Distilled water will work fine for flushing as well...
Distilled Water in Radiator
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
Distilled Water in Radiator
I am getting ready to flush the radiator system on my 2001 and wondered if there was any downside from a corrosion/boiling point standpoint as to why using Distilled Water might be a bad idea. The tap water out here is VERY HARD, so I was thinking Distilled may be a good idea for the flush and refill. Any thoughts?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Distilled water is fine and put in "water wetter." Water wetter is a lubricant.
Water is a better heat conductor then coolent, and you live far enough south to not worry too much about freezing temps
Water is a better heat conductor then coolent, and you live far enough south to not worry too much about freezing temps
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 654
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From: Prescott Valley Arizona
I am getting ready to flush the radiator system on my 2001 and wondered if there was any downside from a corrosion/boiling point standpoint as to why using Distilled Water might be a bad idea. The tap water out here is VERY HARD, so I was thinking Distilled may be a good idea for the flush and refill. Any thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
$2 investment, use distilled water with Dexcool; don't buy the 50/50 Dexcool, it's the same as paying double for the 100% bottle
funny what people pay for convenience
funny what people pay for convenience
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Longview Texas
That is why you should never run 100% water, even though it provides more heat transfer capacity.
Also, I always use distilled water to avoid buidling up deposits from minerals found in most tap water. Prestone used to sell de-ionized water, but I guess they quit selling it because people would not pay the same for water as they were paying for antifreeze. Distilled water is cheap ($.50/gal) and provides most of the same benefits.
Burning Brakes
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From: Guelph Ontario
Melting Slicks
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From: pawleys island sc
Melting Slicks
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Racer
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(page 5-32 in the 2003 book)
It says......clean drinkable water and Dex-Cool
Melting Slicks
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From: I have to return some videotapes
FWIW- I just did mine this past weekend. I drained, refilled, cycled, drained twice with distilled water, and used less than four gallons total. I had to pay up for the stuff at Publix since WM was out of stock, so it cost me about $1 per gallon--pretty cheap when spread over a five year service cycle. I've seen the deposites left by our tap water, and I don't want that **** in my cooling system. 
Burning Brakes
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From: Green Lane Pennsylvania
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: I have to return some videotapes
But, your point is well taken--I probably do take better care of the car than I do of myself.
