Coolant

Rannoch · 29 Apr 2015 at 14:13

Hi guys

My engine temp suddenly shot up to the top and when I checked the coolant reservoir was empty. I called the garage that's around 2 miles away and was told to add plain water and take it along? Somebody else told me it should be a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze?

I don't want to damage my engine so will plain water be ok just to get me the 2 miles along the road?

Thanks

Clarkey · 29 Apr 2015 at 14:18

Yes of course.

muon · 29 Apr 2015 at 14:38

Yes it'll be fine. Water on its own won't do any harm.

Last I checked the weather is fairly warm as well.

Some coolants supposedly have anti-corrosive properties, but 1 journey isn't going to make any difference. Also cheap antifreeze probably isn't going to have that anyway.

Dis86 · 29 Apr 2015 at 14:42

You'll be fine using it in the short term :-)

paradigm · 29 Apr 2015 at 14:44

Hell, I once used stream water to get me home when my e36 325i started getting coolant system issues

Frozennova · 29 Apr 2015 at 16:59

Itll be fine.

It drove my Golf from Leeds to Northampton filled with diluted Robinson's squash. I'd got a slight coolant leak and managed to leave the expansion bottle cap on the scuttle panel after topping it up

Rannoch · 12 May 2015 at 10:44

HI folks

It was a leaking radiator, covered by warranty thankfully. Thanks for the replies.