Coolant additive tests - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Dean · 2007-06-28, 08:53 PM

Mike, you might want to consider some water wetter for your cooling issue... Appears to work best with antifreeze mix.

http://www.turbomagazine.com/feature...t_results.html

rubberbiscuitt · 2007-07-09, 07:57 PM

i recently recommended alex to try it out. with the accuracy of a stock guage, he says: "water wetter cools about an 1/8th inch better"(than 50/50 mix).

Kevin M · 2007-07-09, 08:08 PM

No, it actually doesn't. It does do some cool things and it's a good idea to use it if you do more than put around town, but it does not actually lower bulk water temperatures. That would defy physics.

linky:
http://e30m3performance.com/myths/mo...ter_wetter.htm

Dean · 2007-07-09, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

No, it actually doesn't. It does do some cool things and it's a good idea to use it if you do more than put around town, but it does not actually lower bulk water temperatures. That would defy physics.

linky:
http://e30m3performance.com/myths/mo...ter_wetter.htm

OMG, it does too. http://www.redlineoil.com/products_c...coolantFlash=1

And if you want to get overly technical, read this PDF... http://www.redlineoil.com/whitePaper/17.pdf

By decreasing the surface tension of the fluid, it increases thermal efficiency and heat transfer which has the overall effect of lowering coolant system temperatures. There are no laws of Thermal Dynamics being violated.

Kevin M · 2007-07-09, 09:13 PM

I'm curious how improving the heat transfer from metal hotspots and localized boiling leads to reduced bulk temperatures.

Dean · 2007-07-09, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

I'm curious how improving the heat transfer from metal hotspots and localized boiling leads to reduced bulk temperatures.

RTFL

cody · 2007-07-09, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

I'm curious how improving the heat transfer from metal hotspots and localized boiling leads to reduced bulk temperatures.

I'm assuming Water Wetter makes the cooling system more efficient at removing heat. The fluid can then conduct heat from the motor out through the radiator more efficiently than before. Subsequently the entire system runs cooler (including the fluid).

However I don't think the stock temp gauge would show much of anything unless there were preexisting overheating issues. At least my stock gauge lacks much in the way of accuracy. Mine's never budged after warm up.

Why do I feel like I'm walking into a Kevin trap?

wrxkidid · 2007-07-09, 10:49 PM

because you are.

i agree with you though cody it seems to boost the efficiency therefore lowering water temps.

sperry · 2007-07-10, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

OMG, it does too. http://www.redlineoil.com/products_c...coolantFlash=1

And if you want to get overly technical, read this PDF... http://www.redlineoil.com/whitePaper/17.pdf

By decreasing the surface tension of the fluid, it increases thermal efficiency and heat transfer which has the overall effect of lowering coolant system temperatures. There are no laws of Thermal Dynamics being violated.

So, wouldn't a drop or two of dish soap achieve the same thing? (Not that I read the links, but soap works by reducing water surface tension, thus making water "wetter" and therefore better at cleaning)

cody · 2007-07-10, 08:36 AM

The foaming would be an issue I think.

knucklesplitter · 2007-07-10, 08:42 AM

The test car in that article had an inadequate cooling system and was prone to overheating. That's why they chose it. In a properly designed cooling sytem the thermostat regulates the water temperature and therefore the guage will read about the same with or without a water wetter. The magazine test does demonstrate that these "wetters" do work at least to some extent, and they are handy for overtaxed cooling systems.

Either way... I was convinced of their value about 15 or 20 years ago and have been using them since.

Kevin M · 2007-07-10, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

Either way... I was convinced of their value about 15 or 20 years ago and have been using them since.

I believe in them too. They do good things with no downside other than ~$8 per coolant cycle.

cody · 2007-07-10, 09:13 AM

So wait, I didn't walk into a Kevin trap?

Dean · 2007-07-10, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

So, wouldn't a drop or two of dish soap achieve the same thing? (Not that I read the links, but soap works by reducing water surface tension, thus making water "wetter" and therefore better at cleaning)

Good idea Scott, go ahead and try it!

RTFL

I think Cody is right on foaming. (Somebody please note on the calendar both that he may be right as well as contributed to a technical discussion)

They also have to deal with corrosion and a few other goodies at least in a water only mix.

sperry · 2007-07-10, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Good idea Scott, go ahead and try it!

