Chevrolet colorado, water as engine coolant?

[nelson bunker]

Hi everyone. I am borrowing from a family member a Chevy pick up. 2,5L Diesel turbo intercooler. As i am grateful to be able to use this truck which goes really well in spite of his 336000 kms, i am doing some maintenance.

Today i bled the engine coolant which was, by the taste of it, plain water.

It was clean, only a bit of rust deposit in the expansion tank.

Went to the shop, bought some engine coolant(ethylene glycol+corrosion inhibitor), did the 1 for 10 volumes mix and pored it in the radiator.

As i was about to start the engine to check for any leaks, the GF showed me a little original Chevrolet sticker on the radiator that says( in Thai): Only water, no anti rust.

Bled again and filled with rain water.

In Europe, i would always use coolant as it makes the boiling point higher, protects from rust and lubricates the water pump.

Tonight i am researching the net about this and cannot find a reason for using water only.

Do you TV readers have any idea?

This Chevy pick up is the same as the Isuzu Dmax...

Edited February 6, 2015 by nelson bunker

[OZEMADE]

I have never heard of any vehicles these days using plain or rainwater in the radiator. They all use radiator inhibitor fluid to suit the climate in the area the vehicle is driven in.

You said you borrowed it from a family member. I presume a Thai and if that is the case, they possibly cant afford the coolant or don't know that is what has to be put in the vehicle.

A sticker, (only water, no anti rust.) never seen or heard of such a sticker in my life, doubt Chevy put it on there as it is a 2.5 lit diesel Turbo Intercooled donk.

Make doubly sure, take the vehicle to the local Chevy dealership and ask them.

Edited February 6, 2015 by OZEMADE

[nelson bunker]

Thanks for the reply Ozemade. Yes i borrow the truck from the Thai cousin, i thought the same thing as you with the poor maintenance when i tasted water as engine coolant.

On the other hand the pick up is going very well with its 3336xx kms which is considered high mileage in Europe. No oil leaks, clean engine, so it must be looked after.

We are not used to Chevy in Europe and i am very impressed with this one. Just drove it to Chiang rai and back from Buriram.

Again the sticker on the radiator looks very genuine and according to the GF and Google translate it says : Water only, no antirust...

I will take it to the shop tomorrow.

[WarpSpeed]

I can't believe you tasted it? You do know that if it had coolant in it it could make you very sick? Coolant is poisonous. Just as easy just to smell it but without the risks, there is no way not to be able to smell coolant if it's present especially warm. It's smell is one of it's attributes like smelling LP for example, you know when you have a leak if you're paying attention and it doesn't take much to smell it? I've never heard of this either and can't think of any reason NOT to use coolant but it is kind of hard to argue with over 300,000 Km and it isn't your truck, so while you're trying to do the right thing it may cause some family politics I'd think about steering clear of, face and all that.. It often ends badly..

[IMHO]

Can you post a photo of that sticker?

I suspect something has gone wrong in the translation.

[bkkjames]

i remember in the old days (probably same today) that cats in particular were attracted to coolent / wiper antifreeze because it tasted sweet to them. Never checked it personally, never will cause i like my eyesight.

[cnx355]

This is from a ISUZU Engine web page as Colorado has Isuzu engne:

What oil, fuel, and coolant types are recommended or required for my engine?
Refer to your Owner's Instruction Manual for the specific oil, fuel and coolant types for your engine model.

The Instruction Manual provides the API grade of oil to use and has an application chart to determine the appropriate viscosity oil to use for ambient temperature. Your engine should not need any additives if you use the recommended oil and change intervals.
Your Isuzu engine is designed to use Number 2-D diesel fuel. Number 1-D or a 1-D/2-D diesel blend is permissible for cold temperatures.
Use a 50/50 ethylene glycol based Long Life Coolant/distilled water mixture.
Use a low silicate or no silicate coolant.
Methyl alcohol based coolant is not recommended.

http://www.isuzuengines.com/Faqs.aspx#q24

[Nemesis7]

For some strange reason I have also seen few trucks and cars here pouring in water in the radiator as coolant, seemed it's normal thing for those people.

[seedy]

Water is better at heat transfer then ethylene glycol. But has no anti-rust or anti-corrosion protection.

That being said, why they recommend distilled water is to keep the PH levels within an acceptable range.

With newer HD diesels this is very important, as if levels get too far out of line it eats the liners.

[pizzachang]

They may have been referring to "additives" on that sticker. You can probably purchase additive-free glycol at the dealership. Problems with corrosion in the cooling system are usually avoided by regular flushing of the system.

[WarpSpeed]

Well I always use a water/coolant mix, not either by itself at full strength.

[2fishin2]

I have never seen nor heard of a vehicle that did not use an antifreeze/radiator fluid mixture vs straight water in a radiator. Straight water has always been a no-no. Usually a 50/50 mixture. The coolant fluid has chemicals that prevent corrosion and has a higher boiling point meaning it can get hotter without boiling over. Straight water....straight wrong.

