What kind of water in my Aston?

[897sma]

Following on in a similar vein from the “which oil” threads it made me wonder if perhaps we should examine manufacturers guidelines in more depth.

Reading my handbook it recommends that I top up my screen wash/coolant, etc diluted with distilled water. What it doesn’t make clear is what temperature the water should be distilled at. Obviously if I distil the water at sea level it will boil at a higher temperature than if I boil it at home which is 2-300 feet above sea level. Also, does it matter what temperature the water condenses at?, as this can vary greatly depending on ambient temp and temp differential. Steam from my shower (at 50 deg) condenses on my bathroom window at 20 degrees for example. (going o/t a bit but could I collect this and use it?)

Does it matter what type of water I start with, is good fresh Northern water which has bubbled through the earth for millennia before bursting forth in a fresh mountain spring better than the many times recycled sewage which Londoners have to drink?

Also is plain old H2O ok or would I be better with one of the other isotopes of water, obviously you don’t want to use 2H2O which being heavy water would upset the perfect 50/50 balance on my DB9. As you can see from the table below these isotopes all have different densities and viscosities at different temperature and pressure which could put undue strain on the water pump.



I’ve seen a product for sale called dehydrated water, http://www.buydehydratedwater.com/ has anyone used it?

I know I could buy ready mixed screen wash or coolant but how can you trust the manufactures or their employees?. For all we know they could be using rainwater* they’ve collected in a water butt off the drainpipe or even tap water!!! I daren’t risk it.

Obviously I don’t know what been used before as my car was serviced at a garage and god knows what they use, probably just piss in the header tank and then wipe round with an oily rag, do you think I could tell what they’ve used by listening to the flow around the engine – perhaps with a stethoscope?

Perhaps we could discuss this at length for a few pages or perhaps it doesn’t matter at all and I could go with what the manufacturer recommends and leave it to the trained mechanics to worry about on my next service?.

• I know rain water has been distilled from the Ocean but I don’t think this counts.

[AMDBSNick]

[Jockman]

Try some Red Bull, Steve - gives you wings.

Or perhaps some holy water blessed by the new ;corned beef' Pontiff ??

[Lunablack]

897...... You're over thinking it....... Use wet water and be happy

Maybe BR.... Do a special screen wash water..made from the tears of angels Worth about 6bhp

[Tony V12V]

Steve mate

Very good points raised - certainly a topic that I'm sure will run (get it...running water )however I think you need to allow for the fact that many garages actually use clean rags.

I don't know how far this will progress on here...The D&D is calling you!!!!! I expect..no..demand that you attend the next meeting as I'm sure Nick will include this topic on the agenda


PS Just remembered you are on the Wales run post Geneva..so I will expect this to be discussed further along with the long awaited explaination about Louisa, the World Cup and a couple of 'other' things

[Neil1300R]

You've missed the obvious - its not the viscosity of the water that should be your big worry, its the additives. What screen washer additive do you use? I've used Halfords stuff in the past but worried its too cheap and not Aston enough? Can I use fairy liquid as a stop gap?

[Tony V12V]

Neil1300R said:

You've missed the obvious - its not the viscosity of the water that should be your big worry, its the additives. What screen washer additive do you use? I've used Halfords stuff in the past but worried its too cheap and not Aston enough? Can I use fairy liquid as a stop gap?

I don't think Fairy liquid will be a very good gap filler

[Jockman]

Surely it's all down to the water hardness

I mean, there's some water out there that you just wouldn't want to bump into in a dark lane, on your own, at night

[897sma]

Tony V12V said:

Steve mate

PS Just remembered you are on the Wales run post Geneva..so I will expect this to be discussed further along with the long awaited explaination about Louisa, the World Cup and a couple of 'other' things

I've no idea what you're talking about

Neil1300R said:

You've missed the obvious - its not the viscosity of the water that should be your big worry, its the additives. What screen washer additive do you use? I've used Halfords stuff in the past but worried its too cheap and not Aston enough? Can I use fairy liquid as a stop gap?

What if I dilute the screen wash with more screen wash, does this double the strength and get my screen and lights twice as clean or do I only have to squirt half as much?

I've found fairy liquid can be a bit harsh and strips the wax off the freshly Polished paintwork, Persil seems to be much kinder.

[marceltay]

Neil1300R said:

You've missed the obvious - its not the viscosity of the water that should be your big worry, its the additives. What screen washer additive do you use? I've used Halfords stuff in the past but worried its too cheap and not Aston enough? Can I use fairy liquid as a stop gap?

How about the left over beers?

[Retman]

marceltay said:

How about the left over beers?

Left over beer didn't know such a thing existed.

[897sma]

Jockman said:

Surely it's all down to the water hardness

I mean, there's some water out there that you just wouldn't want to bump into in a dark lane, on your own, at night

Naturally I'd only only use Northern water which everyone knows is harder than that soft shouthern ste

[Jon39]

Excellent topic Steve, very funny.

I note that you are in Derbyshire, so would Buxton Water be better for the screen wash, coolant, or the cupholder?

Edited by Jon39 on Friday 22 March 13:46

[mikey k]

The pressure at which you condense it will make a difference
You might like to try some ²H2O or even some H2O2 for a more effective clean

[Neil1300R]

Retman said:

marceltay said:

How about the left over beers?

Left over beer didn't know such a thing existed.

Scurrilous rumour!
Wish I had left some, wouldn't have felt ill yesterday.

[mikey k]

897sma said:

I've found fairy liquid can be a bit harsh and strips the wax off the freshly Polished paintwork, Persil seems to be much kinder.

I'm hoping that is a joke
Persil has enzymes in it that will dissolve aluminium long after it's removed the wax!

[Retman]

This is what you need Steve, about $40 a bottle direct from Hollywood:



Alternatively if we want to support the home market there's always Peckham Spring:

[peterr96]

As we have a blue car, I always insist on distilled sea water sourced from desalinated Maldives sea water. That way the colour match is assured.
Steve I can't believe we have never discussed this topic before.

I'm now also questioning what sort of gasses I should inflate the tyres with. If I go for Helium, would that decrease the unsprung weight thereby improving handling?

So many questions

[Retman]

mikey k said:

897sma said:

I've found fairy liquid can be a bit harsh and strips the wax off the freshly Polished paintwork, Persil seems to be much kinder.

I'm hoping that is a joke
Persil has enzymes in it that will dissolve aluminium long after it's removed the wax!

Suppose you're going to say carbolic's no good either. Some people are just soo picky

[v8woollie]

You guys