Every week or so I must travel off the mountain to head to The Big “PO” (Olongapo City) and not for the fun reasons like lunch/supper with friends, or lunch and a movie with my bride, but important stuff like shopping, renewing official papers licenses tags paying bills oh you get the picture. Most of the important trips I try to avoid, note I did say try.
Back in the mid 90’s when we were building our house on the mountain in Bataan, my wife was not happy about being so far from the market. The solution was to send her to “Mary Grace Driving School” and buy a car. It was quickly noted that the clutch pedal on the floor of my first car (Owner Jeep) was not conducive to Mayang’s happy motoring I’ll admit she tried, but driving from Olongapo to our house and never shifting out of second gear was not the best way to go.
Since I was leaving to go back out on ships, it occurred to me that an automatic transmission might just be the way to go. Note to Paul: Purchase car with an automatic, was my first good move in the transportation sector. She will never have to row (Shift) a car again.
One of my duties is the checking of all fluid levels in the car prior to the engine being turned over, and the transmission fluid while it’s running. While doing that this week I noted that the fluid in my cooling system was not green, it was clear or tubig, H2O or an item commonly referred to as water. Using water only in the Philippines vice coolant well, that is disaster waiting to rear its ugly head, Kuya Greg and the boys know I run all cars with 100% coolant, so I was at a loss as to why water was used. The answer I’ll explain later, as it is pure Pinoy economical logic.
Tuesday morning I drove down to the shop to have my system flushed and coolant added. I know that some people use different ratios in their car, the most common being 50-50 water and coolant. But after living in Florida and Puerto Rico I’m from the 100% coolant school of thought The Boys at the shop explained that they used water in case there were any leaks in the system after the engine rebuild and didn’t want to waste expensive coolant. (See I told you there would be a logical reason) Yupper; that kinda’ made sense to me, so now all is well under the hood once more, with the New Ole Honda.
One funny thing did happen, a new repairman under training, was assigned the not so complicated task of draining out the water and refilling the system with coolant, all under the watchful eye of Kuya Greg. All they had in stock was Whiz Coolant and it was a tad pricy, after four small cans they needed some more, then I remembered that I had a (YELLOW) container of Prestone in the trunk of the car, so I gave it to the recruit. The look on his face told me there seemed to be a problem, not the fact that I was supplying the coolant because that is accepted in the Philippines. But the fact that the Whiz he added to the car was green and the one I had he said was yellow. Well mine was in a yellow plastic container and for a fact when you look through the opening it did look yellow, but was really green. Hey he’s the new guy and wants to do a good job. Kuya Greg poured a little into the cap and showed him that it was green also. A mighty head scratch later and I was on the way out the door, mission accomplished.
I thought that it being only 0930 that morning and my work here must be done so I could head back to my mountain retreat and while away the hours in retired bliss, but I’d be so very wrong (And not my first time, mind you!). Mayang who had accompanied me, then smiled and pointed out that since it was so early, and that we were in town anyway, we should take care of other items too. You know, I had wondered why she made the trip with me it’s was so clear to me now. Shopping at Traders, Pure Gold and least we forget Royal Store. Off we go to replenish the larder once more.
But I won’t be alone; I’d dare say that the other Kano’s will be out in force dutifully pushing the shopping trolleys behind their wives as they also, were tricked into it, the same way I’d been.
This happened to me awhile back, when I was hoodwinked into a shopping trip, but then it was in the afternoon. I bought 12 cold cans of SMB beer and a bag of ice and hid in the parking lot. By the time Mayang and some of the ladies were done shopping, they found me and 4 other Kano’s out by our cars, happily consuming adult beverages and discussing weighty topics and solving the world’s problems. By the way, another speed run into the store was required for more beer as we were stuck solving a most difficult situation that was just in the headlines.
Each and every other fellow beer drinker blamed the afternoon on me, for which I readily accepted the responsibility, because, well, it was their only way out of trouble with their wives and they are a bit wimpy. Mayang already knew it was me that had caused the meeting, so it was a moot point for her.
Remember the automatic transmission? Of course she drove home, but on the way she explained that the other ladies were upset because their husbands never let them learn to drive. What foolish men they are, I’ve never been behind the wheel of any car in the Philippines even after consuming one beer. So I thought that my fellow Kano’s were dumb plus the wimpy part I referred to above.
