What type of water is best for the Coolng System?
#1
Posted 15 December 2006 - 09:41 PM
I have a 998 Mk1 Morris Cooper. I am about to drain the cooland, and replenish with new coolant. as well as check the thermostat.
I have Gycol based antifreeze concentrate, and as far as the Haynes Manual says, rainwater is the best water to use.
Because I would have to wait for ages to accumulate rain water, can I use de-ionised or distilled water with the Gycol antifreeze as the coolant mix?
What are the advantages, and disadvantages of using this type of water?
I have about 25 litres of the stuff, as I also use it for my radio control steam boat as it doesn't cause scaling in the boiler.
Thanks
#2
Posted 15 December 2006 - 09:47 PM
#3
Posted 15 December 2006 - 10:02 PM
#4
Posted 15 December 2006 - 10:04 PM
It should be the preffered water to use. Tap water is full of other C**p, though not a lot, it does settle out. The problem is that chlorine reacts with the Molybdate inhibitors in the antifreeze and causes it to drop out of solution. Theres not a lot of chlorine so is not dramatic in its effect, but worth noting all the same.
#5
Posted 15 December 2006 - 10:08 PM
I live in a hard water area, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire. So, rather than let the 25 litres of distilled water go to waste, should I use it in my cooling system?
I know that if I left it all for my R/C model steam boat it would last over 20 years!
Thanks
#6
Posted 15 December 2006 - 10:14 PM
#7
Posted 16 December 2006 - 11:33 AM
#8
Posted 16 December 2006 - 11:38 AM
#9
Posted 16 December 2006 - 11:50 AM
If you're worried about the chlorine then leave some tap water in a bucket overnight before using it. All the chlorine evaporates off of tap water really quickly as there's not a lot in it as Sprocket says. Since you have the stuff then why not use it, but then what happens in three years time when you need to change the coolant? Gonna use more of your supply? In a few years you'll have none left for the steam boat!
Little tip from my fishkeeping days, if you draw water during the week it tends to have a lower chlorine content than at the weekends for some reason I have forgotten. Its not loads but noticeable if you test the water.
Sticking an airstone in with the water will help it get rid of the chlorine faster as well, or you can use the 'de-chlorinator' solutions available in most fish/pet shops (shouldnt have any effect on the engine internals as its got to be safe for the fishys!)
Presumably you also want soft rather than hard water to help prevent the build up of limescale in the system so rainwater would also be good.
But hey, people have been using tap water for years so its probably not going to make any difference !
#10
Posted 16 December 2006 - 12:19 PM
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