Dumb Question

[JRA2000TL]

When I worked on my SHO last weekend, I forgot to hook up a coolant line so alot came out when I started it. I reattached the hose, of course, but didn't have any coolant with me at the house; so I just added water since the low coolant light came on afterward. Every time I've needed to add due to the light coming on, I just put water in. I think the car still has some coolant in it obviously. My question is....with the weather getting down to 17-20 at night, I'm wondering if my car has suffered any damage. I drove it last night and it seems fine. I've never drained the entire system and only filled with water--that'd be foolish.

I'm going to buy a jug of coolant tomorrow and add more to it. Just wondering if I damaged it by having more water than coolant in the system. I keep it in the garage, but my garage isn't heated. Someone told me as long as there's at least a little bit in the system that it should be fine.

 

[K-Dawg]

Don't sweat it. You're fine.

 

[firebat45]

A 20% ratio of coolant to 80% water should protect you from 20 below temperatures easily. 20% isn't much, most premix is 50/50, so I'm betting you're fine.

Don't go any stronger than 60% coolant to 40% water though, the freezing temperature starts to rise after that point. 100% antifreeze freezes at -18.

FYI, running pure water is actually the best you can do, as long as you will never subject the car to freezing temperatures. A lot of race cars use distilled water only. Water wetter is all marketing hype, for instance.

 

[Toul]

I was under the impression that an amount of coolant lessens waters surface cohesion, enabling smaller nucleations to boil out. Speeding the rate of thermal transfer. Am I mistaken?

edit: In addition to providing corrosion inhibitors.