It Italy in the 60’s they had no charge for drunk driving, as the logic was if you drove drunk you must be insane, so the police could commit a driver to a mental hospital without taking you to any court. Then you had to find away to be released after the mandatory 72 hours in the loony bin. If you’ve ever driven in Italy, it makes the Philippines look tame.
Home again, home again zigity zig! The rain is pouring down the pantry is restocked, the forecast is more rain, my roof is tight and water proof, all is well on a mountain in Bataan. I’ll be in town again this week, but I’ll guarantee beer will be involved this time.
Love the picture, you adjusting your own fluid levels lol.
John;
I do that a lot, I love the sight of a brass radiator filled with green water.
Paul, another thing about radiators. I knew a guy that after buying a new car. He would drain the cooling system and flush it with distilled water then fill it with 50/50 distilled water and coolant. The reason for the distilled water is that it has no minerals in it to help promote rusting. He would change it every 5 years and when he did, it came out looking the same way it did going in, no signs of rust.
WRBCLIMBER;
So if I leave out the distilled water and use 100 percent coolant will my radiator rust? But even at 100 percent I change it once a year. Mmmm I wonder if I should stop changing it and just add more green water?
Actually thermal heat transfer efficiency wise pure water is best…..but as you all know it promotes the nasties in the system. When I was helping out with dirt track race cars we used water only since the engines were pulled and rebuilt so often it did not matter. PURE distilled is better, but for anti corrosion ya cannot beat 100 percent AF however anything above 50 50 mix is a waste if anti corrosion is your goal.
However being in the Philippines Paul’s logic makes sense, and here’s why. IF you need a top off and you don’t have your own AF, then it won’t hurt to add water from time to time until the next change.
….and lastly, for those that want to mix their own, AMSOIL has a concentrated version that you can buy and ship to use in the islands if that’s your thing. They also have a 100,000 mile version that I use back home and it works great. Madebyprestone and others its pricy, but if you have NO leaks it’s well worth it.
Joe;
So, I guess 100% coolants are okay. Wow for a lead in to a story about days off the mountain, my radiator has sure over taken the story. This happens a lot on LiP so key phrase or word will take a story off on its own tangent. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but it sure is an odd thing. I can’t wait to see where next week’s article takes us.
Paul –
In my opinion, readers’ comments are a part of the reason why I continue to read LiP. I read no other Philippine-related websites, but LiP. When I log on to the website in the morning, the readers’ comments column is the FIRST thing I look at BEFORE I read any article. I find that readers’ comments are sometimes just as interesting to read, if not more, than the articles themselves. They are also entertaining and informative. Now, I browse through the readers’ comments column (there are 15 now, up from 10) to see if I’ve missed any comments since I went to bed the night before. Off-tangent discussions are an inevitable part of a reader’s comment. Without them, it’s like eating pinakbet without the bagoong.
John;
than we are of the same opinion, many times I’ll read the comments after glancing over the main story. Then I’ll try to figure if I guessed it right. What I commented to Tita Joe was not a complaint but more of an observation of what I noticed over the years. I’ve been fortunate as some of the comments have caused coffee to blow through my nose, they were so funny. And funny is my goal, it’s the main reason I replace so many keyboards on my “Puter”
The site I wrote for prior to Bob’s had no comment feedback section, which I found lacking so I’ll never understand it, but comments can go in any direction they want.
By the way how did we get on the subject of Pinabet” when we were talking about coolant? (LOL)
Paul – You see, I have long considered LiP pretty much like the barrio sari-sari store where folks congregate at the end of the day. It is a place to unwind after a hard day’s work in the field, to drink and be merry and share a pulutan while exchanging opinions on the latest happenings, such as the previous night’s elopement of the daughter of the richest man in town and the poor farmer whom he dislikes. This scenario is not unlike readers commenting on a LiP article. But, as to be expected in any community gathering – on LiP as well as at the sari-sari store – conversations may occasionally stray off course. However, such off-topic comments do sometimes add life and spice to the otherwise bland flavor of the main topic and the staid comments it generates.
