> If I remember my chemistry, distilled water will pick up ions from
> the iron block and copper radiator and heater cores, and could
> eventually cause leaks.
> Maynard Hirsch
That seems to be largely a myth. I particularly support using distilled
water, because in our very old cars, they already have large lime deposits
in the cooling system. By contributing more lime (and a host of other
substances), through using regular tap water, you are promoting cooling
system failure at some point.
A little web digging found an interesting Word Document authored by
Caterpillar's Marine Division in regards to maintaining your cooling system.
Since CAT motors are still metal (and for the most part usually cast iron),
and their motors still have radiators, it is entirely relevant to this
discussion.
http://www.caterpillar.com/industry_solutions/shared/marine/commercial_vesse
ls/product_support/docs/COOLING.DOC
Here is another well authored article on the myth of distilled water in
cooling systems:
http://cbody.homeip.net/cooling.htm
Further checking with the manufactures of various antifreezes found that
some formulate their product for tap water and others recommend distilled
water. Peak Antifreeze Co. recommends distilled water, they make your
common "cheap" supermarket antifreeze. Redline (makers of WaterWetter)
recommends distilled water to reduce mineral deposits also (which is my main
reason for using distilled water).
Remember, that coolant does lose its effectiveness as it ages, and this
includes its anticorrosive properties. So change and flush your coolant
system every 2 years and be happy. I don't like removing core plugs from
engines on the stand, to find a wall of concentrated lime built up! Nor do
I like knowing that cylinder walls that are integral with the water jacket
are becoming thinner due to corrosion.
I've emailed a Chem friend of mine who also owns LBCs, I'll pass the final
word along.
Kai
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