Middletown transcript., 1921-03-12
home. brew Good
IN SEVERE COLD
Two Popular knti-Freezing Sub
stances viii Prevent Serious
Damage in Winter.
CALCIUM CHLORIDE IS CHEAP
Il Should Be Carefully Tested as It
Frequently Contains impurities
and Free Acids-Alcohol 10
Somewhat Expensive.

There are two popular and easily
obtained antifreezing substances
which when used in proper proper
tons will prevent the radiator con-
tents from suffering damage during
cold weather, according to Ernest
Coler in Motor Life. The first Of these
Is calcium chloride, the other alcohol.
Calcium chloride comes in the form
Of salt, and Is sold under its own
name as well as under various pro-
prietary names which usually indicate
its freeze-proofing quality. When pur-
chased in the open market calcium
chloride is cheapest as we'll as most
uncertain; it should be tested care
fully, since it frequently contains i'm
purities and free acids which attack
aluminium as we'll as the metal and
solder Of radiators. Blue litmus paper,
when moistened with a calcium chlo-
ride solution containing acids will
turn pink. The salt may be neutralized
by the addition of soda ash or am
monia until the litmus paper no longer
turns pink.
Amount to Use.
The amount of calcium chloride to
be used in the cooling system depends
on the temperatures likely to be en-
countered and the capacity of the
radiator. Two pounds of calcium
chloride added to each gallon of wa
ter will keep the mixture from
freezing at temperatures not lower
than 19 degrees Fahrenheit. Three
pounds per gallon will withstand
temperature as low as two and a half
degrees Fahrenheit. Four pounds Of
calcium chloride in each gallon Of wa
ter will not freeze at 16 degrees below
zero.
The calcium chloride should be dis
solved in hot water, and care should
be exercised that none of the mixture
is spilled over. the radiator or other
parts on which it is apt to leave a
somewhat unsightly white deposit.
Whatever it lost Of the mixture by
evaporation should be replenished
from a saturated solution of calcium
chloride in water. Such saturated so
luton is made up by adding the salt
to hot water until the liquid refuses
to dissolve more of the salt and a
layer of undissolved calcium chloride
remains at the bottom of the container.
Cleaning Essential.
A point of great Importance is to
NI0An tho dfofnr fhnrn,prh11y hofnva
rendering it freeze-proof with calcium
chloride solution. This cleaning is
perhaps most competently done by one
of the radiator cleaning compounds
sold by dealers. The cleaning itself
serves twofold purpose. It frees the
radiator from accumulated rust, scale
and dirt, and incidentally is apt to
open tiny leaks which previous to the
cleaning were kept closed by dirt. If
the cleaning were neglected the cal
cium chloride solution would open
these small leaks in short order, the
solution, leaking out, would render the
spot unsightly, and a certain chemical
action would be set up at the mixtures
exit. All this is avoided, however, If
the radiator is cleaned out and all
leaks are repaired before the cooling
system is filed with antifreezing solu-
ton.
Denatured alcohol, enjoys well-de-
served popularity with motorists who
during cold weather render their radia-
tors and engine jackets immune to
damage by adding alcohol to the wa
ter. The advantages Of alcohol are
that it does not have any destructive
action on rubber connections or on
metal, that it will not form deposits
Of foreign matter and produces no
electrolytic effects. The drawbacks of
alcohol-f they may be called such
are, that it is somewhat expensive,
and that it boils at lower temperatures
than water, and must therefore be re.
plenished from time to time.