Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Coolant flush

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 03:02 PM
  #1  
kbf1961's Avatar
kbf1961
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Grays Harbor ,WA
Coolant flush

Just got the Dieselsite coolant filter kit and am getting ready to install. Can somebody please explain to me why it is so important to flush with distilled water. I can somewhat understand running distilled water in the system, but why is it so important to flush with distilled.
 
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 03:38 PM
  #2  
elee3's Avatar
elee3
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 242
From: North Florida
I don't think it is important to flush with distilled water, but if you do a big flush with tap water, then you will need to do a full flush with distilled afterward in order to have the system have just distilled water and coolant (equal parts) when finished.
 
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 05:48 PM
  #3  
Rusty Axlerod's Avatar
Rusty Axlerod
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Club FTE Gold Member
08-01-2011, 09:58 AM
Special Ed

Freshman User
Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Plainfield, IL
Posts: 42


Minerals are harmful...reduced protection, reduced coolant life, increased maintenance, and premature repair. The quality of water that you use will determine the overall efficiency, reliability, and longevity of the cooling system.

__________________________________________________ _______________


08-01-2011, 11:47 AM
Rusty Axlerod

Senior User
Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Alabama
Posts: 490


Not to get all "sciencey" but corrosion or rusting as it happens in your coolant system is an electrochemical process. Distilled water doesn't conduct electricity very well so it inhibits corrosion. Adding minerals, oxides, and salts (like tap water) make it a good conductor, which promotes corrosion. Most people don't realize pure water (h2o) is an insulator.
__________________________________________________ _______________

Also, check this thread on corrosion:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...nt-filter.html

Many people flush with tap water and use distilled the last time Before adding antifreeze. Maybe tap water is all flushed out maybe not?
 
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 09:57 PM
  #4  
jonathonjeremiah's Avatar
jonathonjeremiah
New User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
+1 for the distilled water- the water in my area is too hard. Its just not worth the risk. Distilled water is less than $1 at the local Wall mart.
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2011 | 10:26 AM
  #5  
grantpage's Avatar
grantpage
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
I would use distilled water also just b/c it is very inexpensive to be sure of less minerals. I know you can buy test strips to test your tap water to see if it is ok to use.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
richlars
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
Jun 26, 2018 05:39 PM
Monster Moovers
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Nov 1, 2014 10:18 AM
Heckler
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Aug 27, 2010 09:32 PM
DISLFVR
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
10
Jun 29, 2007 07:30 AM
1978Crew
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
7
Feb 26, 2006 03:47 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:28 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 09:39:23


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE