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Coolant - Simple One...
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
What is the procedure for flushing the system?
It's not recommended to use tap water from the garden hose in your coolant-instead use distilled water from the grocery store. But what do you do about flushing the system? Reading the back of a flush bottle today at NAPA, it said empty the radiator, close it back up, pour the bottle in, fill it up with water. Run the engine about 10-20 minutes after reaching operating temp. and run the heater on high for 10 minutes. Shut off and immediately drain the system.
So...probably should use distilled water for the flush?
Seems I read in another thread that tap water actually prevents the SCA's from sticking to the block...therefore making the whole procedure a waste of time. Could be wrong too...had to throw it out there though.
It's not recommended to use tap water from the garden hose in your coolant-instead use distilled water from the grocery store. But what do you do about flushing the system? Reading the back of a flush bottle today at NAPA, it said empty the radiator, close it back up, pour the bottle in, fill it up with water. Run the engine about 10-20 minutes after reaching operating temp. and run the heater on high for 10 minutes. Shut off and immediately drain the system.
So...probably should use distilled water for the flush?
Seems I read in another thread that tap water actually prevents the SCA's from sticking to the block...therefore making the whole procedure a waste of time. Could be wrong too...had to throw it out there though.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I use tap water when I flush the engine, it would cost a fortune to use distilled water.
Once I flush, drain the oil cooler, radiator and block, then refill with coolant and distilled water or pre diluted 50/50 coolant.
Once I flush, drain the oil cooler, radiator and block, then refill with coolant and distilled water or pre diluted 50/50 coolant.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, UK
OK... here's something I didn't count on.
Distilled water is hard to buy here in the UK, not sold at grocery stores or motor factors... De-ionized I can get, but I know it's not the same. I don't fancy trying to make 4 gallons of distilled water myself - take days.
Am thinking de-ionzed is the logical make-do route... any warnings?
Distilled water is hard to buy here in the UK, not sold at grocery stores or motor factors... De-ionized I can get, but I know it's not the same. I don't fancy trying to make 4 gallons of distilled water myself - take days.
Am thinking de-ionzed is the logical make-do route... any warnings?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Western Australia
De-ionized is better. There are three grades over here "distilled", "de-mineralized", "de-ionized. Distilled is self explanatery De-mineralized has soluable minerals removed, De-ionized is electrically neutral, it has no positivley or negativley charged "ion's". This is a touch simplified but you get the drift. De-ionized should be fine. Anyone else have info or opinion.
Edit; I got a bit ahead of myself there. I just checked and de-mieralized and de-ionized are the same. It is the removal of mineral salts which in turn removes the conductivity and ion charge of the water. Result is the same, should be fine.
Edit; I got a bit ahead of myself there. I just checked and de-mieralized and de-ionized are the same. It is the removal of mineral salts which in turn removes the conductivity and ion charge of the water. Result is the same, should be fine.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
De-ionized is going to be a better bet. If it is true 0 TDS de-ionized it will be pefect.I use that at my shop and works great. I have a huge RO system running to a de-ionizing filter setup for washing vehicles and coolant changes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,389
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From: Massachusetts
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Western Australia
I get it at my local industrial supply warehouse. It is used in labs and industrial battery banks and the like. If you have kids in highschool ask their science teacher as they probably use it and may be able to point you towards a supplier. If not rty an industrial fluid supply company. Good luck.
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