Topping up coolant with distilled water

n00b_monkey · 6 Feb 2022 at 15:58

Hi!

Says it all in the title.

I ran out of thermaltake clear 1000.. Probs need another 200ml in the res.

Could i top up with distilled, or just order some more coolant.

My loop has mixed metals.. Aluminum rad, copper block

Cheers!

Sidewinder11 · 6 Feb 2022 at 16:58

I don't think any coolant can prevent galvanic corrosion, so you should probably focus on changing the radiator. Hope I'm wrong though.

Mcnumpty2323 · 6 Feb 2022 at 17:53

Coolant has corrosion inhibitors in it
Though probably still not great to mix metals in the loop
I have topped up with
Distilled,deionised even water from my condenser tumble dryer
Over the years
Hasn't caused any issues even if the last ones unconventional

LePhuronn · 7 Feb 2022 at 13:24

If the Thermaltake coolant has corrosion inhibitors in it already then just buy some more and save the bigger expense later on of replacing knackered components because you diluted the protection.

If the coolant doesn't have corrosion inhibitors as standard (and it's Thermaltake, so I'd fully expect them to cut corners) then you're a bit borked; bin off the Thermaltake and get some Mayhems Inhibitor and Hades and add to as much distilled water as you require.

Disco_P · 9 Feb 2022 at 17:07

I'd replace the ali rad and replace with a copper one. Putting aluminium in a conventional metals (copper, brass, nickel) loop will never stop being a problem.

Gtiracer · 10 Feb 2022 at 10:07

Not that I'd know for sure but arent you asking for trouble with mixing metals even with corrosion inhibitors?

There is a strong chance these inhibitors will break down over time and could cause yourself a lot of problems potentially.

In an ideal world I would change out the alu rad if possible

V F · 10 Feb 2022 at 15:16

Gtiracer said:
Not that I'd know for sure but arent you asking for trouble with mixing metals even with corrosion inhibitors?

There is a strong chance these inhibitors will break down over time and could cause yourself a lot of problems potentially.

In an ideal world I would change out the alu rad if possible

Seen all the reports of people with the Gigabyte Waterforce cards? Not the Gigabyte Aorus Waterforce cards, they're fine as they have copper plates.

So many nasty outcomes. https://www.reddit.com/r/watercooling/comments/si4pbd/galvanic_corrosion/

LePhuronn · 10 Feb 2022 at 15:38

The Waterforce block issue is really more the failure of rubbish Nickel plating, the fact the block is Aluminium is just kicking you when you're down. If the Nickel hadn't failed, the Aluminium wouldn't have been exposed to fluid. But given Aluminium is very tricky to plate with Nickel, it's just a powder keg waiting to go off.