I few more issues than cost…several of these are not ideal IMO.
1. The cost of the waterless coolant is much higher.
If you were to use a standard coolant or antifreeze in your vehicle, then the product cost would be around $20 per gallon. The cost of the waterless coolant from Evans, which is the primary supplier of this option, is about $40 per gallon. If you’re using a big-bore diesel engine with your truck, semi-trailer, or another large vehicle, the difference in price for your coolant needs may be $400+ if you choose the waterless option.
2. There are availability concerns to think about with waterless coolant.
If a slow leak occurs with your vehicle, then you can make it home easy enough before repairing the issue. Just stop at any store, purchase replacement coolant, then make sure your reserves never get too low. That option disappears for you when using waterless coolant. Availability is not as widespread as traditional antifreeze or coolant options because only authorized service providers have the product. Adding water eliminates the benefits of going waterless too.
That means you must stock up on the product when you make the conversion to the waterless coolant. If you use it in your everyday vehicle, then you’ll need to carry some with you at all times. Without plenty of extra, you’ll find the recovery costs of popping a hose can become an unpleasant surprise.
3. Heat isn’t moved as effectively with waterless coolant.
Even Evans Waterless Coolant offers a lower specific heat rating, which means a water-based product will create a faster result in comparison. Compared to water, the specific heat capacity falls into a range between 0.6 to 0.7. That’s why the traditional coolant technologies have been around for so long. The coolant creates a higher boiling temperature for the water, providing you with a layer of protection which is adequate unless the vehicle overheats. Some vehicles run cooler with a waterless coolant, especially if they are equipped with a high-performance engine. Others do not.
4. Engines typically run hotter at the cylinder heads.
Although the overall process creates a cooler engine for many vehicle owners, using a waterless coolant does make an engine run hotter at the cylinder heads. For a high-performance engine, the issue could change conditions by over 100°F. The stabilized coolant temperatures are increased by at least 30°F when the conversion takes place as well when compared to a 50/50 or traditional coolant. You’re also faced with an inhibitor disposition on aluminum surfaces, which may be problematic for some radiators.
5. There is a conversion cost to consider with going waterless.
If your vehicle has not received coolant as of yet, then the cost of a waterless coolant is only the product expense. When you’re converting from a traditional coolant, however, then your system must be purged. Over 97% of the original coolant must be removed from the system for the waterless coolant to be sufficient. If you do not achieve that rate of success, then you lose the corrosion-resistance benefit. The cost of purging the system varies per location, but it typically falls into a range between $250 to $400.
6. Waterless coolant may reduce your horsepower rating.
When a full conversion to waterless coolant occurs, owners notice a small dip in the horsepower possible from their engine. Some high-performance engines see a drop of 5% or more. At the same time, the fuel octane requirement for the engine increases by up to 7 points, which further reduces performance if a shift in gasoline quality does not happen. The hidden costs of these issues to correct them further increases the overall expense of switching from a water-cooled system to this product.
7. It will absorb water when allowed to sit out in the open.
When you use a waterless coolant, it is essential to remember that the product is hygroscopic. That means it offers the capability of absorbing moisture from the surrounding environment. It will even pull water from the air if you allow it to sit outside. Most cooling systems do not have air exposure concerns, so the absorbing nature of the fluid is not an issue within the vehicle. If you’re performing maintenance on your cooling system, however, then you’ll need to place the fluid in a tightly-closed container to prevent it from being corrupted.
8. There are flammability concerns in high-performance settings.
“Only dealt with that stuff one time,” is an observation written on a tech talk forum about waterless coolant. “Guy dumped it on the starting line and made a full pass that was a 3-hour clean-up. Worst stuff I have ever cleaned and extremely slippery.” There are also flammability issues reported with waterless coolant when exposed to high-heat situations on racetracks and other high-performance areas. Although reviews on this potential disadvantage are mixed, the issue should be approached with caution at the very least.
9. The fan on your vehicle may start operating continuously.
Because waterless coolant changes the temperature profile of your vehicle, some owners may find that their fan triggers on continuously because of the heat at the engine. Although the waterless coolant provides better protection, you may need to reprogram the temperature settings of your fan to prevent this issue. Some owners may also change their engine timing to prevent knocking after a switch to this product and look at the specs of their water pump since the viscosity of waterless coolant is a little different.
10. You may be forced to purchase by mail.
Even though you can find waterless coolant products online, only authorized dealers are permitted to sell the product for Evans (and similar rules apply to other manufacturers). If you purchase your product from a retailer who is not authorized, including online companies, then the warranty coverage offered by the product does not apply.
