Engine coolant water options...
Discussion
Haltamer said:
Deionized is my favourite - Usually sold for battery topups or use in Irons, so you can get it in Tesco easily 
Distilled is also good.
Avoid tap water or bottled water unless emergency; Mineral content in the engine is best avoided.
I can't seem it find any distilled water unless buying online, deionized water seems to be available from supermarkets... Distilled is also good.
Avoid tap water or bottled water unless emergency; Mineral content in the engine is best avoided.
MustangGT said:
I would not be using any sort of water, you will be diluting the antifreeze. Ask a BMW specialist what type of coolant they use and buy some of the same.
It's the genuine BMW coolant, it's recommended to add water to the coolant at 50%-50% coolant to water. It's just the type of water that's in question MustangGT said:
I would not be using any sort of water, you will be diluting the antifreeze. Ask a BMW specialist what type of coolant they use and buy some of the same.
Ou are away if you don't mix it with 50% water your are reducing how effective the coolant is?The coolant on virtual all cars on the road is a 50% mix of water and coolant/antifreeze
I've always used deionised, it's cheap and right there next to the coolant in most places that sell coolant however... Is the fear about tap water justified? Yes it contains minerals however it's in a closed loop system so can only deposit what's in the water you used when you changed the coolant - it's not like a kettle that you refill frequently. We're talking 190mg/l in England and 30mg/l in Scotland. On top of that the coolant reduces scale formation.
So I wonder how many coolant changes before that level of mineralisation becomes an issue? Not trying it with my engine, mind
So I wonder how many coolant changes before that level of mineralisation becomes an issue? Not trying it with my engine, mind
Coolant is (generally) 50/50 water & antifreeze (with added additives) but antifreeze needs diluting to answer a few incorrect posts above.
De-ionised is fine & is basically the same as distilled but the process it goes through to become mineral free is different.
Personally, I have always used either for full coolant changes but for top ups, which is virtually nothing over a year I have no issue with using tap or cooled boiled water from the kettle.
De-ionised is fine & is basically the same as distilled but the process it goes through to become mineral free is different.
Personally, I have always used either for full coolant changes but for top ups, which is virtually nothing over a year I have no issue with using tap or cooled boiled water from the kettle.
Gary C said:
E-bmw said:
.. using tap or cooled boiled water from the kettle.
Whats the reason for using boiled water ?ETA. I suppose thinking about it more, if nothing else it will remove/kill any bacteria etc.
Might make no difference, but that is my thought process.
Edited by E-bmw on Wednesday 6th March 11:31
The difference between de-ionised and distilled water lies mainly in the method of preparation.
Distilled is boiled water vapour, condensed by cooling. As long as it is not contaminated in the collection process it is PURE water.
Deionised is made by passing it over ion exchange resin, to remove minerals. But ion 'exchange' does not produce water that contains nothing else.
The process of deionising water is cheaper than distilling it.
John
Distilled is boiled water vapour, condensed by cooling. As long as it is not contaminated in the collection process it is PURE water.
Deionised is made by passing it over ion exchange resin, to remove minerals. But ion 'exchange' does not produce water that contains nothing else.
The process of deionising water is cheaper than distilling it.
John
tapkaJohnD said:
The difference between de-ionised and distilled water lies mainly in the method of preparation.
Distilled is boiled water vapour, condensed by cooling. As long as it is not contaminated in the collection process it is PURE-ish water.
Deionised is made by passing it over ion exchange resin, to remove minerals. But ion 'exchange' does not produce water that contains nothing else.
The process of deionising water is cheaper than distilling it.
John
EFA Distilled is boiled water vapour, condensed by cooling. As long as it is not contaminated in the collection process it is PURE-ish water.
Deionised is made by passing it over ion exchange resin, to remove minerals. But ion 'exchange' does not produce water that contains nothing else.
The process of deionising water is cheaper than distilling it.
John
It's quite pure, but it's not 100% pure. 99.99% is clearly good enough for all practical uses in cars and homes, mind.
One of my Chemistry friends started to tell me about a process he uses to make ultra pure water, IIRC it involves reactions to make hydrogen and oxygen and then combustion/condense. But that's only suitable for tiny quantities and rather expensive in time and materials.
donkmeister said:
trickywoo said:
Just to throw a cat amongst the pigeons de-ionised water will want to re-ionise and distilled water is acidic.
Just saying.
Isn't all water, distilled or otherwise, amphoteric and hence acidic?Just saying.
donkmeister said:
Isn't all water, distilled or otherwise, amphoteric and hence acidic?
No. Distilled is more acidic than tap. It bonds with atmospheric co2 at the first opportunity.It’s nothing the coolant package can’t cope with but I’ll always go for premix given a choice.
Edited by trickywoo on Wednesday 6th March 16:24
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