C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Distilled or tap water?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 06:40 PM
  #1  
Mike96Coupe's Avatar
Mike96Coupe
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Ohio
Default Distilled or tap water?

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?
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 06:44 PM
  #2  
pmihaltian's Avatar
pmihaltian
Slingshot
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Default

Originally Posted by Mike96Coupe
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.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 06:52 PM
  #3  
MissileDoc's Avatar
MissileDoc
Burning Brakes
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 935
Likes: 385
Default

Originally Posted by pmihaltian
Mike, ONLY USE DISTILLED WATER 50% AND 50% anti-freeze.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 06:55 PM
  #4  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

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.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 07:04 PM
  #5  
Mike96Coupe's Avatar
Mike96Coupe
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Ohio
Default

I haven't looked for the knock sensors. Any words of wisdom to help with the removal and install. Thanks,
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 07:37 PM
  #6  
c4cruiser's Avatar
c4cruiser
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

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.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 07:54 PM
  #7  
SJW's Avatar
SJW
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 2,281
From: Central Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by c4cruiser
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.

Live well,

SJW
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 08:11 PM
  #8  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

A 7/8' wrench will also work for the knock sensors. If you're doing it from the bottom, don't wear your best clothes.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 09:07 PM
  #9  
PLRX's Avatar
PLRX
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Default

Originally Posted by 383vett
A 7/8' wrench will also work for the knock sensors. If you're doing it from the bottom, don't wear your best clothes.


something like this

Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 09:29 PM
  #10  
samsonb's Avatar
samsonb
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by PLRX


something like this

What's the point of the hoses?
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 09:46 PM
  #11  
larry93lt1's Avatar
larry93lt1
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 2
From: Gaithersburg MD A member since 2007 but then the computer crashed and then the car crash loss of memory X 2
Default

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.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 10:18 PM
  #12  
Mike96Coupe's Avatar
Mike96Coupe
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Ohio
Default

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.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 10:43 PM
  #13  
PLRX's Avatar
PLRX
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Default

I made a bet with my girlfriend that you would post the same senseless question.

Originally Posted by joshwilson3
What's the point of the hoses?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1575625045-post15.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1574536328-post31.html

you dont get it dont you...
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 10:47 PM
  #14  
JrRifleCoach's Avatar
JrRifleCoach
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Default

Originally Posted by pmihaltian
Mike, ONLY USE DISTILLED WATER 50% AND 50% anti-freeze.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 11:32 PM
  #15  
GREGGPENN's Avatar
GREGGPENN
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by joshwilson3
What's the point of the hoses?
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.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 11:42 PM
  #16  
samsonb's Avatar
samsonb
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by PLRX
I made a bet with my girlfriend that you would post the same senseless question.



http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1575625045-post15.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1574536328-post31.html

you dont get it dont you...
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.
Reply
Old Nov 15, 2010 | 11:44 PM
  #17  
samsonb's Avatar
samsonb
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
Default

Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
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.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Distilled or tap water?

Old Nov 16, 2010 | 12:03 AM
  #18  
PLRX's Avatar
PLRX
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Default

Originally Posted by joshwilson3
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.

here, let me help you one last time john wilson

http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-r...treatment.html
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2010 | 12:07 AM
  #19  
dogfish246's Avatar
dogfish246
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 10
From: North New Jersey
Default

Whats wrong with non distilled water?
Reply
Old Nov 16, 2010 | 12:31 AM
  #20  
86PACER's Avatar
86PACER
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Default

Originally Posted by dogfish246
Whats wrong with non distilled water?
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.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:17 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE