Coolant to water mix?

JOHNNYNEGAUNEE

MEMBER
1989 FORD F-350

Heater problem
1989 Ford F350 V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

What happens when a 30% ethylene glycol/water mix freezes?
Specifically does such a mix have enough glycol in it to offset the expansion of the water or does it need to be stronger? Blockages from frozen fluids are not a concern, expansion is though. Vehicle is in cold storage, could see -30 F

4 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Use a hydrometer that measures how cold the antifreeze can handle. Should be a 50/50 mix.

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Thursday, December 27th, 2007 AT 11:47 AM

JOHNNYNEGAUNEE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Use of a hydrometer is how I arrived at the stated 30% number, what I really want to know is does the glycol contact enough during freeze-up to offset the water expansion. You see I'm 300 miles away from the vehicle just now and was unable and am still unable to fix this problem, it may take me a couple weeks to get back there.

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Thursday, December 27th, 2007 AT 4:29 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

If the system capacity is 18 quarts, 5.8 motor

You need about 9.5-10 quarts of straight antifreeze to get the temperature protection to surpass the -30 mark you stated.

In this case 9.5quarts /18 quarts = 53%

IF mixed this way it will not freeze at -30 therefore will not expand.

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Thursday, December 27th, 2007 AT 6:07 PM

JOHNNYNEGAUNEE