Water type ??

[toyroom]

I never really got this sorted when the topic came up a couple of months ago. I am about to fit a new heater matrix and change the coolant. I intend to use Castrol antifreeze as specified in the workshop manual but what kind of water to use ?? I have always used anionic (distilled) water in the past as this should cause no chalky deposits in the system due to salt and carbonates etc. in tap water and can be bought for next to nothing at any chemist. However, I have heard that this may not be the best idea, so what is, Evian ?, send to Norfolk for two gallons of Norwich tap water ??!! Any comments ? Thanks

[Dr.Hess]

Distilled or Purified by Reverse Osmosis, which are equivalent in purity. I have even used Sam's Choice Purified Drinking Water, which is pure water with such a small amount of trace minerals (a couple PPM) that it is basically the same as distilled. But that's only because I happened to have it handy at the time and I know the manufacturer. Not all Sam's Choice is the same. Otherwise I buy a galon of water at the grocery store for about U$0.75.

Dr.Hess

[feffman]

Toy:

Don't use tap water as it has a variety of things your cooling system won't like. Distilled water is what I use.

If you are changinf the radiator, consider upgrading the radiator with added cooling rows. I went from the stock 2-row radiator, havin git rebuilt as a 4-row and the difference in cooloing is dramatic.

Mark Pfeffer
1999 Esprit V8

[Paula&Marcus]

Hi All,
There are so many different opinions about this water choice dilemma ... I personally use the Castrol Antifreeze Readymix (is already mixed with water) so this way I donot have to decide on my own what kind of water I should use ;o)))

Here is a pic:



Cheers
Marcus
www.PUKesprit.de

[toyroom]

Thanks ! One of the main reasons I started this thread was that, some time ago, somebody posted a comment that de-ionised water would seek to remove ions from the metal parts of the engine and damage it. This did not make any sense or, seem correct from a chemistry point of view ! I feel very reassurred by your comments....

Thanks for your advice which confirms what I thought. I never really gave much thought to something said to me by a friend of mine about using pre-mixed coolant 50:50. If you have flushed the system with water, then some water must "lie" in the system after this process. This may only be a small amount in some cars but quite a lot in others. The practical upshot is that your cooling system ends up containing a quantity of 50:50 mix PLUS the residual water and hence overall, the ratio may be significantly more dilute than 50:50. He suggested putting half the coolant system volume in as neat antifreeze and then topping up with water to ensure the ratio.
Of course, if the residue is small and you don@t live in a very cold climate, this will be unlikely to be significant... but in a cold country, or, if you are a fastidious follower of the wortkshop manual, it may count for something.

On a related topic, does anyone know why the driver's handbook ('97 V8) states that the recommended coolant is either Castrol antifreeze or Shellsafe Plus, but that the must NOT be mixed ? Any ideas why they shouldn't be mixed. They seem to be similar types, etc.


..........Oh wow !...On reading the workshop manual, I see that Lotus recommend distilled water in areas where tap water has a high mineral content. Thanks for all your help anyway !

[deecee]

Distilled...most "purified" water has minerals added and these will leave deposits.

[DAVES_GT3]

servicing my gt3 an a week or so. looking for a good antifreeze. like the idea of the pre mixed castrol stuff but ive searched the net and halfords etc but cant seem to find it.

where do you get id from marcus?

cheers dave

[Paula&Marcus]

DAVES_GT3 said:

servicing my gt3 an a week or so. looking for a good antifreeze. like the idea of the pre mixed castrol stuff but ive searched the net and halfords etc but cant seem to find it. where do you get it from marcus? cheers dave

Hi Dave,
I got it from Anglo-Parts: www.angloparts.com
Part number is 186.159.
I usually buy spare parts for my MGA and "classic" engine- and gearbox oil "Penrite" from them.

Cheers
Marcus
www.PUKesprit.de


>> Edited by Paula&Marcus on Sunday 4th September 02:52

[DAVES_GT3]

cheers marcus

any advice on flushing and bleeding the system?

lew has a good page but it looks fidly. also seen andy whittakers way of doing it too. but both use a hose pipe to refil the syatem. might be difficult if using a ready mix do you think?

www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EModifications/ElectricChargeCooler.html

www.andywhittaker.com/lotus/electricchargecoolerpump.htm

any advice would help

cheers dave