Water in coolant

[Zac Zec]

Just wondering what peoples opinions are on using normal tap water with their coolant or distiled water.

[bazooked]

how long do u want ur engine to last?
rain water or distilled is the only way to go.

[nicbeer]

If using tap water as get home remedy, drain when possible.

but yeh i use only distilled cept for above.

nic

[KiwiBacon]

It depends on the chemistry of your local tap water.

Some places have acidic water that eats metal over time, some places have hard water that forms deposits over time. For people in those type of places it matters soo much more.

If you live in a place with clean, neutral pH water then it's not really an issue.

[Shadow]

just use tapwater

[Ruffy]

I think you should be more concerned with the quality and concentrate of the coolant/inhibitor that you use.
Tap water will be fine with a quality coolant unless you have adversly bad water where you live.

[mud4b]

honestly bud if it worries you that much just buy premixed coolant....


i dont think it really makes fawkall difference between natural and tap water if mixed properly... the time people keep cars it will not die from that i can assure you...

cheers mark

[Zac Zec]

I think you should be more concerned with the quality and concentrate of the coolant/inhibitor that you use.
Tap water will be fine with a quality coolant unless you have adversly bad water where you live.

What do you recommend???



the weird thing is that with normal tap water in the radiator my low coolant alarm works perfectly but in distilled water it will go off unusually. ie would be going full boar then come to an idle and the thing would go off. Now with tap water it seems to be fine , self tests on start up then you dont hear the thing unless necessary.



It works off earth through the water but cant work out why its different on each types

[Micky-Lux]

It works on the conductivity of the water.

Pure water is actually an insulator, not a conductor. The reason tap water conducts is because of the impurities in it.

That said, I've only ever run tap water in my cooling system with a quality inhibitor. I don't think distilled water makes farkall difference. If you change your coolant regularly it shouldn't be a prob.

Distilled water in batteries, however, is a totally different story.

[Zac Zec]

It works on the conductivity of the water.

Pure water is actually an insulator, not a conductor. The reason tap water conducts is because of the impurities in it.

That said, I've only ever run tap water in my cooling system with a quality inhibitor. I don't think distilled water makes farkall difference. If you change your coolant regularly it shouldn't be a prob.

Distilled water in batteries, however, is a totally different story.

Whats brands are quality inhibitors

[Shadow]

It works on the conductivity of the water.

Pure water is actually an insulator, not a conductor. The reason tap water conducts is because of the impurities in it.

That said, I've only ever run tap water in my cooling system with a quality inhibitor. I don't think distilled water makes farkall difference. If you change your coolant regularly it shouldn't be a prob.

Distilled water in batteries, however, is a totally different story.

Whats brands are quality inhibitors

the stuff toyota sells is supposed to be the ducks nuts, but its as dear as poison too (note, it actually is pooison, dont drink it!)

[nicbeer]

the castrol cans seem good and cheap also. hitech usually has them.

Have also heard the tap water eats into the allow heads but not sure on this, could also be quality of tap water as mentioned

[HotFourOk]

I used Caltex Havoline coolant with tap water last change and its been perfect in a slightly over 50:50 mix.

Next change I may try distilled water.. but as said, there is lots of other things that will kill your motor before using tap water in your radiator.

I've also contemplated Redline 'Water Wetter'... anyone got opinions on this?? The thoery seems to work, although good advertising can sometimes be misleading.

[j-top paj]

i just use nulon and tap water.
when i get my front oil seal replaced il be changing to nulon red coolant and im guessing the mechanic will be using distilled water or whatever.
but like it has been said before, i dont plan on keeping the trol till im 50 so i doubt tap water will make a difference

[Ruffy]

If you're not travelling in regions regularly below zero then an inhibitor will be fine.
Nulon is a good product
Tectaloy GOLD is a good product.
Castrol make great coolants.
Use a name brand and mix it as per the instructions on the pack.
I'm not a fan of premixes as you can't replace all the contents of the cooling system without removing the heater and knocking out the welsh plugs!.

If you are in below zero regions then Castrol coolant or BP coolant also tectaloy coolant.

Cheers Dan

[bazooked]

ya really need to stay away from glycol based products, its very bad for us and the enviroment,( puts on greenie flame proof suit) ,
best advice go see john at choice radiators, he makes the best coolant around, ive been using it for years, ya cant go wrong.

[trains]

Chaps, I have used the motorcraft r13b or equiv for years in many vehicles using filtered water.
Cheap from motortraders, or ford in concentrate form bout 12bucks.
Fathers XE 6cyld with 250 on the clock, always used the stuff, and never needed to take the head off.
I use it in my 2.8 diesel lux, and very happy with its corrosion inhibitor qualities.

Trains

[bazzle]

ya really need to stay away from glycol based products, its very bad for us and the enviroment,( puts on greenie flame proof suit) ,
best advice go see john at choice radiators, he makes the best coolant around, ive been using it for years, ya cant go wrong.

Yup... Im off to see John.

How long will it take me to drive from Melbourne??

Bazzle

[nastytroll]

for those of us that are greenies you can buy food grade glycol that is enviro freindly, dont know how it would go in a rad tho

[bazooked]

ya really need to stay away from glycol based products, its very bad for us and the enviroment,( puts on greenie flame proof suit) ,
best advice go see john at choice radiators, he makes the best coolant around, ive been using it for years, ya cant go wrong.

Yup... Im off to see John.

How long will it take me to drive from Melbourne??

Bazzle

might take ya a while, plus zac is this side of the country.