"Water Wetter" Truth or fiction?

[Paul Workman]

I have just enough formal physics education to be real dangerous, or at least very skeptical at times. So, my "BS" antenna is up whenever I hear claims about additives like "Water Wetter" (WW) enhancing engine cooling.
I'm gonna go away now and do some research and maybe some experimenting, but this is what gets me to and thinking :

Fact: Water is a compound that has a very high "specific heat" factor. The higher the "specific heat" factor, the more heat (calories) it will absorb to raise its temperature by a given amount, and the more heat it will carry: like a sponge holds liquid, water holds heat. This is a good thing for a coolant to do.

Fact: The bigger the heat differential between two materials (the radiator and air, in this case) the faster (and more) heat will transfer.

Fact: Coolant temperature is an indirect method of determining engine heat: the temperature of the engine surfaces is the "real deal", but because we're so familiar with engine temp in terms of standard water coolant temp characterisitics, we take it for granted. The point is, if it ain't a well known comodity, i.e. "water" (50/50 antifreeze), then all bets are off as to actual engine metal temp/ effectiveness in the presence of an unknown coolant. My point is, colant temp changes claimed by the makers of the WW is not proof of better cooling, due to the fact measuring coolant temp is an indirect measurement of engine surfaces.

If the WW does NOT combine with the water to form a new compound, and thereby altering it's specific heat (raising it), then the 6-12 oz of the WW stuff would have more of a placebo effect (on the purchaser) than actual heat transfer effectiveness.

But, if the WW does in fact form a new compound with the water/glycol solution, one that is more efficient (read: higher specific heat factor), then perhaps it might well carry heat away more efficiently. A simple experiment could be conducted to prove or disprove WW's ability to transfer heat... Is it golden, or is it snake oil? I dunno, but "Ahl be back!"

P.

[DMark]

Dang Paul...., this sure hurts my liberal arts degree brain.

What I understand is - Green Stuff Good - Orange Stuff Bad.

[Bill]

I had a little different take on ww and cooling systems. First the best coolant is pure water. Antifreeze is added to reduce corrosion and to change freezing and boiling points. The addition of antifreeze actually reduces the specific heat capacity of water. WW reduces the surface tension of the water so that when localized boiling happens the size of the bubbles will be smaller, allowing more water to get to the hot surface.

I’m looking forward to the results of your research.

[carter200]

Originally Posted by ßill

I had a little different take on ww and cooling systems. First the best coolant is pure water. Antifreeze is added to reduce corrosion and to change freezing and boiling points. The addition of antifreeze actually reduces the specific heat capacity of water. WW reduces the surface tension of the water so that when localized boiling happens the size of the bubbles will be smaller, allowing more water to get to the hot surface.

I’m looking forward to the results of your research.

No, Bill, the best coolant is distilled water. WW enhances the effects and works. Only about a 10 degree drop. Better than none in my book.....

[flyin ryan]

Originally Posted by ßill

I had a little different take on ww and cooling systems. First the best coolant is pure water. Antifreeze is added to reduce corrosion and to change freezing and boiling points. The addition of antifreeze actually reduces the specific heat capacity of water. WW reduces the surface tension of the water so that when localized boiling happens the size of the bubbles will be smaller, allowing more water to get to the hot surface.

I’m looking forward to the results of your research.

, basically WW kills bubbles, in a nut shell. the wild claims of 30°-40° drop in temperature are just that...wild. it's good stuff, just don't expect too much.

[rogerzr1]

Man, I had a hard enough time finding a coolant I was sure wouldn't blow the head gasket. Now you guys throw all of this in the mix.

Just when I think I am catching on you guys throw me curve balls.

[bradslt5]

wait untill you get a phil nekro knuckle ball there is always some new stuff to learn . but remember its like golf you think toooo much ya cant play the game .in fo is out there to chew on and decide if ya want to try it or not . kinda fun really

[Jagdpanzer]

Originally Posted by bradslt5

wait untill you get a phil nekro knuckle ball

Phil's and Joe's spitters were even better
Those were the good old days.
Don't see those kind pitchers anymore in the majors.

Originally Posted by flyin ryan

, basically WW kills bubbles, in a nut shell. the wild claims of 30°-40° drop in temperature are just that...wild. it's good stuff, just don't expect too much.

So for shits and giggles, put a pot on the stove filled with distilled water, raise the temp to 180 degrees then pour in some WW. Does the temp change?

[bradslt5]

Originally Posted by Jeffvette

So for shits and giggles, put a pot on the stove filled with distilled water, raise the temp to 180 degrees then pour in some WW. Does the temp change?

I agre with the idea to a point . to be fair wouldnt the system have to be a closed test. like in a pressure cooker to give the test a condition like an engine cooling system . if you just put it in anopen container like a pot on a stove evaporation would not give the test a fair comparison . jmho