Can I Use Water Instead Of Coolant In An Emergency?

It is not an impossible situation to find yourself without a proper amount of cooling fluid in the car’s radiator. If you don’t check the level of the fluid regularly, or it is old and worn, that can lead to a rise in the engine temperature. Then comes a question: Can I use water instead of coolant in an emergency?

Simply put, yes, you can use water instead of coolant. But, by doing so, you can put the engine into a lot of trouble. Water has a lower boiling point than a coolant, and engines can get very hot. If you decide to use the water instead of a coolant, do it for a brief time. As soon as you get a hold of a proper coolant, add it to the coolant reservoir.

Before adding water to the engine coolant system, beware of the risks. Avoid adding water to the hot engine. Also, when adding plain water, you must follow the recommended coolant levels. In the end, avoid the chance that the engine overheats. We discussed all the risks and advice about this delicate topic, so stay with us. Do not attempt this before you read the rest of the article!

What Is The Importance of Coolant in Your Car Engine

The coolant system is a part of the internal combustion engine systems from the early beginnings. Since the engine is heating up while working, there is a constant need to keep the internal components cool enough. 

There comes the coolant system. The main parts of every coolant system are a coolant tank and its lines. The coolant lines and hoses connect the radiator to the water pump, allowing the hot water to be cooled again. Other heat lines are used to connect the radiator to the heater core that is used for heating the cabin.

So, keeping a functional coolant system will not only keep your engine cool but will heat the cabin of the car.

What Happens If You Run Out of Coolant?

The main function of coolant is to pull away the temperature from the engine. If the coolant level is low, or the engine runs out of it, that will lead to engine overheating. The driver can notice this problem by looking at the engine temperature gauge. If it goes into red all of a sudden and fast, that means that there is not enough coolant or that it cannot do its function.

Driving without coolant will damage the cylinder heads, pistons, and other crucial engine block parts. Sometimes, after an episode of an overheated engine, it is better to replace the whole engine than to attempt to rebuild it.

Difference Between Water and Coolant

There are three major differences between water and coolant, which are making the water a bad substitute for a coolant.

1. Boiling point. The working temperature of an ordinary engine is between 190 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. The water’s boiling temperature is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Running an engine with a radiator full of boiling water is never a good thing. When you mix water 50/50 with propylene glycol, the boiling point rises to 223 degrees Fahrenheit. But, in case you are using a proper coolant without water, its boiling point can rise to at least 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Freezing point. The water freezing point is at 23 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are living in a colder climate you will experience temperatures lower than that. These temperatures can lead to a frozen and eventually cracked radiator. Driving with a damaged and leaky radiator will lead to extensive engine damage
3. Protection from corrosion. The water will create corrosion on any metal surface when they are in contact for some time. Most elements of the cooling system are made of metal. Mixing those two will cause big problems for all metal parts of the cooling system, leading to rust and damage. Proper coolant has additives that protect the engine against corrosion.

Can You Use Water as an Emergency Substitute?

Yes, you can use water as an emergency substitute. Choosing distilled water instead of tap water would be a good choice. Distilled water is clean of most of the impurities and residue found inside tap water. But, do not rely on any type of water to be an alternative for coolant in the long run. As soon as you get the chance to add regular coolant, do it.

While you are driving with the water in the tank, pay special attention to the engine temperature gauge. Do not let it go into red for too long. When the temperature rises into a dangerous area, stop the car and let it cool down.

Driving for a prolonged period with water in the coolant tank can result in severe damage to the gasket heads, pistons, and other engine parts.

Risks of Using Water Instead of Coolant

There are several risks of using water instead of coolant. The first and the most obvious is that water doesn’t come with the benefits of additives found in regular coolants. Certain coolant elements give the coolant high boiling point and low freezing point characteristics. These allow the engine to work in high temperatures and not freeze in low temperatures.

Also, using a coolant will minimize the chance of corrosion attacking your cooling system. With extended use of water instead of coolant, you are putting your engine at risk of overheating, rust build-up, and freezing in cold climates.

Check Out What Happens When You Use Water Instead of Antifreeze in The Winter:

How Long Can Your Car Run on Water as Coolant?

Your car can run on water as a coolant between 60 and 300 miles. These mileages came up with the driver’s experience, and these figures are not set in stone. Several factors can impact this mileage. Most important are the outside temperature and the overall state of the engine.

The best thing you can do is to monitor the engine temperature and stop the engine once you notice that it is going into red. Do not let your engine overheat. That can lead to severe engine damage. Use water instead of proper coolant only in urgent situations. 

Best Practices for Using Water in Emergency

• Use water as a substitute coolant only in emergencies. Use it for a short time, and replace it with good coolant.
• Avoid using water in the height of summer. High outside temperatures will raise the temperature of the water even faster.
• Check the outside temperature before adding water. If the temperature is around or below the water freezing point, do not add it to the coolant tank.

Alternatives to Water During Emergencies

There are not many alternatives to a coolant. So, what can you use instead of coolant?  You can use tap water, distilled water, or a homemade antifreeze. Making an antifreeze can be dangerous, so if you don’t know what you are doing, you should avoid this option. You can make a coolant with a mix of water and ethylene glycol, but again, this can be dangerous both for you and for the engine.

When To Replace Emergency Water with Real Coolant?

You should replace water with real coolant as soon as you can. The best thing you can do is to drive the car to the mechanic. They will release the water from the cooling system and replace it with coolant. Since there are different types of coolants, engine coolant experts will know what coolant is recommended for your engine.

FAQs

How Long Can You Run an Engine without Coolant?

You should not run an engine without coolant at all. Driving without coolant will lead to engine overheating, and that is never a good thing. If you drive without any coolant, you can even destroy the engine.

What Happens if I Run My Car without Coolant?

If you run your car without coolant, the engine will overheat. Overheating usually leads to issues with the pistons, gaskets, and cylinder walls. The damage can be so extensive that the oil can move through the piston rings into the engine. That will result in oil burning all over the engine. The engine will lose pressure and work poorly. In the end, the pistons may completely break, leaving the engine destroyed.

Can I Temporarily Use Water for Antifreeze or Coolant?

Yes, you can use water temporarily as a coolant. We do not recommend using it instead of an antifreeze, especially if you live in a colder climate. The water has a much higher freezing point than a proper antifreeze.

Can an Engine Be Damaged if Water Is Used in Place of Coolant?

Yes, an engine can be damaged if water is used instead of coolant. If the driver is not careful, the engine could overheat, leading to massive engine damage. To minimize the possibility of damaging the engine, pay attention to the engine temperature scale. Avoid driving the car when the engine temperature is in the red.

Final Consideration

Using water instead of a coolant is dangerous by itself. Water and coolant have different features. They boil and freeze at different temperatures, and water doesn’t have the much-needed coolant additives. Using water is justified only in emergencies for a short time. As soon as you get the chance, replace water with coolant.

While you are driving with coolant, pay additional attention to the engine temperature. If the engine becomes very hot, stop and let it cool down. That way, you can avoid causing huge damage to the engine’s internal components. Either way, we hope that you will not get into a situation where you will need to swap coolant for water.