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I replaced my waterpump, all heater and radiator hoses. I didn't flush the block. I've seen several posts talking about distilled water. Is it a good idea?
I replaced my waterpump, all heater and radiator hoses. I didn't flush the block. I've seen several posts talking about distilled water. Is it a good idea?
Mike, ONLY USE DISTILLED WATER 50% AND 50% anti-freeze.
If it's not too late, drain the block too. Only the knock sensors need to be removed. I always use distilled water too. At 89 cents at Walmart, you only need 2 gallons or so with antifreeze so the cost is minimal. I actually use distilled water and Water Wetter for my race car with no antifreeze. Cools better and in the Bay Area, the block won't freeze.
The knock sensors are at the bottom of the block just above the oil pan rail and close to the motor mounts. Each sensor will have a small metal heat shield that has to be removed to expose them. IIRC, you need a 21 or 22mm socket to remove them. When you re-install them, make sure the threads are clean in both the block and on the sensors. Use anti-seize on the threads. Do not use teflon tape!!
For your 96, it uses DexCool antifreeze. Some say you can use tap water with Dex but distilled water is only about a buck a gallon at any grocery store. You can uby pre-mix but it will be cheaper to buy the concentrated Dex and mix it yourself in a 50-50 ratio.
Don't forget to remove the plastic overflow tank and clean it out. Then once you have the fresh coolant in, fill the tank to the COLD line.
Then once you have the fresh coolant in, fill the tank to the COLD line.
And don't forget to bleed the air out of the system. I recommend a re-bleed after each of the first three to five heat cycles, as you'll get a bit more air out.
From: Gaithersburg MD A member since 2007 but then the computer crashed and then the car crash loss of memory X 2
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
The knock sensors are at the bottom of the block just above the oil pan rail and close to the motor mounts. Each sensor will have a small metal heat shield that has to be removed to expose them. IIRC, you need a 21 or 22mm socket to remove them. When you re-install them, make sure the threads are clean in both the block and on the sensors. Use anti-seize on the threads. Do not use teflon tape!!
For your 96, it uses DexCool antifreeze. Some say you can use tap water with Dex but distilled water is only about a buck a gallon at any grocery store. You can uby pre-mix but it will be cheaper to buy the concentrated Dex and mix it yourself in a 50-50 ratio.
Don't forget to remove the plastic overflow tank and clean it out. Then once you have the fresh coolant in, fill the tank to the COLD line.
If the coolant doesnt come out with some force use a small, stiff piece of coat hanger to punch through the plug of dexcool that will probably be inside the block at the knock sensor hole.
I knew someone would guilt me into the knock sensors. It was actually the easiest part of this project. Both came out with no problem, the holes in the block were clean, maybe 30 minutes max and another gallon of coolant came out. I really appreciate the feed back everyone provides. Thanks.
What I get is you keep posting the same senseless pic and don't explain the waste of time it is to screw in those barbs and connect those hoses. Once the knock sensors are pulled you already have a mess of coolant coming out. By the time you get the barbs screwed in, the block has already drained.
The correct question is how do you get the barbed fittings screwed in w/o coolant draining all over the place?
BTW: PLRX,,,you posted invalid links.
And, yes, if you don't use distilled (or mineral-free) water, you're more prone to getting deposits/build-up on your radiator.
Haha. Yeah, looks like a waste of time to me. By the time you get the barbs on there, the coolant has already drained out of the block. All that is left is to run water through the block and let it drain out the knock sensor holes which will also wash off any coolant residue.
What I get is you keep posting the same senseless pic and don't explain the waste of time it is to screw in those barbs and connect those hoses. Once the knock sensors are pulled you already have a mess of coolant coming out. By the time you get the barbs screwed in, the block has already drained.
well, I'm not 70 yet. I'm pretty fast and many others suggested this to me two years ago.
You must be a slow poke if the block would drain on you.
The ions and minerals common in tap water can be corrosive to engine parts. Plus it depletes the anti-corrosion additives that most antifreezes contain.
Is your engine going to blow up by running tap water out of the garden hose? No.
Distilled water on the other hand is free of impurities. It's boiled and it's steam is collected so all impurities are gone.
In car battery maintenance distilled water is recommended for topping off when low. Why? Because the ions in tap water shorten the battery's lifespan. The last thing anyone wants is to shorter their battery life.
Distilled water is like .80 cent a gallon at the grocery store anyway.