elford

goin to replace the radiator in the ef (work car), huge hole in the front.
i read on this site that u 'should'nt use tap water', suspect mineral buildup?
if yes what to use i.e.
-distilled water??
-premixed coolant??
i usually use nulon longlife coolant with water at 33% no probs so far but if there is somethin better why not try it.

WELDERJEFFO

Use distilled water........costs less than $1 for a gallon at the grocery market.

__________________
Don't own a Ford, but I've worked on quite a few.

deankdx

the radiator bloke that i use said you may as well use tap water cos the block itself is iron and full of rust particles and stuff anyway but still use a good anti corosion coolant concentrate, but i'm sure many will disagree

WELDERJEFFO

I started using distilled water in all my vehicles after I read about it in the Volvo-Penta service manual for my boat, (basically the same engine as a Volvo 240 car) but uses a heat exchanger cooled with sea water, instead of a radiator cooled with air.
They say 'tap water sometimes contains minerals that are extremely abrasive to internal pump parts. Certain minerals are known to activate corrosive effects on various ferrous and/or non-ferrous metal components of the cooling system.'
I guess it depends on where your tap water comes from, and what's in it, so I figure, why take a chance?
Besides, distilled water is cheap, and it's also handy to keep some around to top off any batteries that are low.

__________________
Don't own a Ford, but I've worked on quite a few.

elford

thanks for the reply

fordboy98

Given the often significant dramas and expense of cylinder head repairs associated with using dodgy water, you only have one real option. You must give your engine cooling system the best treatment you can afford - the best quality water available and a reputable coolant. Demineralised water is good. Because of the different chemical compositions of the various coolants, you must flush, flush and flush your system (including heater) to rid it of as much of the old brew as you can if you are changing brands. Otherwise you may get a chemical reaction that can produce scale or other gunk and which may block your radiator over time.

deankdx

yeah thats thae best point so far, depends where you are for tap water, some places i cant even drink the stuff as it has a SMELL to it, no twhere i am though.
and i've been using tap water in batteries fr over 10 years and they always last for more than 18months., they get regualar charging in the car but as i do 100km most days

KILLERME

any water will do,. not too much long life coolant,,30-50% only

INJECTED250

Tap water is fine depending where u r from, As the radiator guy said, the block is full of rust scale, and heavy metals, u may gain some advantage from using distilled water, its certainly not going to cause any damage, but i wouldnt go loosing any sleep if u used tap water. A good decent coolant is more important, Pre mixed blends from k-mart and places are pretty bad. Wyns kwik kool, or castrol are good quality coolants, which will help. Also make sure all youre cars earths to the engine and battery are in good condition, as stray currents can cause extreem corriosion.

__________________
EB FALCON
98 T5 gear box (was auto)
Wade 977b cam
3.7 lsd
AU bottem end
ELXR6 ported Head
PH4480 Pacemakers