Which Water for Cooling System?

[HighMileage]

I just drained my old coolant/water mix. It looked ok but was old. I filled with water…ran up to operating temp….drained. Repeat until clear.

I use Conventional Green and RMI.

Q: Which water? Distilled? Filtered spring water? Chlorinated tap water?


Thx.

 

[TexasT]

I would do distilled but I'm kinda cheap so mine usually just comes out of the hose unless I plan accordingly.

 

[HighMileage]

I would do distilled but I'm kinda cheap so mine usually just comes out of the hose unless I plan accordingly.

Thanks for the reply. I heard distilled attracts minerals and causes corrosion. But who knows? That’s why I’d like to see what others use.

 

[TexasT]

Why You Should Never Use Distilled Water in Your Cooling System | Rislone

Many people have "heard" that distilled water is the best water to use in a cooling system. This is wrong! Let us tell you why.

rislone.com

You might be right. I guess i'm ok with the hose water.

 

[HighMileage]

Why You Should Never Use Distilled Water in Your Cooling System | Rislone

Many people have "heard" that distilled water is the best water to use in a cooling system. This is wrong! Let us tell you why.

rislone.com

You might be right. I guess i'm ok with the hose water.

I knew I heard something about Distilled not being good. Only good for batteries. I think my dad said it 20 yrs ago.

I’m leaning towards the filtered spring water at Walmart. Comes in gallon jugs like distilled. They have Nursery Water,too. I wonder what that is.

 

[deezdad]

I know its frowned upon for being a waste of $ and stupid & lazy & all that crap but I use 50/50 premix.. I just trust whatever water prestone is using is good, another benefit is I periodically drain my radiators & refill with new & everything stays 50/50 (New England) without breaking out the measuring cups & science lab beakers.

 

[HighMileage]

I know its frowned upon for being a waste of $ and stupid & lazy & all that crap but I use 50/50 premix.. I just trust whatever water prestone is using is good, another benefit is I periodically drain my radiators & refill with new & everything stays 50/50 (New England) without breaking out the measuring cups & science lab beakers.

I use a simple coolant tester. Just the right amount of Conventional Green,RMI and water for 60-70%.

 

[deezdad]

Just searched it, prestone uses demineralized water. Then searched that vs distilled for some interesting reading.. distilled is go to popular opinion same way most think 160° tstat is the only way to go.. till you start reading

 

[HighMileage]

Just searched it, prestone uses demineralized water. Then searched that vs distilled for some interesting reading.. distilled is go to popular opinion same way most think 160° tstat is the only way to go.. till you start reading

Found this about distilled:

“But the problem is that when water is distilled, or “stripped,” of its minerals and impurities, the resulting solution is composed of chemically imbalanced “ions.” This leaves distilled water “ionically hungry,” so it will actually strip electrons from the metals in a cooling system as it attempts to chemically re-balance itself”

 

[John Larkin]

Walmart sells purified water for $1.37/gal. That ought to quinch your OCD just fine.

"A prominent example is the production of Bottled Purified Water, which involves using purification processes such as distillation, deionization, or reverse osmosis to remove impurities. " - from aquascience.com.

 

[HighMileage]

Walmart sells purified water for $1.37/gal. That ought to quinch your OCD just fine.

"A prominent example is the production of Bottled Purified Water, which involves using purification processes such as distillation, deionization, or reverse osmosis to remove impurities. " - from aquascience.com.

It looks like I’ll be going with the Walmart Filtered Spring Water. I don’t want something that’s going to be looking for minerals in the cooling system.

 

[Nigel]

“But the problem is that when water is distilled, or “stripped,” of its minerals and impurities, the resulting solution is composed of chemically imbalanced “ions.” This leaves distilled water “ionically hungry,” so it will actually strip electrons from the metals in a cooling system as it attempts to chemically re-balance itself”

That statement is BS.

Distilled water (while still not ultra pure which is an expensive process) has (virtually) no ions which is a good thing. Pure water will not conduct electricity which means it will not promote galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals (iron and aluminum). It will also not leave deposits from the hardness. Additionally it will not have any dissolved elements which will eliminate deposits.
The worst thing you can due is put chlorine in the system. Chlorine is a powerful oxidizing agent.
Soft water is better than hard water, and no the softener does not replace the hard water ions with salt ions, you end up with a small amount of trace salt because salt is used to recharge the resin bed. The resin bed removes the ions. But the softener does remove dissolved elements, only ionized chemical compounds.
Distilled water, with the proper additives is good. The additives promote heat transfer, stop freezing, and inhibit corrosion. i.e. a good antifreeze with distilled water. Since pure water is an excellent solvent, the additives also inhibit any metal becoming dissolved in the coolant.

 

[Nigel]

Just searched it, prestone uses demineralized water. Then searched that vs distilled for some interesting reading.. distilled is go to popular opinion same way most think 160° tstat is the only way to go.. till you start reading

I think your good. You don't want to use straight distilled water or demineralized without an additive. With the proper additives it is the way to go.

 

[deezdad]

Again all these theories & variables.. I figure let the dang coolant corporations do the engineering but ya if your going for something other than 50/50 you'll have to make a decision on what to mix with.. it's Probly like the old man that lives till 102 on bacon eggs cigs & hi-balls u might be fine taking a wizz into the radiator.

 

[deezdad]

Again all these theories & variables.. I figure let the dang coolant corporations do the engineering but ya if your going for something other than 50/50 you'll have to make a decision on what to mix with.. it's Probly like the old man that lives till 102 on bacon eggs cigs & hi-balls u might be fine taking a wizz into the radiator.

Hope you don't mind me sharing your secret @Chuck Leeper

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Hope you don't mind me sharing your secret @Chuck Leeper

Branch water and a qt of horse piss and we're good to go!