Water / coolant ratio

[D2BBA]

Does anyone know the corect water to coolant ratio for the FDs coolant system?

I know this has been a contensious issue in the past, but ive got the smallest of water leaks on the car and want to make sure im not always topping up with coolant only.

Also, anyone know a good supplier of distilled water?  Will battery top up water work?

Ta
Chris

[logicalChimp]

battery water should be fine (it\'s just plain distilled water anyway)

and I believe the water:coolant ratio should be 50:50

hth

[RemarkLima]

Personally I\'ve always gone for 70% water to 30% coolant, coolant doesn\'t have the same thermal transfer properties of water (pure water is the best fo thermal transfer, just it can boil over easier!).

And our winters aren\'t so cold that you need protection beyond -30C...

[Nik da Greek]

As above, really, I use 3:1 or 4:1 mix. Seems to work fine

[Lil-Steve]

The more coolant you add the higher the boiling point and the lower the freezing point. On the other hand the more water you have the faster you can transfer heat away from the engine.
 
The maximum is 50% coolant but 30 - 40% should see you safe through the majority of british weather. If you are tracking the car regulaly or drag racing go for 100% water, (De-ioinised of course) but remember to change for the winter!
 
If you live up in the Highlands, pennines, Peak or Lake district and the winters are pretty harsh stick with a minimum of 40% coolant  the last thing you want is a burst rad from ice.

[D2BBA]

Replys all much appreciated fella\'s.

Im off to halfrauds...

Chris

[David Nock (RIP)]

Personally I\'ve always gone for 70% water to 30% coolant, coolant doesn\'t have the same thermal transfer properties of water (pure water is the best fo thermal transfer, just it can boil over easier!).

And our winters aren\'t so cold that you need protection beyond -30C...

I think this is right, but as I can just remember the winter of 1947, I go 60% water, 40% Blucol, just in case!!

[m1tch]

I have a specific gravity indicator so that I get the right mix lol