RTFL

I think Cody is right on foaming. (Somebody please note on the calendar both that he may be right as well as contributed to a technical discussion)

They also have to deal with corrosion and a few other goodies at least in a water only mix.

My sarcasm was apparently too concealed by soap tech.

Kevin M · 2007-07-10, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody

So wait, I didn't walk into a Kevin trap?

I was too lazy to spring it properly.

Dean · 2007-07-10, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

My sarcasm was apparently too concealed by soap tech.

Yeah, that's it.

cody · 2007-07-10, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

I think Cody is right on foaming. (Somebody please note on the calendar both that he may be right as well as contributed to a technical discussion)

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

My sarcasm was apparently too concealed by soap tech.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

I was too lazy to spring it properly.

M3n2c3 · 2007-07-11, 07:25 PM

^ post of the day right there. Sad bananas ftw.

Kevin M · 2007-07-11, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3n2c3

^ post of the day right there. Sad bananas ftw.

Post of the day right there actually. For nominating a post from yesterday as post of the day.

M3n2c3 · 2007-07-11, 09:24 PM

Ok, it's the post of two days.

cody · 2007-07-11, 09:27 PM

M3n2c3 · 2007-07-11, 09:29 PM

me=

Out of curiosity, what is the stock subaru coolant solution?

100_Percent_Juice · 2007-07-11, 09:40 PM

Kevin M · 2007-07-11, 09:40 PM

50/50 unless they've started selling premix.

2007-06-28, 08:53 PM	#1
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Coolant additive tests Mike, you might want to consider some water wetter for your cooling issue... Appears to work best with antifreeze mix. http://www.turbomagazine.com/feature...t_results.html __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2007-07-09, 07:57 PM	#2
rubberbiscuitt EJ22 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: south lake tahoe Posts: 234 Car: L just push the brake pedal.	i recently recommended alex to try it out. with the accuracy of a stock guage, he says: "water wetter cools about an 1/8th inch better"(than 50/50 mix). __________________ www.monzospeed.com

2007-07-09, 08:08 PM	#3
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	No, it actually doesn't. It does do some cool things and it's a good idea to use it if you do more than put around town, but it does not actually lower bulk water temperatures. That would defy physics. linky: http://e30m3performance.com/myths/mo...ter_wetter.htm __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2007-07-09, 09:13 PM	#5
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	I'm curious how improving the heat transfer from metal hotspots and localized boiling leads to reduced bulk temperatures. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2007-07-09, 10:49 PM	#8
wrxkidid EJ205 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Incline Village, NV Posts: 1,232 Car: 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd. 5.7l Class: None :/ Cory, just put a 4g63 in it.	because you are. i agree with you though cody it seems to boost the efficiency therefore lowering water temps. __________________ Mosey down the road.

2007-07-10, 08:36 AM	#10
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	The foaming would be an issue I think. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-07-10, 08:42 AM	#11
knucklesplitter EJ205 Real Name: Matt Taylor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cousin-Fck, Carolina Posts: 1,475 Wish in one hand and sht in the other...	The test car in that article had an inadequate cooling system and was prone to overheating. That's why they chose it. In a properly designed cooling sytem the thermostat regulates the water temperature and therefore the guage will read about the same with or without a water wetter. The magazine test does demonstrate that these "wetters" do work at least to some extent, and they are handy for overtaxed cooling systems. Either way... I was convinced of their value about 15 or 20 years ago and have been using them since.

2007-07-10, 09:13 AM	#13
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	So wait, I didn't walk into a Kevin trap? __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-07-11, 07:25 PM	#19
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 1,888 Car: Current: 2014 Forester 2.5i Premium. Old: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP, long ago (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	^ post of the day right there. Sad bananas ftw. __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

2007-07-11, 09:24 PM	#21
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 1,888 Car: Current: 2014 Forester 2.5i Premium. Old: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP, long ago (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	Ok, it's the post of two days. __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

2007-07-11, 09:27 PM	#22
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	__________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2007-07-11, 09:29 PM	#23
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 1,888 Car: Current: 2014 Forester 2.5i Premium. Old: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP, long ago (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	me= Out of curiosity, what is the stock subaru coolant solution? __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential Last edited by M3n2c3; 2007-07-11 at 09:38 PM.

2007-07-11, 09:40 PM	#24
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	__________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Grassroots Motorsports ST and R tire tests	Dean	Technical Chat	4	2009-05-04 09:41 AM