Distilled water!!!

[jugodegolf]

just browsed through joker's radaitor thread.

As those that know me I'm a work in progress as far as the mechanical side goes. I do read quite a bit. Anyways is it pretty much common knowledge to use distilled water/antifreeze mix? If you use regular water minerals will do their work over time and you will have rust.

George

 

[figgie]

ummm....

¿QUE?

 

[SupraMario]

He is drunk. LOL
I think he is saying that regular tap water is bad mmmmkay.
And distilled water/anti-freeze mix is fine.

 

[jugodegolf]

como?

Just trying to help out as alot of people are doing build and replacing their radiators and it is best to use distilled water.

 

[jugodegolf]

He is drunk. LOL
I think he is saying that regular tap water is bad mmmmkay.
And distilled water/anti-freeze mix is fine.

Si yo es borracho....Not.

that is what I was trying to say. now I will have to reread it.:3d_frown:

 

[SupraMario]

Si yo es borracho....Not.

that is what I was trying to say. now I will have to reread it.:3d_frown:

LOL.

Is the translation of that "Yes, I'll take the burrito"

 

[figgie]

jugodegolf

let me help you

just browsed through joker's radaitor thread.

As those that know me, I'm a work in progress as far as the mechanical side goes. I do read quite a bit. Anyways, is it common knowledge to use distilled water/antifreeze mix? If you use regular water, the minerals within the water will accelerate rust over time in the cooling system.

George

though that statement is incorrect. Rust is a by product of oxidation, which on an Iron block, will happen regardless unless Oxygen can be removed entirely from the system.

 

[jugodegolf]

jugodegolf

let me help you



though that statement is incorrect. Rust is a by product of oxidation, which on an Iron block, will happen regardless unless Oxygen can be removed entirely from the system.

What about the radiator? The new shiny koyo one.

 

[jugodegolf]

LOL.

Is the translation of that "Yes, I'll take the burrito"

I'm cracking up. borracho should mean drunk at least with all the mexicans I drink with.

 

[ForcedTorque]

I just posted in that thread that his coolant looked like straight water

 

[jugodegolf]

I just posted in that thread that his coolant looked like straight water

Didn't want to hijack thread, and I know there is a bunch of new guys. Even Noah said use distilled water.
Good thing I have rino skin.:3d_frown: and drink like a fish.:3d_frown:

 

[Justin727]

go grab some out of the river you'll be good. heck sewage water isn't too bad untreated

 

[Adawg]

+1 for using distill water. using tap water has mineral and may deposit inside the radiator overtime causing clog. NO it won't kill your car or watsoever, just like using reg. motor oil vs. synthetic

 

[GrimJack]

Simple version: distilled water is good.

Complicated version: This actually depends on a lot of variables. Some places tap water is nearly as good as distilled. Some places, tap water is awful. Vegas comes to mind. I've never run into water with enough mineral content that it could block the system, but I'm from Vancouver, Canada, where we have some of the best natural water on the planet. Water that bad might very well exist, I just haven't seen it.

As mentioned above, correctly, rust in the coolant is caused by oxidation of the iron block by the oxygen in the water. Furthermore, as our coolant system is almost a sealed system, there will only be so much rust produced before all the oxygen is gone from the coolant. Same basic theory as boilers.

There's another factor as well, called galvanic corrosion, due to dissimilar metals in our cooling system mixed with water that is capable of carrying an electrical current. A bit of background here - pure water doesn't conduct. Water has to have impurities in it to carry a current. Therefore, using distilled water drops the level of impurities, making your coolant less conductive, thereby dropping the chances of galvanic corrosion. The antifreeze that you put in is designed to help with this as well.

Ya, I know, clear as mud.

 

[SySt]

Simple version: distilled water is good.

Complicated version: This actually depends on a lot of variables. Some places tap water is nearly as good as distilled. Some places, tap water is awful. Vegas comes to mind. I've never run into water with enough mineral content that it could block the system, but I'm from Vancouver, Canada, where we have some of the best natural water on the planet. Water that bad might very well exist, I just haven't seen it.

As mentioned above, correctly, rust in the coolant is caused by oxidation of the iron block by the oxygen in the water. Furthermore, as our coolant system is almost a sealed system, there will only be so much rust produced before all the oxygen is gone from the coolant. Same basic theory as boilers.

There's another factor as well, called galvanic corrosion, due to dissimilar metals in our cooling system mixed with water that is capable of carrying an electrical current. A bit of background here - pure water doesn't conduct. Water has to have impurities in it to carry a current. Therefore, using distilled water drops the level of impurities, making your coolant less conductive, thereby dropping the chances of galvanic corrosion. The antifreeze that you put in is designed to help with this as well.

Ya, I know, clear as mud.

That is a great explanation. Funny how many people will look at you like you are retarded when you say water does not conduct electricity, yet it is them that are wrong... One small thing you didn't mention is that minerals inside tap water can cause more erosion over time and probably will not transfer thermal energy as well. This may all be reletively small effects of using tap water over pure water. I do not know a single professional mechanic that uses pure water when they do cooling system work so it is by no means the end of the world if you use tap water.

 

[jugodegolf]

Appreciate the info Grim. From what I read on road racing, note not everyday driving!! the greater the water/antifreeze ratio the quicker it cools. Everyone suggested distilled water

Antifreeze is needed for extreme temps both cold/high.

Justin We always used the water from the Rio Grande River.:3d_frown:

[/IMG]

 

[IJ.]

Stops being "distilled" the instant it touches metal

 

[ForcedTorque]

stops being "distilled" the instant it taps metal

ftfy

 

[Justin727]

you trying to call me a "Wetback" Georgio?

 

[GrimJack]

Stops being "distilled" the instant it touches metal

Yup, pretty much. I've never seen anyone do a chemical analysis to find out if the reduction from distilled water is worth the effort.

I've personally put over a million kilometers on an engine using the local tapwater, so I rarely worry about it... but of course, your mileage may vary, and considering the difference in tapwater around the world, it may vary by a LOT.