Coolant, difference between brands?
- Thread starter mrk
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![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
Given that everyone, even those laughing at me for daring to beleive a manufacturer, at least agrees that distilled water is a situation for 'an ideal world' why not just do it given its so ridiculously cheap?
It's even FREE for many of you!
Well the level was the same this morning so picked up some coolant on the way to work will top up during late lunch.
I have a spare bottle of spring water, I guess this is just as good to use as distilled /deionised water plus I don’t really take a measuring jug with me to work so the bottle serves a dual purpose
I have a spare bottle of spring water, I guess this is just as good to use as distilled /deionised water plus I don’t really take a measuring jug with me to work so the bottle serves a dual purpose
Soldato
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I don't use anything other than distilled (or 'battery' water if you're buying it from Halfords/Motorists centre etc) in coolant systems.
Spring water will still have metallic elements and so on in it, stuff you wouldn't really want in your coolant
Still. It'll do, for the meantime!
Spring water will still have metallic elements and so on in it, stuff you wouldn't really want in your coolant
Still. It'll do, for the meantime!
But its not short term, thats the point. Beyond needing a top up there is probably nothing wrong, so whatever he tops up with will remain in there until the next scheduled change. All this talk of changing the lot, what on earth for? Its a 53 plate e46, its last change was Sep 07 and its not due another until Sep 2011!
If there's no leaks then you may as well top up with coolant, it's something you may need at some point anyway (if you don't already have it).
If there's a leak then I'll just use tap water as I know it'll probably all get changed when the leak is fixed.
Last time I had mine serviced, it was leaking from the bung in the radiator so had it changed (the bung, and the coolant). Other than that, I don't recall ever changing the coolant.
If there's a leak then I'll just use tap water as I know it'll probably all get changed when the leak is fixed.
Last time I had mine serviced, it was leaking from the bung in the radiator so had it changed (the bung, and the coolant). Other than that, I don't recall ever changing the coolant.
I am with fox on this one. You do not need to use tap water, get the proper stuff and see how it goes. If you live in an area with good water then great, if you live in a chalky area you will need to at least filter the water first, or you risk putting a lot of deposit in the system.
Soldato
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[TW]Fox;12481351 said:
Unless there's a persistant leak, in which case it'll get changed out - and if there isn't, the fractional quantity of non-deionised coolant added to the header tank will make, if anything, nil difference to the overall mix.
If he was flushing the whole thing and and refilling it with tap, sure.....
I'd still be using deionised regardless but hey, that's just me. Did a headgasket on a Clio though and ran that on just tap and antifreeze, no ill effects a year later
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I think fox is right on this one that you shouldn't use tap water in your cooling system because of the impurities, but in reality are you going to notice the difference? Probably not. For peace of mind just top it up with coolant mix though.
Do I use tap water? Yes Never had any problems yet..
OP: It may not be a leak you should be looking for if your coolant is disapearing. This could possibly indicate a problem with your engine such as the head gasket leaking, sipping away at your coolant. I would top your coolant up and keep a close eye on it, if its dropping you have a problem as fox sugested. I would then get a compression test done at a local garage it will only cost a few quid and that should indicate if you are loosing compression in any cylinder due to your head gasket or a warped head. Catch the problem before if gets worse.
You could be just lucky that it may need to be topped up as it may never have been done.
Do I use tap water? Yes
Never had any problems yet.. OP: It may not be a leak you should be looking for if your coolant is disapearing. This could possibly indicate a problem with your engine such as the head gasket leaking, sipping away at your coolant. I would top your coolant up and keep a close eye on it, if its dropping you have a problem as fox sugested. I would then get a compression test done at a local garage it will only cost a few quid and that should indicate if you are loosing compression in any cylinder due to your head gasket or a warped head. Catch the problem before if gets worse.
You could be just lucky that it may need to be topped up as it may never have been done.
I've checked for leaks and there is no signs of any leak anywhere. All other fluids are normal too. I will however go to a local garage for a compression test just to be on the safe side but I'm pretty confident that it's just /low coolant/ to begin with though but will find out for sure soon enough!
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[TW]Fox;12475817 said:
Hahah. No one uses distilled water for engine coolant !!
I think you are getting confused with old car batteries.
Mix normal water with a decent inhibitor/treatment etc and you are fine.
Next people are going to be saying the stick Perrier in their cars.
LOL
Ok ,
Reading around various places I have learned that if the previous coolant top up or change done by the last owner had a non standard mixture of water/coolant (more water or bad quality water! than the recommended amount for example) then the water could have evaporated to some extent over time during heavy driving sessions resulting in water loss.
I doubt it’s any leak or gasket/valve fault because the engine light on BMW is quite outgoing even if the fuel mixture is a bit off it will light up and run the engine more lean.
Since I have no signs of a leak anywhere I am quite happy by the above so I will top up the coolant using the correct mixture and using de-ionised water and then just monitor the level over a month or so.
Reading around various places I have learned that if the previous coolant top up or change done by the last owner had a non standard mixture of water/coolant (more water or bad quality water! than the recommended amount for example) then the water could have evaporated to some extent over time during heavy driving sessions resulting in water loss.
I doubt it’s any leak or gasket/valve fault because the engine light on BMW is quite outgoing even if the fuel mixture is a bit off it will light up and run the engine more lean.
Since I have no signs of a leak anywhere I am quite happy by the above so I will top up the coolant using the correct mixture and using de-ionised water and then just monitor the level over a month or so.
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[TW]Fox;12481961 said:Ok then
Wellllllll... I don't know any mechanics OR garages that do.
I think with an additive you are pefectly safe. I would never ever just put plain water with no additive.
There is a little dilution leeway when you top up with just water.
We just use normal tap water when we mix antifreeze for the coolant for the generators at work, but seeing the amount of gunk and rubbish that ends up in the header tank I can certainly understand why people would want to use pre-mixed coolant/distilled water in their cars.