Water Wetter effectiveness? - Page 2

Fordzilla · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2012, 04:02 PM

I use it & it works. I have a 521 based on a 460 block & it hates hot weather. (anything 85 & over) Will get up to 230 in 2 stop signs or so. I added 4 bottles of water wetter & now it only gets up to 210 on a hot day. Will run at 180-190 when moving.

bobcowan · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2012, 06:38 PM

Surfactants like Water Wetter and Cool Ice is not a magic panacea for overheating. Take a look at what it is, and how it works.

Water forms a boundary layer on surfaces as it moves through the cooling system. Look at the meniscus in a glass of water or test tube. The boundary layer adheres to the metal surfaces, and moves slower than the rest of the fluid. It slows down the transfer of heat from a hot surface like the head into the coolant. By the same process, it also slows down the transfer of heat from the coolant to the radiator fins.

Surfactants break down the boundary layer and allow the heat (energy) to move from one place to another more easily. They can also eliminate the slow moving boundray layer. It will "pull" heat out of the heads and put it into the fluid. Then it will "push" heat out of the coolant and into the radiator fins, where it can dissipate into the atmosphere. Essentially, it makes the existing cooling system a little more efficient.

Where do most people put the sender for the temp gauge? In the engine outflow tract. That coolant will be carrying more heat (energy) than it did before, and make the gauge read hotter. If you want to know how well it works, put the sender in intake track, like just before the water pump. Or install a cylinder head temp gauge.

Benefits to be gained from a decreased cylinder head temp is a cooler intake charge, less detonation, more power, and increased efficiency. It will not make up for a bad tune, or a poorly designed cooling system.

bingo2 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2012, 08:30 PM

If you have a compressor, get one of these: UView: Product Detail, makes filling a cooling system a snap and absolutely no air will be left in the system. It will also test the system for leaks.

strictlypersonl · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2012, 09:40 AM

A 50/50 mix with a 15psi cap will boil at about 265F...

YerDugliness · #5 (**permalink**) 08-01-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

A 50/50 mix with a 15psi cap will boil at about 265F...

I had no idea it was that high...perhaps I have nothing to worry about, I have never seen the needle get higher than 235*F, even in the worst of heavy traffic and high ambient temperatures.

How much would you suppose my 15/85 glycol/water mix with the Water Wetter affects the boiling point?

...I should have long ago apologized for the thread drift in my posts and do so now

...it is just that 3 days before the OP posted his question I had gone through the effort to replace my coolant mix using the Water Wetter and had not noticed any improvement, so this thread could not have come along at a better time or been more germane to what was going on with my Cobra!

My sincere thanks to all who have made suggestions!

Cheers!

Dugly

Tom Wells · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2012, 01:51 PM

Here's another air pocket sucker for a bit less dough: Amazon.com: UVIEW 550500 AirLift II Economy Cooling System Refiller: Automotive

Dunno if it works but I just ordered one....

patf11 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-01-2012, 04:40 PM

"How much would you suppose my 15/85 glycol/water mix with the Water Wetter affects the boiling point?"

This chart might help answer question

Antifreeze table

strictlypersonl · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2012, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patf11

"How much would you suppose my 15/85 glycol/water mix with the Water Wetter affects the boiling point?"

This chart might help answer question

Antifreeze table

And this site has pressure/boiling point charts. (Note that they use absolute pressure, so a 15 psi cap will net 30 psi total.
Pressure and Boiling Points of Water

Mastiff107 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2012, 06:03 PM

I used the water wetter in my Cobra and dropped 10 degrees. It actually runs too cold now when it's colder than 60 outside (runs about 165). In my 38 Chevy (blown 350 in a real small engine space) it came with Evans Coolant, which although does not make engine run cooler, it will never boil over. Lot of hot rod folks use it. I'm happy with either and both seem to help problem, depending on which way you want to go.