Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Has any body tried a wetting agent/additive in their cooling system? Have you seen any improvements from using it? From what I understand it is suppose to improve the heat transfer of the coolant, possibly allowing the engine to run a little cooler. I have had good results from flushing my rad and a new water pump, but wondered if a wetting agent would be of any benefit.

i run water wetter in my supercharged z3, have no idea if it really helps as i have a highflow pump/oversized aluminum radiator/62c termostat (stock is 92). but i didn't see any problems with it.

i put an over the counter at wally world product in the 55. it was mostly for the rust inhibiting properties it described, but it also said it would lower temps. so far so good there too.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

If you've properly maintained your cooling system, and used a HIGH QUALITY coolant (and if it requires mixing, to always used distilled water), then there's no reason to add anything to the coolant. Modern coolants are specifically blended with additives to inhibit rust and maximize the life of the water pump and radiator.

Quote:

There have been postings on this site warning about the use of distilled water in our Packard cooling systems. Something about a leeching effect on some of the metals. I would use deionized water to be on the safe side.

(o{}o)

These "wetter" coolant additives are surfactants (soap is a surfactant). Surfactants lower the surface tension of water. Cast iron engine blocks quite often have rough spots in the water jacket which will create a hot spot. The water near the hot spot will form a vapor bubble, reducing the effective surface area of the water jacket. A surfactant will help dissipate the bubbles and effective increase the surface available for heat transfer.

Since every engine block is different, these additives may help or may be useless. The easiest way to tell if this will help your engine is to try it but don't be surprised if it doesn't work as advertised. I've tried it in both my Packards and it didn't make any difference in either.