Your articles, on the other hand, have no problem with lack of spice. Your readers are attuned to the standards you set, and are therefore pre-disposed to adding their own spices in the knowledge that you will always enhance them. Never do you disappoint.
As previously stated, off-tangent discussions are an inevitable part of readers’ comments. Without them, reading LiP is like eating pinakbet cooked without that essential spice called bagoong. It’s bland. 🙂
John;
That is a great analogy, “Hangin” at the Sari-Sari” I see your point completely.
I’ve tried a few times to write a serious article, but then I’d see the humor in it and revert back to form. When I read something serious, I’ll see the irony or humor and want to point it out, and often bite my tongue (Or keep it in cheek) as to not highjack the article. But sometimes, I must let my inner-devil run free especially on Face Book where it is so easy to do.
I just noticed something, Paul. Do you endorse Buick of Olongapo now? Your avatar reminds me of the Buick logo. LOL
John;
I spent the first three days of LiP.07 just trying to log in, when that emblem popped up, I just said to myself; “Self, good enough!”
After owning my first Lincoln I stopped buying all GM cars, but back in the day, I had them all.
A lot of people have the mistaken idea that the purpose of anti-freeze is only to keep the coolant from freezing. It is also to keep the coolant from boiling and the coolant system from rusting. Finished the anti SMB pills (don’t think they did me any good)(maybe they were fake pills just to keep me from enjoying the good life) just in time for the holiday coming up. In the spirit of brotherhood and goodwill we should celebrate the holiday friday by eating some pork, drinking some SMBs, and soothing our eyes by looking at some pretty young ladies.
hi there I’m coming to the Philippines on Friday the 9 can’t wait to see my lovely wife and be back in the Philippines yeah 🙂
Juan;
That’s sounds like some good news for the both of you!
Your right about the boiling and the anti-freeze. Plus a thing that the Jeepney drivers should look at is the reason for keeping the radiator cap on is that for every pound of pressure the boiling point of water goes up 3 degrees F. Most radiators are at 15 psi so that raises the temp by 45 degrees F. No wander the Jeepney drivers are adding water all the time, no cap and the water boils out.
Bill;
A jeepney driver on the side of the road refilling the radiator is a very common sight here. I didn’t know about the pressure temp difference, I thought they left the cap off so they wouldn’t scald themselves 7 or 8 times a day.
Loren (BigP)
My car has only overheated when the hose blew and my Son-in-law kept driving the car, and once before when my hose blew on my Owner Jeep and my Brother-in-law kept on driving the car. (1997) so, if I use 100% coolant and keep “IN-LAWS” from behind the wheel my car, my car will never overheat! Hey that just might work
If Mercer (Loren’s wife) was speaking Tagalog to the Doctor while you were there, then I’d be suspicious of those Anti-Drinking pills also.
But I have no idea what Holiday is coming up, but if it involves a cocktail, some food and looking at pretty ladies, well hell I’m there! And Sunday PapaDuck and his Bride Anne, are coming to the Big PO, would you like to join us in the Barrio for more of the same!
Holiday is end of ramadan or something, four day work week in the PI–thought the appropriate
way to celebrate would be smb’s, pork bbq, & no burkas. Yes I can see myself joining you all on Sunday.
Loren;
Ramalamadingdong? Well it’s as good a reason as any. I’ll call you.
“If you’ve ever driven in Italy, it makes the Philippines look tame.”
Except for Manilla, I’ll agree to that. We always joked that Italy was a 3rd world country in disguise. Combine 3rd world driving styles with European highways, and you should get the picture.
Good to know about the straight coolant bit. Thanks!
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
Naples or Rome it’s a mad house, I find Manila is tame because of gridlock. Italy the sidewalk is fair game if your car or scooter is small enough. Now a taxi ride in Mombasa Kenya is an E-ticket ride.
Hi Paul – On the topic of wifey-related trickery, I’m of the full belief that all the ladies are taught these things in school. Probably in some “home economics” course.
I made sure that my better half learned how to drive and has been supplied with automatic transmission cars. Now, the only trick left in her bag is being gone for hours after announcing that she’s just running into town for about 15 minutes. My response? More beer time for me! 😆
Paul;
Two like thinking guys, when Mayang is Out and About, me and the dogs for once are in charge, Then like you it’s Beer time, but I still try not to make any big decisions while she out, I like it on the edge, but not that close.
