Can you use "sterile" water to top up coolant??

[dave_s13]

Probably a stupid question this but her goes anyway.

I'm changing the 'stats on my BMW E61 and this apparantly looses about 3litres or so of coolant which will obviously need to be topped up. I have the OEM BMW coolant and I'm aware you shouldn't use tap water to mix it up but wondered if you can use sterile water rather than distilled.

I only ask as I have 3 litres of this stuff knocking about that's gone out of date so can't be used in our medical devices that use it.

http://www.mistrymedical.com/item/9203/baxter-ster...

[kambites]

Depends on how they sterilise it, I suppose. I suspect it'll be no better than tap water, though.

If you have a tumble drier or dehumidifier use the water condensed out of that.

[98elise]

Sterile and distilled are two different things. Why does a BMW need distilled?

[kambites]

98elise said:

Sterile and distilled are two different things. Why does a BMW need distilled?

All the cars I've owned have recommended distilled water. Something to do with the impurities in tap water promoting rust, I assume?

[LuS1fer]

Most cars require distilled as they have all the minerals likelimescale that clog up your system removed. Sterile water only has bacteria and fungi etc removed so is probably no better than tap water.

[redstu]

I wouldn't use it in a battery but the cooling system would be fine for me.
I have never used anything other than tap water. It's never caused any problems over the years. However the water in Newcastle doesn't cause linescale problems. If I lived in a hard water area then I'd be using distiller.

[Powerrr]

Not that i would recommend it in your new BMW but im pretty sure you could piss in the coolant if you needed to and it would still be fine.

[J4CKO]

Why not throw a multivitamin in as well

[Prof Prolapse]

LuS1fer said:

Most cars require distilled as they have all the minerals likelimescale that clog up your system removed. Sterile water only has bacteria and fungi etc removed so is probably no better than tap water.

Agree with that. Even boiling the water is pointless as the engine temperature will kill off anything anyway.

If you live in a hardwater area use distilled. I use tap water personally.

Don't forget to check you've the right level of anti-freeze using one of those testers afterwards though.

[Krikkit]

I always use the Carplan distilled stuff... It's cheap (£1.20 for 2L in ASDA last night) and you get a useful tub to put stuff in afterwards (screenwash mixed, antifreeze mixed, old oil etc etc).

[blueg33]

Buy a Brita waterfilter and then sell special "coolant system friendly water" to gullible pher's

Over 30 years of car ownership I have always used tap water and never had a problem of any kind caused by the effects of using it in cooling systems

[EvoSlayer]

When I changed all 3 rads on 911 I completely drained and refilled system with coolant/distilled water, Porsche radiators need as much help as they can get...they corrode quick enough from the outside.

[otolith]

I strongly suspect that unless otherwise stated sterile water for medical use will be sterile distilled water - it is not going to be sterilised tapwater with dissolved mineral content.

[Prof Prolapse]

Slightly off topic... Somebody please rate the lunacy on this...

http://www.frequencyrising.com/water_Kangen.htm

[john2443]

Urine is sterile isn't it

[Agrispeed]

Prof Prolapse said:

Slightly off topic... Somebody please rate the lunacy on this...

http://www.frequencyrising.com/water_Kangen.htm

well, It does cure:


- arthritis
- chronic fatigue
- leg cramps
- migraines
- diabetes
- heartburn
- poor circulation
- gout
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- hypertension
- asthma
- skin rashes
- dermatitis
- psoriasis
- obesity
- weight issues
- diarrhea
- indigestion
- heart disease
- allergies
- constipation
- stomach ulcers
- hepatitis
- cancer
- and many more

just dont ask for scientific proof

[Prof Prolapse]

Agrispeed said:

just dont ask for scientific proof

To be fair it does say:

Disclaimer: These statements about Kangen, Kangen water, water filtration techniques, etc... have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained here about water filters is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Suggestions and ideas presented in this document should not be interpreted as medical advice, meant for diagnosing illness, or for prescriptive purposes. Readers are encouraged to consult their health care provider before beginning any "alternative" protocol. The information in this document is not to be used to replace the services or instructions of a physician or qualified health care practitioner. Kangen water.

[ant leigh]

Prof Prolapse said:

To be fair it does say:

Disclaimer: These statements about Kangen, Kangen water, water filtration techniques, etc... have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained here about water filters is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Suggestions and ideas presented in this document should not be interpreted as medical advice, meant for diagnosing illness, or for prescriptive purposes. Readers are encouraged to consult their health care provider before beginning any "alternative" protocol. The information in this document is not to be used to replace the services or instructions of a physician or qualified health care practitioner. Kangen water.

It does rely on 'micro water clusters'
Most 'new age' water products seem to rely on this concept somewhere. It's a useful claim because it sounds very scientific, plausible, created by 'secret processes' and is almost impossible to disprove.