Hello,

this isn’t really a problem for me, but I was just wondering.

I am currently in the process of getting my truck ready to smog (1989 ford ranger xlt w/ 2.9l v6) and I am using just plain old water I’m the cooling system, I’m just wondering if anyone else has done this and have they had any problems with the water boiling and all gushing into the res?

also is there anything I should check before taking it to get is smoged? Anything is appreciated.

thanks

 

Water is OK to run if there was some coolant left in there from before, coolant has a lube additive for the water pump, you can add this lube to water if you wish to use water all the time

Operating temp of the engine is 185-195 degF
Water boils at 212degF(sea level)
50/50 coolant and water boils at 230degF

The radiator cap is the best defence against boil over, it holds 14psi pressure in cooling system, and you get about 2degF increase in boiling point per PSI
So 14psi would increase boil point by 24degF
Water would boil at 236degF
Coolant at 254degF

Without radiator cap or with a bad cap, water in the back top of the engine could get to 212degF and boil
Boiling causes the water to expand rapidly at that spot, which would push water OUT of radiator

But overall with a properly working cooling system water is fine to use in summer, winter is another story, lol, i.e. freezing
Coolant is also called Anti-Freeze, because it lowers the freezing point from 32degF to -20degF or so, depending on the mix

Water will allow rusting, coolant has anti-corrosive additives to prevent that
Tap water also has minerals which are "salts" and most know what happens to unpainted metal when there is water AND salt applied, lol