2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Coolant Question....How Do You Figure Out The Ratio of H20 to Coolant?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-05-02 | 10:56 AM
  #1  
rico05's Avatar
Thread Starter
WTB S5 N/A FC
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
From: College Station, Tx
Coolant Question....How Do You Figure Out The Ratio of H20 to Coolant?

I live in Texas which mans summers are hottern' ****. So, I am gonna run 70/30 water to coolant ratio. How does one measure out the ratio? Do I bust out the ol measuring cup and go to town, or is there a better way? Or, how much does the coolant system hold?
Old 06-05-02 | 11:22 AM
  #2  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,793
Likes: 119
From: London, Ontario, Canada
50/50 is the recommended ratio from Mazda. I wouldn't deviate from that...

However, if you want to run a different ratio, get a 2 litre pop bottle and cut off the top. Then fill it 30% with coolant, and the rest with water.
Old 06-05-02 | 11:31 AM
  #3  
banzaitoyota's Avatar
What Subscription?
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 1
From: Aiken SC USA
Run 100% Evans NPG+
Old 06-05-02 | 11:53 AM
  #4  
rico05's Avatar
Thread Starter
WTB S5 N/A FC
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
From: College Station, Tx
What is the capacity of the coolant syatem?
Old 06-05-02 | 12:05 PM
  #5  
busy13b's Avatar
Om Namah Shivaya
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
you've gotta be kidding me - you can't search for something as basic as that

not to pick on you, but jezum crow... must not get enough attention at home...


Series 5 coolant capacity is like 7.8 quarts.
Old 06-05-02 | 12:17 PM
  #6  
telus.net's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: B.C.
Dude, be nice! Rico spends more time on this board longer than you (2000 vs 200 posts), so respect him! If you are pissed because he could've search for it, then don't reply it. Many people are willing to reply his post even if you aren't!
Old 06-05-02 | 12:26 PM
  #7  
Felix Wankel's Avatar
Super Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,398
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
What does post count have to do with anything?
Old 06-05-02 | 12:35 PM
  #8  
busy13b's Avatar
Om Namah Shivaya
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 519
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
Originally posted by telus.net
Dude, be nice! Rico spends more time on this board longer than you (2000 vs 200 posts), so respect him! If you are pissed because he could've search for it, then don't reply it. Many people are willing to reply his post even if you aren't!
I'd say it's the quality of posts vs. quanity that matters, no??

I actually answered his question, if you didn't notice, and you did what, post here to "scold" me??





Oh, and be sure to use distilled water in your coolant system!
Old 06-05-02 | 12:43 PM
  #9  
banzaitoyota's Avatar
What Subscription?
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,926
Likes: 1
From: Aiken SC USA
Why are u guys going about this the hard way? Switch to Evans NPG+. No water required.
Old 06-05-02 | 12:43 PM
  #10  
jmseven's Avatar
Asset is Wealth
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Use only 10% cooland 90% water, w/ Redline water wetter.

Remember....if you change your cooling liquids every year...you will NOT have any probs.

Does anyone know what coolant does for your cooling system???? It keeps the water from freezing.

You live in great land of Texas...I dont think it get cold down there....
Old 06-05-02 | 12:45 PM
  #11  
jmseven's Avatar
Asset is Wealth
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Oh yes,....Use distilled water....chg it yearly...please.

There is a radiator cap that also is available. It has a copper probe to attract electrolisys. GET IT.
Old 06-05-02 | 12:46 PM
  #12  
UniqueTII's Avatar
Slow and old
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 0
From: It's a midwest thing.
Is this like that puzzle in Die Hard 3, where he had to get 4 gallons with a 5 gallon and a 3 gallon jug?

Fill the five, fill the 3 with the 5, dump out the three, put 2 from 5 into 3, fill the five, fill the 3 with the 5. LOL

I don't think your measurements, whether using 30% or 50%, have to be that accurate. Just guess. If your system is totally empty and you want to use ~50%, dump a gallon of coolant in there and fill the rest with water.
Old 06-05-02 | 12:52 PM
  #13  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,793
Likes: 119
From: London, Ontario, Canada
I find it surprising that people take such a casual attitude towards one of the most important parts of the car.

The car should cool just fine with a 50/50 mix or (in some cases) a 70/30 mix. If you need to add anything else to the system, then you have a problem that needs to be fixed.

Use only distilled water, and use only factory rad caps.

