The 70:30 Canadian mix comes from the fact that 50:50 is not the lowest protection point. The lowest freeze temperature of a ethylene-glycol:water mix is -84 degrees F & that’s somewhere around a 68:32 mix (from memory). The Canadian mix is close enough.

 

The freezing point of pure ethylene-glycol is 8 degrees F.

 

And BTW, freezing pure ethylene-glycol does not expand when it freezes, it contracts. It can still break things but now it’s pressure from the outside pushing in.

 

Tom

www.towercooler.com

 

 

 

From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 10:15 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Freeze Plugs was Oops - I let the engine freeze

 

---- Scott Daniel  - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> 'canadian mix' ?  ..
> stronger than 50/50 I imagine.  New term to me.
>
> 50-50 protects to 32 below  .

If I recall correctly, from my camper's manual, vanagons sold in Canada came with 70:30 mix.  Maybe some of our Canadian members could tell us for sure.  I think all auto makers recommend 70:30 in colder climates.  I would think it would be used in colder parts of the lower 48, and certainly would be used in Alaska.  But, then those guys run block heaters if they have power to do so.  I think I coined the term.  mcneely

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