[Pomthai]

3.0 Dmax with over 430,000km on it. I've always used coolant additive. Green stuff.

As the OP says, it increases the boiling point and therefore might protect the engine for slightly longer if you overheat, at least it'll increase the safe operating temp threshold.

I'd be adding coolant to the water you've put it and think of the work you've all ready done as a flush.

Edited February 7, 2015 by Pomthai

[bkkjames]

I let the guys at nissan do it. (hoping they know what they are doing lol). I drive it.

[overherebc]

My take on that sticker is if the level lowers top up with water only, meaning dont add any more anti freeze/rust to top up as you will end up making the mix too strong. It doesnt evaporate as quickly as the water.

[KonaRain]

Seedy got it right, diesel is different.Is there a,water lubricant?

Also he said tasted it not drink it.. Mechanic's lingo...?

I would smell it..

Aloha

[BudRight]

Doesn't it take DexCool 50/50?

[featography]

i remember in the old days (probably same today) that cats in particular were attracted to coolent / wiper antifreeze because it tasted sweet to them. Never checked it personally, never will cause i like my eyesight.

At least 20 yrs ago they changed the formula to eliminate that sweet taste. No longer attracts any animals

[WarpSpeed]

i remember in the old days (probably same today) that cats in particular were attracted to coolent / wiper antifreeze because it tasted sweet to them. Never checked it personally, never will cause i like my eyesight.

At least 20 yrs ago they changed the formula to eliminate that sweet taste. No longer attracts any animals

That's news to me, it's still commonly used as a nuisance cat eliminator here because it both smells and tastes sweet.

[JeffreyO]

I skipped past the majority of these comments but water is superior for cooling than coolants or alcohol. The reason most places mix water and coolant is to adjust the boiling and freezing temperatures. Primarily freezing. Coolant requires exceptionally low temperatures (can't remember the exact numbers). This is why coolant is sometimes referred to as anti-freeze.

Generally you'll be fine in Thailand under most conditions running straight water but a real coolant/water mix is safer for your vehicle overall.

[Anthony5]

i remember in the old days (probably same today) that cats in particular were attracted to coolent / wiper antifreeze because it tasted sweet to them. Never checked it personally, never will cause i like my eyesight.

At least 20 yrs ago they changed the formula to eliminate that sweet taste. No longer attracts any animals

That's news to me, it's still commonly used as a nuisance cat eliminator here because it both smells and tastes sweet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze

The most common water-based antifreeze solutions used in electronics cooling are mixtures of water and either ethylene glycol (EGW) or propylene glycol (PGW). The use of ethylene glycol has a longer history, especially in the automotive industry. However, EGW solutions formulated for the automotive industry often have silicate based rust inhibitors that can coat and/or clog heat exchanger surfaces. Ethylene glycol is listed as a toxic chemical requiring care in handling and disposal.

Ethylene glycol has desirable thermal properties, including a high boiling point, low freezing point, stability over a wide range of temperatures, and high specific heat and thermal conductivity. It also has a low viscosity and, therefore reduced pumping requirements. Although EGW has more desirable physical properties than PGW, the latter coolant is used in applications where toxicity might be a concern. PGW is generally recognized as safe for use in food or food processing applications, and can also be used in enclosed spaces.

[nelson bunker]

[2fishin2]

I skipped past the majority of these comments but water is superior for cooling than coolants or alcohol. The reason most places mix water and coolant is to adjust the boiling and freezing temperatures. Primarily freezing. Coolant requires exceptionally low temperatures (can't remember the exact numbers). This is why coolant is sometimes referred to as anti-freeze.

Generally you'll be fine in Thailand under most conditions running straight water but a real coolant/water mix is safer for your vehicle overall.

Hahahaha I guess your smarter than every car manufacture in the world. Hahahahahahah wow

[nelson bunker]

[nelson bunker]

Thanks everyone for the replies, i have been struggling transferring the pic to PC.

Edited February 7, 2015 by nelson bunker

[Thaiready]

i remember in the old days (probably same today) that cats in particular were attracted to coolent / wiper antifreeze because it tasted sweet to them. Never checked it personally, never will cause i like my eyesight.

Dogs and Cats like the taste.

[transam]

Any engine needs a corrosion inhabiter, especially if it has alloy heads.

[bkkjames]

20 years ago. Suddenly feel quite old lol

[JAS21]

That stickerr says exactly what you wife translated to you ...I'd be interested as to what the garage says ....

[rotary]

I skipped past the majority of these comments but water is superior for cooling than coolants or alcohol. The reason most places mix water and coolant is to adjust the boiling and freezing temperatures. Primarily freezing. Coolant requires exceptionally low temperatures (can't remember the exact numbers). This is why coolant is sometimes referred to as anti-freeze.

Generally you'll be fine in Thailand under most conditions running straight water but a real coolant/water mix is safer for your vehicle overall.

I think the coolant also adds some lubrication for the water pump.