Re: Was: Boge.. Now: Antifreeze

[jdouglas@mitre.org (jason douglas)]

>Distilled.  The dissolved minerals in tap water (and Saint Paul tap water
>has plenty) will wind up on the walls all over the cooling system.  I have
>heard encouraging reports that using distilled water not only does not
>add to this problem, but that it will dissolve some of the deposits
>already there.  So subsequent changes of coolant using distilled water can
>actually improve the system.
>
>I imagine that the distilled-water mix has less electrical conductivity
>than the tap-water mix.  This should help lessen the electrolytic corrosion.
>
OK, but what about flushing?  I "flushed" my dearly departed vanagon by
pouring 3 gallons of distilled water into one of the cooling hoses and
letting it pour out of another.  Of course, the pressure with this method is
nil.  Does this matter?  With a new or well maintained car there should
theoretically be no need for flushing, just replacement (right?).  With an
older car that has had indifferent maintenance .....

Jason Douglas
whi drives an older ('86) 5000S that has had indifferent maintenance until
about 2 years ago