[TL-racer/STi-driver]

What type of stuff should we put into the water sprayer reservoir in the cold winter temperatures? It gets pretty cold in the Chicago area. Is there some type of stuff that has an anti-freeze that is made for intercooler spray? Even some of the windshield washer stuff freezes.

 

[mindchatter]

WER is my flasher unit

Same here in CT. We had temps as low as -6 this past winter in my area. I was actually wondering about this too - but seem to recall reading somewhere that Subaru recommends using straight water ONLY and only filling the resevoir halfway in the winter to allow for the expansion due to freezing. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Ken Reich]

:wink: simple just use windshield washer antifreeze ,I think it uses alcohol ,works better at cooling the intercooler anyway,

 

[MKIVSupra]

Rear Wing Options...

I thought about adding a little alchohol in but would be worried about it removing the STi on the IC or something like that. More than likely I will just not fill it and leave it empty during the winter. It will be cold enough, I don't see me needing to spray water on the IC when it is below freexing out.

 

[murley]

Hey guys, you are actually correct with what SOA says. You shouldn't put anything except water (straight H2o) in there. I think that you are only supposed to fill it to half in the winter also. I think that their thoughts are that the 10 degree air will cool it enough to make up for not using the water in hard driving.

 

[newbieSTI]

I read the Impreza (RS / WRX / STi) manual, it stated that use only pure water and leave the tank half empty in winter, let it freeze. Now let's hope we don't 'accidently' press the I/C Spray button while the tank is frozen ...

 

[phun]

I'm no expert and I haven't read the manual yet but I gotta think that the best thing you can do is to ensure the reservoir and lines are completely devoid of H2O once you get much below 0 C or 32 F.

I'm thinking if it's 20 below you won't want to be spraying freezing rain all over your intercooler.

 

[murley]

Yeah, you wouldn't use it when it's below freezing.

 

[JJ]

10-4 on the pure water thing. I don't know what the flashpoint of alcohol is (windshield wiper fluid) but something tells me spraying a fine mist (vapor) of it on parts that could reach a few hundred degrees could have

EXPLOSIVE

consequences

Wonder if the lip on the water tank will be large enough to add ice cubes (in Summer of course)?

Any potential bad consequences of that?

 

[murley]

I doubt it. I'll bet you could cool the water to anything as low as...., ummmmm, about 33 degrees....

 

[MR.STi]

TD Canada Insurance Online - STi quote available

I'am no expert...But i would'nt think you need the spray in sold weather.

Waiting for STi

 

[MR.STi]

What do I have on the mind. It's "cold" weather, not "sold".

 

[darwood]

Wonder if the lip on the water tank will be large enough to add ice cubes (in Summer of course)?

This got me thinking, you could maybe put ice tea in the water tank (with ice cubes of course) and then extend the sprayer hose into the cabin and then hit a button to drink. Would solve the crappy cup holder problem.

Mmmm refreshment button...

No?

 

[chawklit]

Re: 2002 Subaru WRX

Wonder if the lip on the water tank will be large enough to add ice cubes (in Summer of course)?

This got me thinking, you could maybe put ice tea in the water tank (with ice cubes of course) and then extend the sprayer hose into the cabin and then hit a button to drink. Would solve the crappy cup holder problem.

Mmmm refreshment button...

No?

I nominate this for the best idea I've ever heard! I would pay hundreds for a device like this!

 

[WRX_XB9R]

MRT in Australia had a good article in their website about this. Their recomendation is to have plain old water during the summer. The heat loss from vaporizing (boiling) the water is greater than just heating it up. Having ice water would actually not help at all.

However methanol, the active ingredient in windshield wiper fluid, would help. It is less dense, has a lower vaporization point, and a much lower freezing point. A mixture of 50/50 water/ methanol will lower tempratures faster than plain water and will have a much lower freezing point.

Methanol boils at 149 and freezes at -137 Farienheiht.

 

[crazytrain]

Well, they do suggest ice in some circumstances. There is some neat stuff there. Here's a link: http://www.mrtrally.com.au/performance/tipintersprays.htm.

 

[O4STi]

Re: Top Gear Magazine May Issue STI Review

so why dont we just stick alot of ice in the intercooler water

 

[murley]

Most intercoolers don't run with water. They are empty and the compressed air runs through the fins to keep it cool...., hence the reason for the intercooler....

 

[SnowbordrWRX]

Murley, will the automatic water spray kit for the WRX fit the STi ? With something like that, you wouldn't have to worry about when to spray the intercooler.


Also, is your dealership affected by the recall posted today? (I posted this in Off-Topic earlier...)

Reuters
Subaru recalls 170,000 vehicles in U.S.
Wednesday April 30, 9:28 am ET


DETROIT, April 30 (Reuters) - Subaru said late Tuesday that it has recalled about 170,000 vehicles in many northern and Midwest U.S. states, the so-called "salt belt" region, due to possible rusting of the rear suspension.
The automaker, a unit of Japan's Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (Tokyo:7270.T - News), said that the rear suspension components could rust after several years of exposure to road salts, used to clear ice during the winter. The corrosion could cause the subframe to break, which if it occurred during operation of the vehicle, could result in loss of control.

The recall covers some of the Legacy, Outback and Baja vehicles from the 2000 to 2003 model years. The recall includes vehicles sold in or currently registered in 22 states and the District of Columbia.

The company said it knew of no accidents resulting from the rusting.

 

[murley]

New System from Big Brother

I was unaware that you could get an auto-spray kit for the WRX os I'm not sure if it would work or not. I'm thinking that most people..., like probably 95% literally, won't be running the car hard enough to even use the spray for what it's intended. As for the recall, the official SOA recall sheet said that there have been no reported problems but that the mfg'r of the suspension components did not rustproof the components correctly. The report from SOA also said that any problems that they could expect to happen wouldn't be until typically after 5-10 years of use and ownership on the roads in the "Salt-Belt" region. All they said is that they have to re-coat the area and components. Nothing big.