I don't know where that "10% coolant, 90% water" came from, but it is WRONG. In colder climates, it will freeeze and distroy the engine. Might not be a problem in Texas, but other people may read that and ruin their car.
Old 06-05-02 | 01:04 PM
  #14  
FPrep2ndGenRX7's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 770
Likes: 0
From: AL
Aaron - I seem to remember the 90/10 in the Mazda Competition Catalog. Just because its in the competition catalog means its for racecars only. Many forms of motorsports don't allow anti-freeze type coolants in the car due hard clean ups and the slick spots theyleave on the race tracks. Everybody seems to have their own opinion(whether right or wrong) about the mixture needed. I lean more toward the 70/30 mix.
Old 06-05-02 | 01:11 PM
  #15  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,793
Likes: 119
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Yeah, but you know what I mean...In a street car, there is no reason to use anything other than 50/50 or 70/30.
Old 06-05-02 | 01:11 PM
  #16  
rico05's Avatar
Thread Starter
WTB S5 N/A FC
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
From: College Station, Tx
Thanks guys!! I know about the distilled h20 and all, I just don't have my Hayne's handy. Hey busy13B...ever used the search function?? It can be very hard to find what you are looking for!!!
Old 06-05-02 | 01:51 PM
  #17  
jmseven's Avatar
Asset is Wealth
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
From: Cali
Okay...you want to know were using 10% coolant or NO coolant came from.....

From racing Spec7's. If you know hardcore Rotary racing teams...they will tell you what coolant is all about. Did you read where Rico05 is from? This was to his envirornment...not to yours. Ever speak to a rep @ Redline? They will tell you the truth. They are a neighboring company here in the bay area....Nice guys...very smart guys.

You are in Canada....eehhh.

You SHOULD run a higher percentage of COOLANT...and that IS obvious.
Old 06-05-02 | 02:12 PM
  #18  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,793
Likes: 119
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Do you know why they don't run any coolant? Because if it gets on the track it's a hazard. They are also a RACE car, not a street car. Running no coolant will cause extreme corrosion and electrolosys (sp?) damage.
Old 06-05-02 | 02:49 PM
  #19  
Wankel7's Avatar
Haven't we ALL heard this
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Yeah aaron....coolant fights corrosion. That should be something important

James
Old 06-05-02 | 03:33 PM
  #20  
Evil Aviator's Avatar
Rotorhead
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Originally posted by banzaitoyota
Run 100% Evans NPG+
Lazy, eh? I need to try that stuff one of these days. How long have you been using it?

Originally posted by Aaron Cake
50/50 is the recommended ratio from Mazda.
Where did you get that info from?

Originally posted by rico05
I live in Texas which mans summers are hottern' ****. So, I am gonna run 70/30 water to coolant ratio. How does one measure out the ratio? Do I bust out the ol measuring cup and go to town, or is there a better way? Or, how much does the coolant system hold?
Yes, I think that the good old measuring cup is the best way. You could use a clean empty bottle of some type, just as long as you clearly know where the fill-line is for the measurement that you desire.

For proper street car ratios and coolant capacity, RTFM under How To's/Manuals:
http://www.fc3s.org

You will also notice that Mazda recommends a 65/35 mix above 3 deg F. This basically means to dump 5 US qts of distilled water into your car, and then top it off with coolant. Be sure to drain the old coolant with the heater on (per the service manual) or this method will not work correctly. For those who want to know the mathematical formula, 7.7 US qts total capacity of a S5 NA * 65% = 5.005 qts. You guys with different years/models of cars can use the same method to figure out how to get the correct ratio for your application.
Old 06-05-02 | 04:11 PM
  #21  
NZConvertible's Avatar
I'm a boost creep...
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,608
Likes: 8
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Rico, here’s what I do. I have a 20L container with a tap at the bottom that I use to mix and store coolant. I buy 5L of Castrol coolant, a 4L and a 1L. I empty the coolant into the 20L container then fill the 4L and 1L containers with clean water and empty that into the 20L container. I now have 10L of a 50/50 water/coolant mix, of which my car needs about 8.7L. This leaves 1.3L for top ups.
Old 06-05-02 | 04:15 PM
  #22  
rico05's Avatar
Thread Starter
WTB S5 N/A FC
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 0
From: College Station, Tx
My buddy and I figured it out!! There are little marks on the side of the coolant jugs that show the level. I ran 70% H20 and 30% coolant.
Old 06-05-02 | 06:21 PM
  #23  
telus.net's Avatar
Full Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: B.C.
Originally posted by busy13b


I'd say it's the quality of posts vs. quanity that matters, no??

I actually answered his question, if you didn't notice, and you did what, post here to "scold" me??





Oh, and be sure to use distilled water in your coolant system!
I didn't scold you. It was just a friendly conversation. Search function is hard to find specifically what you are looking for. I know because I experienced.
Old 06-05-02 | 07:13 PM
  #24  
FreedS4's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Chocowinity, NC
Do you know why they don't run any coolant? Because if it gets on the track it's a hazard. They are also a RACE car, not a street car. Running no coolant will cause extreme corrosion and electrolosys (sp?) damage.

Actually Aaron the reason they run 100% water is because it cools quicker than coolant.

Chris
Old 06-05-02 | 07:24 PM
  #25  
wpgrexx's Avatar
Rotary Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 0
From: not in winterpeg anymore
You are in Canada....eehhh.




come on guy, no need for Canadian slander. Besides most people don't say EHHHHH that much.


Quick Reply: Coolant Question....How Do You Figure Out The Ratio of H20 to Coolant?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:55 PM.