Using car coolant to cool CPU ?!

[27MaD]

So today a guy asked me if it's ok to use car coolent in his watercooled system instead of using regular water so he can achieve better temps , i was shocked when i first heard the question , and then i thought that this can actually work , what do you guys think ?

 

[Mr.Scott]

You won't get better temps on ambient water.
Only reason to use antifreeze in your loop is as a biocide or galvanic corrosion inhibitor, unless you plan on sub zero coolant.

 

[danbert2000]

I doubt you'll get better temps. Car coolant is probably tuned for much higher temperature differentials than a processor could reach. And I would be worried about corrosion or degradation of the loop somehow with a coolant not designed for a computer liquid cooler.

 

[newtekie1]

It isn't an issue, and actually was pretty common back before the fancy fluids came out.

It will definitely help with corrosion too, especially in a mixed metal loop. Car coolant systems are almost always mixed metal, so the anti-freeze has a ton of corrosion inhibitors.

 

[jsfitz54]

It isn't an issue, and actually was pretty common back before the fancy fluids came out.

It will definitely help with corrosion too, especially in a mixed metal loop. Car coolant systems are almost always mixed metal, so the anti-freeze has a ton of corrosion inhibitors.

I would say the pink variety over the green, any thoughts?

 

[Mr.Scott]

Makes no difference.

 

[jsfitz54]

Makes no difference.

So you would not use Dex-Cool. That would be my first choice.

 

[Caring1]

I would say the pink variety over the green, any thoughts?

If overclocking and or using a chiller, pink has the longer lifespan and greater temperature range.

 

[Mr.Scott]

If you're using a chiller and are serious about it, you use windshield washer juice. It has less viscosity cold than antifreeze does and will not slush up to -30 or so.

So you would not use Dex-Cool. That would be my first choice.

I didn't say that. I said it makes no difference what brand you use. They all do the same thing.

 

[jsfitz54]

If you're using a chiller and are serious about it, you use windshield washer juice. It has less viscosity cold than antifreeze does and will not slush up to -30 or so.

That' s due to the alcohol. That can't be good long term?

 

[Mr.Scott]

Been using it in my chillers for a decade or more. No issues ever.
It evaporates a little, just keep it topped up.

 

[newtekie1]

So you would not use Dex-Cool. That would be my first choice.

No Dex-Cool, I wouldn't even run that crap in my car! It eats rubber seals. Classic green is what I always use or the yellow stuff.

 

[freeagent]

That's a good idea, with the winter washer fluid. Where I am, we have stuff rated for -40c, but I think its ok when its colder. My dexcool sounds like its running through a Slurpee machine when its that cold lol. Its not nice.

 

[Caring1]

Just use Vodka, it won't freeze and you can regularly drain the system with a straw

 

[moproblems99]

Anything that doesn't have plasticizer in it.

 

[Zareek]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't straight water conduct and absorb more heat? If so, the anti-corrosive benefits of anti-freeze are a good thing but I seriously doubt he will see better cooling performance.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't straight water conduct and absorb more heat?

That's why you don't use pure antifreeze. You always dilute it with water for the temperatures it is to be used in.

 

[Outback Bronze]

Been using car coolant for 10+ years. No issues here and extremely happy with it.

 

[Ferrum Master]

Distilled water + ethylene glycol car coolant is my choice. Like 10:1 or even more. Using mixture like that for years. No problems ever.

 

[Outback Bronze]

Distilled water + ethylene glycol car coolant is my choice. Like 10:1 or even more. Using mixture like that for years. No problems ever.

The car coolant I use is very similar, but I think its more 50/50 mix straight out of the bottle.

 

[lsevald]

I bought a few PA series Thermochill radiators 12 years ago, and I also received 2 small (2 oz?) bottles of something with this description on it:

Valvoline Racing
Super Coolant
Zerex

On the back label:
Contains: Water, Ethylen Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, 2-Ethylhexaonic Acid, Corrosion Inhibitors, Silicone Silicate, Defoamers and Dyes

Instructions: Dilute with distilled water at a ratio of 5% coolant to 95% water

And I have used it with great success all these years, but I'm all out now and looking to buy more. I can't find this exact product in my country, but is it just plain anti freeze? Even the nickel plating on many EK blocks have survived over the years. Oh and it's red/pink

 

[Ferrum Master]

I have to mention that some car coolants now does have stupid additives to make it not sweet (in some countries like UK) so children and and animals do not drink it, when leaked etc...

I don't know how that suits with our scenario.

 

[Caring1]

I bought a few PA series Thermochill radiators 12 years ago, and I also received 2 small (2 oz?) bottles of something with this description on it:

Valvoline Racing
Super Coolant
Zerex

On the back label:
Contains: Water, Ethylen Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, 2-Ethylhexaonic Acid, Corrosion Inhibitors, Silicone Silicate, Defoamers and Dyes

Instructions: Dilute with distilled water at a ratio of 5% coolant to 95% water

And I have used it with great success all these years, but I'm all out now and looking to buy more. I can't find this exact product in my country, but is it just plain anti freeze? Even the nickel plating on many EK blocks have survived over the years. Oh and it's red/pink

Sounds like it is, Valvoline is an Automotive brand.

 

[dorsetknob]

car coolants now does have stupid additives to make it not sweet (in some countries like UK) so children and and animals do not drink it, when leaked etc...

here is one that remembers the Wine Scandal (from Austria ) years ago.

 

[Ferrum Master]

I've considered actually getting some Benzotriazole (BTA). It is recommended for protecting copper.