Distilled water in your cooling?

[mikey9]

Does anyone use this place of vanilla flavoured hosepipe water....

Gowesty seem to think this is quite important saying:

Coolant type: The color and brand of the coolant does not matter, as long as it is PHOSPHATE-FREE. We simply cannot overstate this. If you don't run phosphate-free coolant, your engine will suffer.

Water type: It is very important to use only DISTILLED WATER! This detail is probably more important than using phosphate-free coolant, but let's not tempt the devil"use phosphate-free coolant, too!

I don't think I have seen this discussed on here (and search comes up with nothing)?

I just had a search and cost is bout £3 per litre........

[Mr Bean]

[quote="mikey9"
Water type: It is very important to use only DISTILLED WATER! This detail is probably more important than using phosphate-free coolant, but let's not tempt the devil"use phosphate-free coolant, too![/quote]
I just had a search and cost is bout £3 per litre........ [/quote]

This sounds to me like the words of a vegan or one of these alternative medicine buffs who of course are welcome to their views and beliefs as I am to mine Given an anual change of water any trace element in your water will in my opinion be negligable. The most harmful substance in our tap water is calcium in my opinion but again the amount present is negligable in a one fill per year scenario. Nice for your formula one jobbie maybe but not for our workaday machines surely.
Cheers
Ken

[Titus A Duxass]

I agree with Ken, sounds like complete "Balls" to me.

[mikey9]

Perhaps californian water is more corrosive/polluted....?

They do seem to know their onions over at gowesty tho

[lloyd]

Google "distilled water in coolant" and read. It's pretty clear why useing distilled / deionized water is better.

[bigherb]

As lloyd says distilled water should always be used in cooling systems mainly to stop Electrolysis Corrosion (stray electrical voltages running through the water and working something like electro plating). And lets face it a Wasser Boxer needs all the help it can get.

[shane r]

So what sort of coolant should be used and what is the mix?

[dearjohn]

Distilled water in batteries,for sure, never heard of needing it in cooling system. Was, however always told to use rainwater, not mains water in the battery if distilled not available. I have an Agricultural backgroung, and certin tractor makers insist you buy "coolant fluid" and NEVER water in their engines. ( John Deere and Valmet)
Nigel.

[gally]

use only deionised water (distilled water)
or just g12 coolant neat. most coolants say do not add water.
have u seen the inside of ur kettle after a year or 2 ?
gally

[Mocki]

i always use bottled water in the cooling system, have done for years, 19p per two litres, but i live in a hard water area, and calgon didnt seem like a good idea!!

dont use g12 tho, as comma is same spec 1/4 of the price!

[lloyd]

Distilled water in batteries,for sure, never heard of needing it in cooling system. Was, however always told to use rainwater, not mains water in the battery if distilled not available. I have an Agricultural backgroung, and certin tractor makers insist you buy "coolant fluid" and NEVER water in their engines. ( John Deere and Valmet)
Nigel.

Reason certin tractor makers insist on you using coolant fluid instead of antifreeze and water is because they mix the coolant fluid in a 50/50 mix (maybe 60/40) of antifreeze and distilled /ionized water.

As bigherb said, it's because impurities can cause electrolysis on all the different metals in cooling system. Remember, there is steel, iron, copper, aluminium, maybe some brass and who knows what else. Electrolysis means metal is pulled from one place and deposited elsewhere... kept in suspension in coolant. Ever notice how the fittings (usually aluminium) where hoses attach to coolant system are often pitted and eaten away? Electrolysis

[mikey9]

So - there seems to be a consesus forming that YES - distilled water is a bloomin good idea - backing up what Gowesty suggest.
For the cost of 9 litres - I will be putting it in when my engine can hold water again!

[BigTam]

I only use distilled whisky in my water,

[lloyd]

I only use distilled whisky in my water,

[jamesc76]

Sorry but thats utter bull been in the motor trade for over 15 years and never heard of that only distiled water for batterys !!!!!!!!