Distilled water

Russell Reay

Russell Reay

Well-known member
I just read a post recommending distilled water in the radiator, and Paul Shinn's video does the same. Why distilled? I don't understand how hard water would affect an engine block or radiator.
 
  1. Rain falls.
  2. The water percolates as groundwater through rocks before it flows into the reservoir.
  3. Calcium (and other salts, but mostly calcium) from the rocks dissolves into the water.
  4. Water from the reservoir passes into the water treatment plant, which removes contamination but not, in most cases, mineral salts.
  5. The tap water is poured into the radiator.
  6. During engine operation, the water is heated, which causes carbon dioxide dissolved in the water to convert to gas and bubble out.
  7. Because of a chemical equilibrium effect, a reduction in the concentration of dissolved CO2 in the water causes calcium carbonate to precipitate out of the water onto the surface of the engine block or radiator as limescale.
  8. The limescale forms an insulating layer between the water and the components of the system, impeding the transfer of heat from the block to the water and from the water to the radiator fins.
  9. This causes your cooling system to work less efficiently.
 
Big hammer said:
Distilled water is hungry for ions, it will eat at your iron block ! Soft or softened water !
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Technically correct but only important if you are using water by itself... which you shouldn't be doing. Antifreeze contains additives, specifically sodium molybdate, that supply the ions to balance distilled water.
 
If your just using your car during warm months. Rust inhibitor and regular water.

Water is a better cooling agent than anti freeze, or anti freeze and water.

60 plus years, no issues. Never overheated.
 
I run distilled water and antifreeze, back in the days of steam on the railroad, hard water was an issue with them too , an uncle that worked on the Erie to Sunbury Division said they would treat the water .
 
It all depends on the quality of the water where you live. Where I live the water if fairly free of dissolved minerals. Even though pure water is better at heat transfer than a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, you can use the mix year around. There is not that much difference in heat transfer to worry about and the mix has additives that help. And you can buy it pre mixed at the auto parts store so you don't have to buy distilled water and mix your own. If you do decide to buy water, just buy regular drinking water in gallon containers. Save the distilled water for your battery.
 
Yep, I'm with nkaminar, 50/50 mix from auto parts store, works great, no overheating, and able to store car in winters no worries..
 
If you have a Reverse Osmosis water system, I would think that would work well. Our electric hot pot for boiling water is spotless after nearly 20 years of every day use. Our water here is VERY full of minerals. Healthy, but not good for equipment.
 
Save your money and do not use distilled water. Your cooling system is already contaminated with iron oxide, minerals from tap water, antifreeze, residual stop leak and grease from the water pump. Moreover, Paul Shinn has a video where he puts a water - antifreeze mix into his Model "A."
 
I run Evans coolant in every vehicle I own. Doesn't foam ,very high boiling point,Does not corrode any thing.Good Stuff.Very expensive but worth it to me.
 
Russell Reay said:
I just read a post recommending distilled water in the radiator, and Paul Shinn's video does the same. Why distilled? I don't understand how hard water would affect an engine block or radiator.
Click to expand...

If I recall, Paul Shinn said he runs a distilled water and antifreeze mixture. Let's go ask him. Oh, wait....
 
I run 500 psi steam pressure in my coal fired steam locomotive. Which has nothing to do with the subject at hand.
 
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