I am really considering importing a classic corvette, but I need air con and wondering how a big block would handle Manila traffic. Never thought of going 100% coolant. Will have to research this.
Also, Manila just passed the law on the drink driving laws and testing drivers if drunk. Thats why there is no longer the pee test for renewal of drivers license. Funny thing is that I think they only received 4 units in Manila. Wonder how they will enforce the law, dont even think they have the touch the nose or walk the white line test. Its more fun in the Phils.
Don;
I drove a 465 Cubic Inch Lincoln in Puerto Rico and Florida using 100% coolant and never had it overheat. But check on Philippine laws about importing V8’s.
I seen many laws passed here without any thought as to how they will enforce them. Roadside Drunk Olympics would be fun to watch, hell I’d pull over to watch that. And the repeating the alphabet, which one will they use English or Tagalog?
I always used distilled water, and if I brought my vehicle to a shop to have them flush and add new coolant, I would bring distilled water and ask them to use that instead of tap water. My well water as well as having minerals and being safe to drink, also has an acidity content that is not too friendly with metal such as my copper pipes and electric hot water heater. Fortunately, the engines and cooling systems that are in cars these days are more resistant to corrosion than those of a few decades ago, but I still prefer to use distilled water.
Bob NY
If I ever were to use any water I’d use distilled, but I found that pure coolant will not rust or corrode my cooling system. In New York or north of you in New England the 50/50 mixture is fine, but in a constantly hot environment like the Philippines I’d never mix water (Distilled) in my system.
WoW the engine in the new old Honda sure looks nice after the rebuild Paul. Your comment about Mayang driving home in secnd gear reminds me of the song ” Beep Beep ” by The Playmates. Thanks for another good article Paul, I am trying to picture hiding out, in the parking lot, enjoying a few SMB’s LOL.
Bob NY
Kuya Greg made sure the engine was clean and polished as he knows that’s the way I always keep my cars. Don’t ask me why, but I’ve done it since my first car.
Fortunately if you park in the shady area the parking lot is quite nice as a meeting area, the base police also don’t seem to care as long as you police the empties,
Paul,
Only in the Philippines with just water in the radiator. I have to agree Italy is crazy driving. I can remember riding 60 mph in a taxi through a very narrow alley. Anne and Myself are looking forward to seeing you guys Sunday. Have plenty of cold ones on standby.
PapaDuck;
Looking forward to seeing you both again! The beer stays ready. What back alley are you ttalking about? The one with the New York Night Club? See ya Sunday!
Hi Paul good story….have been on many ” just need to drop by the store for some small things ” shopping trips that lasted 3-4 hours. Ha Ha
About the Anti-freeze the 3 main reasons for using it is to keep from cracking eng. block (freezing Temps.) and rust ….but it also raises the boiling point to almost 250-260 degrees.
Dave;
The retailers here have torn a page out of the Big Box stores manual, selling clothing shoes household items and sundries and notions plus food. Now with that I hope people understand parking lots and beer!
When you live here fulltime the term anti-freeze becomes a term you’ll never use unless someone buys all the bags of ice from the 35 Sari-sari’s on your street and packs it under your hood (Bonnet if British)
Paul, The advantage of using 100% coolant is you dont get any pockets of steam, thus maintaining an even contact of liquid to the metal surfaces. The disadvantage is that coolant is not as efficient as water as absorbing/dispelling the heat, and your engine will run warmer. As far as distilled water goes, bad idea becaus there are little or no ions in the water. This means the water is ion hungry,(corrosive) and is looking for ions. This usually means it attacks the metal in your engine, unless of course you treat the water. (I know all this because I’m a boiler man)
just food for thought.
Hudson;
If a Boiler Tech doesn’t understand hot water than no one does. I learned a lot from this post and thank you. Using 100% coolant here in the Philippines has been good to me, I use a temp gauge in my cars and never an idiot light which is good if only I could get my brother/son-in-law to glance at it. My temp gauge always sits at the 25% mark well except twice that I wrote about.
Wow searching for ions, I’m surprised they’ve not made a reality TV show about that.