Engine coolant water options...

[Gary C]

E-bmw said:

Gary C said:

E-bmw said:

.. using tap or cooled boiled water from the kettle.

Whats the reason for using boiled water ?

Not sure how much of a difference it makes, but my theory would be as the kettle gets a coating of scale from boiling the water, this must remove some of it from the 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

Fair enough

[Hereward]

What about rainwater?

[Buzz84]

E-bmw said:

Gary C said:

E-bmw said:

.. using tap or cooled boiled water from the kettle.

Whats the reason for using boiled water ?

Not sure how much of a difference it makes, but my theory would be as the kettle gets a coating of scale from boiling the water, this must remove some of it from the 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

It's actually more likely to be the other way. The hardness of the water will be increased in a kettle.

When the water boils steam is generated, this steam is pure H2O escaping and will be leaving minerals behind. The scale will be a result of the increased mineral level in the remaining water forming deposits on the surface.

Realistically the differences are going to be miniscule though, it's not like the scale builds up over one boil, it normally takes a while.

[GreenV8S]

Boiling water will mainly reduce the dissolved gasses, but I don't think the cooling system will care about that.

[E-bmw]

Valid points taken, although I am not talking a regular occurrence on any car, maybe 2/3 times in over 25 years.

[markymarkthree]

Does anyone have any thoughts on using the water from a de-humidifier ?
Are there any pros or cons ?

[MustangGT]

Lannister902 said:

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

Thanks, we learn something new every day.

[donkmeister]

Hereward said:

What about rainwater?

Rain is distilled water, albeit that's been redirtied on the way down. It's basically the same thing as that "Smart water" people pay an arm and a leg for (distilled water which, because drinking distilled water tastes horrible and is bad for your teeth, has been remineralised. Aka "dumb water")

[Gary C]

I can get ultrapure water from work

It is so pure you could use it to insulate 400kV lines if you wanted to.

But I have always used tap water and never had an issue.

[Bainbridge]

markymarkthree said:

Does anyone have any thoughts on using the water from a de-humidifier ?
Are there any pros or cons ?

If the dehumidifier is used to dry clothes, your cooling system will be fragrant!

We use one to dry clothes and I just tip the water down the sink, but it must be very pure having condensed in there.

[Pica-Pica]

markymarkthree said:

Does anyone have any thoughts on using the water from a de-humidifier ?
Are there any pros or cons ?

I use that for screen wash, read here …
http://www.dehumidifier-reviews.co.uk/using-water-...