearest service station once you’ve added the water so they may inspect your engine.
Are There Any Drawbacks To Using a Coolant?
Yes, there are some drawbacks to using a coolant
. The most significant disadvantage is that it can be pricey. You will need to replenish the coolant every few years, which can take time to accomplish oneself. Coolant must also be disposed of properly because it is toxic to animals.
If you must replace the coolant yourself, follow the instructions carefully.
Conclusion
This guide has explained the variety of things that happen when you use water instead of coolant. Let’s have a list of some of the essential points.
- You should not use water in place of coolant. When you use regular water or tap water in place of coolant, you risk your engine overheating.
- The pros of using water in place of coolant are water can absorb a lot of heat before it boils. Thus, it effectively dissipates heat and keeps temperatures under control.
- The cons of using water in place of coolant are water might freeze and severely damage your engine, and it is highly corrosive to metals in close contact with it.
- The difference between coolant and water is that the heat capacity of coolant is greater than that of water, and the coolant’s components also enhance its boiling temperature.
- The proper way to add a coolant is when the engine is in great condition. If you need to add coolant to your vehicle, do it correctly.
Water is not the ideal cooling medium for your engine, as it is less effective than coolant and can damage your engine if used for an extended period of time. If you use water as a coolant, take your car to the nearest service center so they can inspect your engine.
We love what we do, and it shows in everything we do and more. We share our knowledge, here on Ran When Parked.
- Best Exhaust Tip for Deep Sound: Top Picks for 2025 - May 3, 2025
- Best Clear Coat for Headlights Reviewed: Top Picks for Enhanced Visibility - May 3, 2025
- Best Car Coffee Table Books for Auto Enthusiasts - May 3, 2025