Water only kill a water pump?

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Hi all. Having a little cooling trouble in my 94 GT. Well at least, according to the crummy factory gauge. It doesn't get hot, but it gets warm enough to make me want to fix the problem before it gets any worse. I was thinking of running straight water, or at least straight water with an additive. Problem is, I've heard a few people say that you can kill a water pump by doing this. They say that it needs something in the antifreeze for "lube" or something. Is this true? On top of hearing that from people, the only time I've ever tried straight water, my water pump died a couple weeks later. Coincidence? Maybe. But I'd like to be sure.

[VaderTT]

Yes I think, usually the coolant/additive (ice,waterwetter) has lubricant in it for the WP. You'd probably be good with water/water wetter, though.

[91CoupeMike]

They make a water pump lube for that.

[homealone]

In addition to being a lubricant, your antifreeze/coolant solution also has anti-corrosive properties.

Now granted, straight water will transfer heat more efficiently than a coolant solution, why do you think that's your problem?

[Baba Ganoush]

You are aware that antifreeze also reduces the boiling point of the water. It's not just to keep it from freezing.

[momo]

personally i wouldnt run no antifreeze in a car unless you know for sure it will never hit freezing temps.

but if you are running straight water i would make sure its distilled water and add something like Redline water wetter. water wetter is also good for lowering overall engine temp.

also, make sure you burp the system.

[TENGRAM]

You are aware that antifreeze also reduces the boiling point of the water. It's not just to keep it from freezing.

increases

[jnobles06]

Hi all. Having a little cooling trouble in my 94 GT. Well at least, according to the crummy factory gauge. It doesn't get hot, but it gets warm enough to make me want to fix the problem before it gets any worse. I was thinking of running straight water, or at least straight water with an additive. Problem is, I've heard a few people say that you can kill a water pump by doing this. They say that it needs something in the antifreeze for "lube" or something. Is this true? On top of hearing that from people, the only time I've ever tried straight water, my water pump died a couple weeks later. Coincidence? Maybe. But I'd like to be sure.

i tried running water only in my 95 cobra and it was running hot as well. its not the pump. the anti freeze makes the water thicker so it stays in radiator longer so it can dissipate more heat. add some antifreeze to factory specs and you'll be fine.

another reason it might read hot is if you battery is mounted in the trunk and your power wire is too small not allowing it to charge correctly and throwing off the reference voltage of the gauge.

i have experienced both of these. once both were corrected i had no more cooling problems.

[Cooter]

You are aware that antifreeze also reduces the boiling point of the water. It's not just to keep it from freezing.

you are aware of the word increases.

[Baba Ganoush]

increases

you are aware of the word increases.

Yeah that's what I meant, same difference lol.

[TENGRAM]

the anti freeze makes the water thicker so it stays in radiator longer so it can dissipate more heat.

That's really not right at all. Even if the antifreeze/water mix is marginally more viscous than just water it isn't going to make an impact on the time spent in the radiator. And even if it did it wouldn't matter.. because the cooling system is a system. There is always fluid in the radiator losing heat and always fluid in the block gaining heat. If anything, increasing the speed (and therefore turbulence) will actually help heat transfer.

[SMEGMA STENCH]

Now granted, straight water will transfer heat more efficiently than a coolant solution, why do you think that's your problem?

Well I don't think its the problem, just a possible solution. I take it the farther below zero it gets, the more antifreeze you need? I was thinking of running an 80/20 water/antifreeze mix. Or hell, 90/10 if I could get away with it in the winter. I don't know the minimum ratio that you can get away with in Texas.

another reason it might read hot is if you battery is mounted in the trunk and your power wire is too small not allowing it to charge correctly and throwing off the reference voltage of the gauge.

Hmm, I am having a little voltage trouble. Sometimes my voltage gauge needle sags down a little too low. I think maybe the alternator is dying, cause the battery is new. Maybe this could be the cause.

[dewayne6243]

LOL, so I guess lake water has anti-freeze in it for the water pumps in marine engines.

[turbos66coupe]

Antifreeze does have lubrication properties, it also raises the boiling point of water. In a street car that sees205 degrees straight water doesn't leave much room for error. Once water begins to boil it loses its cooling properties all together and the car will over heat. Cooling systems are like any other system in a car they need maint. Putting a bandaid on a fracture won't do anything but give you a false sense of security. Replace the thermostat with a stock replacement, check hoses for swelling or age, drain and fill cooling system with a 60/40 mix. See where that gets you. Its summer in texas now and running your ac with all the heat puts a lot of "strain" on the cooling system. Make sure to wash out your ac condenser and radiator coils with a hose just like you would on a home ac. Get all the dirt and road crap out of the coils . Also put a good radiator cap on id bet this will get you in the right direction

[jnobles06]

That's really not right at all. Even if the antifreeze/water mix is marginally more viscous than just water it isn't going to make an impact on the time spent in the radiator. And even if it did it wouldn't matter.. because the cooling system is a system. There is always fluid in the radiator losing heat and always fluid in the block gaining heat. If anything, increasing the speed (and therefore turbulence) will actually help heat transfer.

look man i am just saying that i was running 50/50 with no trouble switched to water thinking that it would run cooler and it ran hotter. switched back to 50/50 and problem solved. so what would be the scientific reason for this? don't knock my theory if you don't even have one.

and that's not true. more time in the radiator will prolong coolant contact with the internal lines on the radiator and thus allowing the cooling fins dissipate more heat, to an extent.

sounds like turbo66stang nailed it.