Can a wrong water/coolant mixture cause overheating?

NO, there could be a SMALL loss of thermal transfer capability of the fluid that you will never notice.

Here are the technical details.

Propylene Glycol does have a higher boiling point and lower freezing point than water. The lower freezing point is necessary to keep the water from freezing and cracking your engine block.

Water has a lower boiling point and higher freezing point.

Hmm, so why even bother with mixing water with propylene glycol? That's a good question.

The whole point of having engine coolant in your engine is to cool down the engine. This process occurs by running coolant through your engine absorbing heat in the process. After it has left the engine, it is run through the radiator where the heat is transferred to the air.

Here is where the mixture comes into play. The ability of any substance to transfer heat is called "thermal conductivity". The higher the thermal conductivity rating, the better a substance is at transferring heat. Propylene glycol has relatively poor thermal conductivity. You can view a data sheet here.

http://www.refrigerants.com/pdf/NRI-PropyleneGlyco...

Scroll down to page four. Water on the other hand has a relatively high thermal conductivity. Mix the two together, and because of their solubility, you get a thermal conductivity roughly somewhere in the middle. This varies at higher temperatures scaling upwards because of the water.

If you have a higher mixture of propylene glycol, it's possible for your engine to overheat because the coolant won't cool as well. Depending on how hot the engine gets, the heat can begin to warp metal; pistons, headers, etc. A car can run just fine using water as long as the temperature doesn't go below freezing. When water freezes it expands which can crack the engine block.

So having a 50/50 mixture is sort of the happy middle ground. The water won't freeze and the mixture does its job of cooling the engine. It also results in the least amount of fuss involving your vehicle if you don't like having to make adjustments all the time.

So will a 75/25 mixture ruin your car? That depends on the temperatures where you live. If you live someplace warm, I would advise getting a 50/50 mixture. In cooler climates, it will probably be fine.

@anthentherewasi Some of us believe in educating people rather than just giving "simple answers". There is a world of difference between "knowing" the answer and actually understanding the reason for the answer. That same knowledge makes me aware of the facts behind why you don't mix different anti-freezes. I actually understand the chemical reactions that occur, and it's not just as simple as you don't mix orange with green, because there is no standardization in the coolant industry regarding the color-coding of fluids.

I doubt that would be the intent for overheating. Octane, or gasoline grade, simplest refers back to the expense at which the fuel combusts. A reduce grade could be a extra fast uncontrolled combustion as to the place a bigger grade can be a slower, smoother combustion. Walking low grade gas in an engine that calls for top class would do long term harm when you proceed to take action, however it will not overheat your automobile. It is going to purpose your lifters to knocking though, and provides your engine an traumatic ticking. ... But about your auto overheating, there's one-of-a-kind supply to that concern. .... Are you low on coolant? Are you leaking coolant? Is your fan going for walks? Is your thermostat proper? Is your water pump working? ... These are questions you must look into about your car's overheating. Hope i would support.

Did your car overheat before?

As far as i can tell this mixture should not put your temperature in the red.

Check your thermostat, and wash radiator from bugs. If you never replaced coolant before, make sure to burp the system, otherwise you may have an air bubble - that would cause your car to overheat.

Listen it depends on what kind of car your driving, and engine type.

If it's a GM vehicle then NO, the water will destroy the engine even corrode it at some point.

If your not sure check your owners manual.

But if it's Asian like a Nissan or Toyota, their actually much durable and can be cooled just by using water.

No way at least I've never seen that happen. If nothing else drain a gallon and put 50/50 back in but I wouldn't think so. In colder climates you have to run it like that so it doesn't freeze.

no wont cause over heating but can clog the rad and gum up the thermostat.

Replace thermostat if your over heating as its a cheap fix you can do your self.

Must be 50/50. However, i dont think your concentration cause overheating

wtf why cant people say a simple yes or no whats with the rest of the bs. NO it wont cause overheating