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[duggs]

For some time, I've been loosing water, either to an air blokeage or a leak inconjunction with a "hot coolant" smell quite often when I stop.

BUT...as she's lost coolant I've topped it up with neat water and she now seems to retain water/coolant almost perfectly.

My question is this....If the original mix of anti-freeze (not summer coolant) and water was wrong, in favor of the anti-freeze, would the coolant drop excessively..is the mix of anti-freeze/water THAT important ?

[TheBoy]

For some time, I've been loosing water, either to an air blokeage or a leak inconjunction with a "hot coolant" smell quite often when I stop.

BUT...as she's lost coolant I've topped it up with neat water and she now seems to retain water/coolant almost perfectly.

My question is this....If the original mix of anti-freeze (not summer coolant) and water was wrong, in favor of the anti-freeze, would the coolant drop excessively..is the mix of anti-freeze/water THAT important ?

Yes, 50:50 mix is utterly critical.

[duggs]

OOOOOOOOOOO and if it's wrong would the coolant level drop.

[TheBoy]

OOOOOOOOOOO and if it's wrong would the coolant level drop.

Coolant level can only drop if the coolant can escape - its supposed to be a sealed system.

[albitz]

have you checked your heater bypass valve  :question

[Bandit127]

I used to alternate top ups between neat water and neat antifreeze. Bit easier than pre-mixing if you are terminally lazy. Until I fixed my heater bypass valve of course, not a drop since...

The antifreeze not only lowers the freezing point of water, it proves anti corrosion properties. It also lubricates the water pump, this is vital.  

[duggs]

Yes...the HBV seems to be fine...The level seems to stay constant now that I've got it at about 50/50. I think I had WAY to much anti-freeze in her before, .prior to that I had to top her up every day or so.

[Darth Loo-knee]

I believe anti freeze finds leaks, i don't really know why :-?

But it does sound you have a leak to find mate.....

If you cant see any water on the floor, you say the HBV seems fine I would suggest its in the "V".... Coolant Bridge, Oil Cooler Plate or Thermostat Housing.. I only say that cause the water could be evapurating with the heat from the engine

[TheBoy]

I used to alternate top ups between neat water and neat antifreeze. Bit easier than pre-mixing if you are terminally lazy. Until I fixed my heater bypass valve of course, not a drop since...

The antifreeze not only lowers the freezing point of water, it proves anti corrosion properties. It also lubricates the water pump, this is vital.  

Is it difficult to keep 5l always mixed ready like I do  :-/

[duggs]

thanks for all yer help and advice chaps...Will keep an eye on it over the next couple of weeks. She's going in for a service after that...

[Bandit127]

I believe anti freeze finds leaks, i don't really know why :-?

Lower surface tension - allows the mix to flow through the very tiny gaps in any "sealed" system that pure water doesn't. ..sort of.

Trust me, I look after 16 moulding machines each with about 100 water connections on each and the system runs a 20% mix at about 2.5 bar.

The good news is (for all of us) once you fix a leak it stays fixed - unless somethig catastrophic happens of course...

[ians]

Note HBV leaks can come and go dependent on whether you have AC on or off (or heater on min - max).   So if eg you have recently switched AC off that could be the reason you don't see the leak at the moment.

I also think you need to drain ,flush and refill the coolant system - you can't possibly know what mixture you currently have in there otherwise.

Drain and flush with pure water a few times, and then pour a full 5L can of neat antifreeze in there and then top up to the level with water.  (better to find/fix the leak first of course).   and do any further topups with a 50% mix.