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Coolant system, anyone using straight distilled water?
Car has 160k miles. I don’t know if the coolant has been replaced before but it didn’t look too bad but wasn’t perfect, but it wasn't as orange looking as brand new dexcool is. Maybe a real dark orange.m
Anyhow, so I flushed the system 3 times with distilled water to get as much old dexcool out as possible.
Its not perfectly clear but I can see the radiator rows when I look into the radiator with the cap off.
I also flushed the reservoir a few times and it was muddy looking but is clear now.
So so my question is, anything wrong with running just straight distilled water as is?
My temps are lower on the gauge in this higher 90* heat it seems vs before with dexcool and water is good at dissipating heat.
I live in s Texas so our winters, we may be lucky to get into the mid 30s as we barely get cold here.
So im not worried about freezing conditions one bit.
Im more worried about any internal damage running distilled water for long periods.
Or if anything I’ll put one gallon of dexcool if needed.
Anyine have any info on running straight distilled water ?
I'd also run some antirust in it as well if you are going to go mostly water. But I would still run a 50-50 blend of antifreeze because I've seen what frozen water can do to an engine block . . . . not pretty. I know that south Texas does not get that cold but . . .
I live in s Texas so our winters, we may be lucky to get into the mid 30s as we barely get cold here.
So im not worried about freezing conditions one bit.
It only takes one foray below 32 degrees to destroy stuff.
Originally Posted by LS1 pwrd NOVA
Anyhow, so I flushed the system 3 times with distilled water to get as much old dexcool out as possible.
Its not perfectly clear but I can see the radiator rows when I look into the radiator with the cap off.
I also flushed the reservoir a few times and it was muddy looking but is clear now.
When you drain the radiator, 1/2 of the coolant is left in the engine galleries. So, after three flushes and drains, assuming everything mixes perfectly, and you started with 50/50, you'd have 6%-ish Dexcool in there now.
The only way to get all the old stuff out is to do a full drain of the system, open up the two block plugs, and drain the heater core. This makes a mess... and isn't fun... but it works.
Do you really need a 50/50 mix of dexcool? Or is that 50/50 mix more for colder climates?
If I do one gallon of dexcool with my current flush, what kind of prevention will one gallon give me?
I don’t mind going back with dexcool as I haven’t had a problem with it on this car.
Do you really need a 50/50 mix of dexcool? Or is that 50/50 mix more for colder climates?
If I do one gallon of dexcool with my current flush, what kind of prevention will one gallon give me?
I don’t mind going back with dexcool as I haven’t had a problem with it on this car.
why are you so worried about running coolant? you still need a good amount of antifreeze mixed with the water to not only prevent it from freezing, but to raise the boil temp as well.........if you do a google search you can see what ranges 30/70 25/75 etc mix will protect
Yes, it draws the system into a vacuum. I’ve used the snap on version for years... sometimes I’ll fill and keep a vacuum in order to be certain it’s new coolant.
FYI anti-freeze does not raise boiling temp, only lowers freezing point. If antifreeze did that, we’d run 100% anti-freeze with no water. Water is the best for cooling. Antifreeze is a lube and freezing point lowering additive.
Pressure raises boiling temp of water/coolant...
edit:
Just to note:
ethylene glyco (alcohol content) can raise boiling point depending on % of content in antifreeze - 100% antifreeze won’t perform as well without distilled water...
Exactly what I’ve been told, water is best at dissapating heat in warmer climates.
My 87 grand national ran distilled for years and never ever had a boil over or heating issue.
It did have a very light color of green in it from existing fluid but was flushed for straight distilled.
I thought the caps psi kinda limits the boiling range etc.... I need to read the article u posted hammdo.
Freezing temps don’t happen here. With my luck this year we’ll have a week of below 32* weather now.
For $10-15 buy a gallon of concentrated Dex Cool, pour in half, done son. Or buy 50/50 mix and pour the whole thing in....either way you won't need to worry about freezing temps or lubrication issues. Where I live FL got down to 23*F last January, so below freezing can happen lol.
Exactly what I’ve been told, water is best at dissapating heat in warmer climates.
My 87 grand national ran distilled for years and never ever had a boil over or heating issue.
It did have a very light color of green in it from existing fluid but was flushed for straight distilled.
I thought the caps psi kinda limits the boiling range etc.... I need to read the article u posted hammdo.
Freezing temps don’t happen here. With my luck this year we’ll have a week of below 32* weather now.
LOL, I said that last year and we were near 9° once -- thus why I say I heat the garage if I see temps near 35° -- cold front came in and bam -- there it was.
BTW in the past, I set my 'freezing' point to the lowest temp on record for the area -- here in DFW it was 8° ;o)
I'll just heat the garage for the week its cold. For road racing, distilled has been king -- it cools so much faster and dissipates heat fast when the hood is open. Coolant temps sink really fast.
Water Wetter can leave a film if left in too long -- thus why I change out yearly -- its real easy with the vaccum unit...
Yes, it draws the system into a vacuum. I’ve used the snap on version for years... sometimes I’ll fill and keep a vacuum in order to be certain it’s new coolant.
FYI anti-freeze does not raise boiling temp, only lowers freezing point. If antifreeze did that, we’d run 100% anti-freeze with no water. Water is the best for cooling. Antifreeze is a lube and freezing point lowering additive.
Pressure raises boiling temp of water/coolant...
edit:
Just to note:
ethylene glyco (alcohol content) can raise boiling point depending on % of content in antifreeze - 100% antifreeze won’t perform as well without distilled water...
Antifreeze is more about the vaporization point — thus it raises the boiling point some — how much is really the question. That is the catch 22 and why it’s claimed to raise the boiling point...
Pressure is about 3° per PSI... that really helps...
20 PSI is 60° so using that math, water is raised supposedly to 272° but it’s probably more around 265° with some inefficiency ...
This would not be compatible with the stock cooling system as it cannot hold a vacuum without being damaged. (I recall the stock radiator cap has a vacuum relief in it specifically to protect against this.)
09-02-2018, 10:36 AM
Coolant system, anyone using straight distilled water? 
