Coolant Turns in to Water after 3 Months of Non-Usage

johnruben · 24th June 2010, 17:44

Hi,

Earlier I had posted a thread of my car service with bimal and the its costing, from that day till today i had not used my Swift and today when i opened Bonet, i saw no Green colour thing in the coolant box, when i opened the lid i was shocked to see only water and I really dont know how it happened ?

Can someone tell me, what happened to the Green Liquid that was there 3 months back and now all i see is White Liquid which is water and No coolant ? Did it dry by itself, but i havent even started the engine for 3 months....

Please tell me is it safe to start engine and drive or should I call mechanics to home...please advice ?

scuderiamania · 24th June 2010, 17:52

Did you fill the tank partly with water and partly with coolant? It could have been that the coolant could have been denser and settled to the bottom of the tank. I dont think starting the car will cause any problems. Rather it should mix the coolant and water again.

BUT WAIT FOR EXPERTS TO REPLY. I AM NOT VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THESE MATTERS!

1self · 24th June 2010, 18:01

Do NOT worry. Even if it is all water it is NOT a problem. Start the car & let it warm up. Coolant is made up of mostly water.

johnruben · 24th June 2010, 18:49

Thanks for the reply guys,

I dont know how bimal filled Coolant and Water Ratio, but when i brought the car from Service, it was thick Green colour Liquid and now its Water.
Well as scuderiamania said, if all coolant has settled down somewhere in the Radiator tank, Its not a problem i guess since it will come up when engine starts and runs for few km.

@1Self Are you sure water alone is ok? because Company says Engine Coolant is must.

Thad E Ginathom · 24th June 2010, 19:01

Quote:

Coolant is made up of mostly water.

Water is the coolant.

It is not coolant + water: it is water + additive.

The colour comes from additives that do stuff like protecting your engine from rusting and, in the cold places, stopping the coolant from freezing, which could destroy the engine.

Quote:

Engine Coolant is must ...

It is the water that is most vital, but those additives are important for the condition of your engine.

A short time on water alone should do no harm, but the coolant mixture should indeed be as per the company's specification.

.

aargee · 24th June 2010, 19:18

Very very true; car engine coolant contains 99% water + some additives. See this for more information on engine coolant. If you're that skeptical, take it to service centre & ask them to top up/change engine coolant.

sdp1975 · 24th June 2010, 19:24

Why don't you check all fluid levels ( including battery), try starting the car ,take it for a round, and see if the coolant color is restored.

The additives can't have disappeared, must've settled down.

BTW, one of my friends coolant had leaked out from his accent and he has been driving on water for about 2 months now.

ElantraGT · 24th June 2010, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

The colour comes from additives that do stuff like protecting your engine from rusting and, in the cold places, stopping the coolant from freezing, which could destroy the engine.

To add to TEG sir explanation, It also helps in increasing the boiling point of water, there by helping to increase ability to transfer the heat from the engine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdp1975

The additives can't have disappeared, must've settled down.

Absolutely bang on. This is my thoughts too.

24th June 2010, 17:44	#1
johnruben BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 221 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	Coolant Turns in to Water after 3 Months of Non-Usage Hi, Earlier I had posted a thread of my car service with bimal and the its costing, from that day till today i had not used my Swift and today when i opened Bonet, i saw no Green colour thing in the coolant box, when i opened the lid i was shocked to see only water and I really dont know how it happened ? Can someone tell me, what happened to the Green Liquid that was there 3 months back and now all i see is White Liquid which is water and No coolant ? Did it dry by itself, but i havent even started the engine for 3 months.... Please tell me is it safe to start engine and drive or should I call mechanics to home...please advice ?
	() Thanks

24th June 2010, 17:52	#2
scuderiamania BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kolkata Posts: 363 Thanked: 175 Times	Did you fill the tank partly with water and partly with coolant? It could have been that the coolant could have been denser and settled to the bottom of the tank. I dont think starting the car will cause any problems. Rather it should mix the coolant and water again. BUT WAIT FOR EXPERTS TO REPLY. I AM NOT VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THESE MATTERS!
	() Thanks

24th June 2010, 18:01	#3
1self BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 629 Thanked: 334 Times View My Garage	Do NOT worry. Even if it is all water it is NOT a problem. Start the car & let it warm up. Coolant is made up of mostly water.
	() Thanks

24th June 2010, 18:49	#4
johnruben BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 221 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	Thanks for the reply guys, I dont know how bimal filled Coolant and Water Ratio, but when i brought the car from Service, it was thick Green colour Liquid and now its Water. Well as scuderiamania said, if all coolant has settled down somewhere in the Radiator tank, Its not a problem i guess since it will come up when engine starts and runs for few km. @1Self Are you sure water alone is ok? because Company says Engine Coolant is must.
	() Thanks

24th June 2010, 19:18	#6
aargee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: TSTN Posts: 6,354 Thanked: 10,052 Times	Very very true; car engine coolant contains 99% water + some additives. See this for more information on engine coolant. If you're that skeptical, take it to service centre & ask them to top up/change engine coolant.
	() Thanks

24th June 2010, 19:24	#7
sdp1975 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,716 Thanked: 1,278 Times View My Garage	Why don't you check all fluid levels ( including battery), try starting the car ,take it for a round, and see if the coolant color is restored. The additives can't have disappeared, must've settled down. BTW, one of my friends coolant had leaked out from his accent and he has been driving on water for about 2 months now. Last edited by sdp1975 : 24th June 2010 at 19:27.
	() Thanks