Yes,I admit it,it was my own fault.One winter I had to take she who must be obeyed(hereafter known as 'the Missus') to see a specialist a fair way from home.It was bitterly cold but the old Carina got us there without a hint of trouble;no,it saved that for when we pulled into the nearby car park and I turned the engine off.There was a slight 'phut',like a polite cough,and steam erupted everywhere.I suggested to the missus that something might be amiss but she had other things on her mind.After seeing the doctor I found what I expected to find,that the old radiator had given up in view of the icy weather and had leaked water until dry.I hadn't put anti-freeze in because in the past it had caused leaks and I didn't want the trouble.Well,I had real trouble now,about twenty miles from home and no coolant.A pint or two of water usually resides in an old bleach bottle in the boot and this went in the radiator, and promptly out again through the rather impressive hole at the front.You won't believe this,or perhaps you will if you've owned a Toyota, but we drove home without a problem,if you discount me sweating every inch of the way,silently willing the car to keep going.The only sign of trouble was when we got into our road and an interesting knocking could be heard,as the big-ends protested about the excessive heat.

Next day we fitted a new radiator,filled up with water,crossed our fingers and started up.That was about eighteen months ago and the car's still going great.Without anti-freeze!