I have noticed alot of you guys don't recomend flushing with well water when you change coolant. But I have well water and also use a water softener , don't know if it would be ok to flush with this or not. Sorry if it's been discussed before, can't recall if it has. Thanks

 

I think the major reason for not using well water is all the extra minerals that it contains - you don't want those in your engine. Softened well water should be ok, since the water softner removes most of those minerals. But, I'm not 100% sure, because while the water softener does remove the calcium and magnesium (and sometimes iron), they replace them with either sodium or potassium depending on the type of crystals you use in your water softener. I don't know if the sodium or potassium is going to harm the internals at all. Now you've got me curious.

 

At 68 cents a gallon for distilled at Walmart, why would someone risk it?

 

I plan on using the Final Charge coolant from Walmart that is pre-mixed, it's just the issue of flushing the system with my water. Or can it be flushed out with water from a jug ?

 

The reason I choose to use concentrate ELC (Delo) is because the recommended % is 50-60% coolant to 50-40% water (DI or distilled). There are numerous water traps in the coolant system even when pulling the block drains such as the heater core. Any water trapped in these places will dilute a 50-50 premix to below the 50% minimum coolant ratio plus if using water that contains any mineralzation, these contaminants will be left in the system.

30 gallons of distilled was just over $20, gave me 3 good flushes plus more than enough to add to the concentrate. It took a while, but I did not pull the thermostat because it is such a PIA.

 

I was thinking of using running water because Kwik's method of flushing should ensure a total flush. IIRC, he pulled the block plugs, removed the cap and put a hose in there turned on full blast to keep water flushing through the system. Then he started the truck and ran it for a couple minutes to clear out all the parts of the block and the heater core, with the excess running out of the block drain plugs.

I was going to use this method because I plan on switching coolant types and I don't want to end up with a gelled mixture somewhere in my engine.

What do you think of Kwik's method?

 

I let the hose run for about 20 minutes with the engine idling.
I think there was maybe 2 molecules of green coolant left in the engine at the most.

 

go to a store that has a dispenser for distilled water, you can bring some old milk jugs, that water has had the minerals removed
I am not sure how many you need, but you will want to mix them with the coolant 50/50 in a big pail and or some spare coolant containers

 

I used softened well water. The way i did it was first drain the radiator, then flush out the heater core by taking the top hose off the water pump(the small one) and using the hose and spraying it until the water out of the raditor was clear. Then taking out the drain plugs, then ran water until that was clear. Then filled the entire system(installed drain plugs) with water. Ran the truck until the gauge was in the normal ranger for about 15 minutes to insure the water moved through everywhere. Redrained everything. Installed Final Charge from wally mart. Its pure red now.

On a further note: If you have not gotten the coolant from wally, then you might want to start now, since the first store i went to had 6 and the second store i went to had one closed one and one open one. I didnt have a choice, except i didnt even use the open one which i fround out after i got home it was opened. Wally really needs to check tho sort of things instead of allowing solicetors in their store. I was in the getting coolant, and before i even walked in the door someone was asking if i wanted M&M's, why the hell would i buy a $.50 cent bag from him for 2$ when i can walk in the store and buy it for 50 cents? Then inside was a DARE(anti drug campiagn to keep kids away from drugs that doesnt work!) and they told me for that day only i could get 2 shirts that they(dare) was selling for 20$. I told him i was on a business venture and only had a business credit card, if i charged anything that i wasnt supposed to I would be fired. It was a good line since right after that they said come back later if you change your mind.

Back on point, make sure to get all 8 gallons before assuming they have it.

 

If you want to use tap water then I would recommend a mineral count. Sounds like a lot of work but its not. Most if not all pool stores test water and tap water for mineral content. They should do it for free just fill up a 20 oz bottle with your tap water and bring it in.

 

Thanks for the help and ideas guys, I think I will get it tested for minerals.