Car is low on coolant and I added water, did I goof?

>>17439022
no, just make sure to do a coolant flush eventually.

>>17439022
Probably lowered your average temp

>>17439031
What do you mean by this

>>17439022
similar to adding a can of coke to your engine oil

nothing bad will happen

>>17439050
Water is a better cooler than ethylene glycol, but freezes easier. Your average running temp might be a few degrees cooler. If you added a lot of water, you should do a coolant flush to get the mix back to 50/50 before winter.

File: article-1343247-0C9DE652000005DC-962_634x398.jpg (55KB, 634x398px) Image search: [Google]

55KB, 634x398px

>>17439022
Nah. You're good. Pic unrelated

Should have added ammonia, like in a refrigerator.

>>17439075
If it wasn't much it won't freeze right?

>>17439022
Better than having no coolant though, having only water in your cooling system is 'ok', but as what >>17439075 said, water will have higher freezing point and lower boiling point. Which makes it freeze and boils easier.

>>17439130
>If it wasn't much it won't freeze right?
Correct. But usually, you should add coolant to take advantage of the opportunity. That's because the existing coolant has anti-corrosion additives that get "used up" as time goes on. So by adding more coolant to top it off, you are extending protection to when the next schedule coolant maintenance occurs (flush old coolant, check system, replace coolant).

>>17439131
The coolant is prevented from boiling because the cooling system is pressurized by the water pump.

>>17439075
Also gotta watch out for hard water deposits

>>17440067
>Also gotta watch out for hard water deposits
That's why you add only premixed "ready to use" coolant or coolant diluted with distilled water.

>>17439989
no.
the coolant is pressurized (and therefore its boiling point increased) by its temperature increasing within a sealed system.
the pump circulates, it does not have a compressing effect.

>>17439031
You diluted your coolant nigger

>>17439022
>Car is low on coolant and I added water, did I goof?
Tap water has minerals (aka salts) and calcium in it which are not good for the coolant system. The additives in the coolant should neutralize most of the effects.

It's fine as an emergency solution, but it's not meant to be a permanent solution.