Antifreeze Question Tap water vs distilled

[sweep]

I have a 2006 New Holland farm tractor and changed the antifreeze today. Owners manual says only to use distilled water/antifreeze mix. I always use distilled water/antifreeze mix but for some reason today I forgot and used regular tap water even though I had 2 gallons of distilled water on the workbench. Tractor has a aluminum radiator.

Should I flush it out and replace? I put about 50-55 hours per year on the tractor and replace the antifreeze every 2-2.5 years.NH says every year but I don't put much hours on it.

I plan on keeping this tractor forever and don't want corrosion problems or blocking of rad passages. Some say all it takes is a couple of years of tap to coat a layer of lime on the inside of the radiator but not sure if that is scaremonegery or not

BTW our water is very limey and full of chemicals...more than other locals.

Or should I just run it and change it out next year.

 

[oosik]

I would just run it and change it out next year. Peer down into the radiator, next year, and see what it looks like. If there is scale build up then get the appropriate radiator flush and flush it. I use tap water and have never had problems in 32 years. Our water here is harder than rocks. I've used radiator flush once and it didn't seem to make any visible difference inside the radiator. I used tap water in my previous tractor for the 28 years I had it and there was no blockage, build up - etc. There was a very thin layer of scale(calcium carbonate) but nothing to worry about.

 

[namesray]

I have been using tap water with prestone antifreeze for the past 7 years. I was flushing every 2 years and each time the old stuff came out clean looking. never rusty or such. I have never had any overheat issues either. Been doing it with 3 different Kubota engines. Now every tap water is different, so that might be a variable, but I believe it is such a small part of water and today's coolants have very good corrosion and rust inhibitors so in my opinion you will be ok to go 2 years, just do a flush at that time and take note of the condition the old coolant comes out. I have since pushed my coolant flushes to 4 years.

 

[jaotguy]

don't even worry about it ... if you can drink it , it's OK for the tractor ....

 

[sweep]

don't even worry about it ... if you can drink it , it's OK for the tractor ....

Our water is nasty tasting..we use a Pur filter on the sink faucet lol

 

[oosik]

I found some HD Zerex antifreeze that has a 5 year replacement interval. When its time is up I'll do a flush and see what comes out. Otherwise, like Ray, I've never experienced any problems relating to the coolant system. I don't play games with the coolant either - I mix at a 50/50 ratio so its good down to around -30F to -35F.

Yes, sweep, my "summer water" is high in sulphur - could grow hair on a bowling ball.

 

[Looking4new]

I use distilled in both the rad and battery on the Kioti. The Jeep gets well water. For myself I use distilled in Scotland.

 

[oosik]

For me - its from Lynchburg, Tenn.

 

[Wolfy]

I have never had a problem using hard well water, and there were a lot of radiators.

 

[s219]

I always used tap water before I knew better, and never had problems. I have been told that if you run it through a filter (fridge filter, brita, pur, etc) that helps a lot.

 

[batwing]

depends on your water, I would run it for a year if it was mine. As mentioned it probably would be fine for a long time.
Ron

 

[cowpie1]

I just always use a 50/50 mix right out of the jug. Solves the problem.

 

[George2615]

I'd also run it and change it back to distilled water next time. No sense wasting the new antifreeze you just put in. Distilled water is pure where Tap water has other minerals and contaminants that may not be good for longevity of certain metals.

Tap Water Purity

The University of Illinois department of physics says that the difference between distilled water and tap water is that tap water does not go through the same purification process as distilled water. Tap water, which is not highly purified, can contain trace amounts of substances like salts, nitrates, chloramines, fluoride, and microorganisms, as long as the amounts meet EPA regulations.

Distilled Water Purity

Distilled water comes from recondensed steam. The purification process includes boiling water and collecting water vapors that return to its liquid state. This process causes impurities to separate for the distilled water, leaving water in its purest form.

Read more : What Is the Difference Between Distilled Water & Tap Water? | eHow

 

[CurlyDave]

...BTW our water is very limey and full of chemicals...more than other locals....

This tells me all I need to know. I would drain it, fill with distilled, drain again, and fill with the 50-50 mixture with antifreeze.

Be sure to get a diesel-rated antifreeze. Some types can cause cavitation which will destroy an engine in just a few hours.

The cost of this is very low compared to the cost of repair if things go really wrong...

 

[ZAR2USA]

Regular water contains minerals that overtime can cause the radiator passages to fill up or get clogged with a gel or wax like substances.

To flush or clean your radiator and get rid from it, use CALGON a household detergent, or any other detergent that is NON-Phosphate.

When the engine has cooled, drain all coolant, fill with mixture of CALGON and water.

Run engine until it reach operating temp, then run for additional 5 min at that temp.

Wait for engine to cool down, and drain coolant.

Best Coolant is Chevron or Texaco ELC (Extra Long Coolant Life).

Only buy Concentrate, then mix with DISTILLED water only, per manufacturer instructions, based on the climate zone you live in.

In most southern Florida, 40% coolant and 60% water is best for maximum cooling efficiency.

Regular water will cause the engine block to rust with the minerals that's in it.

P.S. Remember, what are completely acceptable for some, are condemned by others. Some folks have NASA standards in operating, caring and maintaining there equipment.

 

[Scrambler82]

Why not use straight antifreeze ?

 

[Wolfy]

Straight antifreeze boils over easy.

 

[Wolfy]

Id use the distilled water if I could obtain it easy, around me, grocery stores seldom carry it. I do not know of anywhere else to get it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Why not use straight antifreeze ?

Straight anti-freeze has a much higher freeze point than a 50/50 solution. Google it and see for yourself the difference in freeze temps for various % of water mixes.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Why not use straight antifreeze ?

Lowest freeze point is with 50/50 mixture of water and anti-freeze. Pure antifreeze freezes at a much higher temperature than the 50% solution and should never be used in pure state.
Google it and see for your self what the ratios equal to freeze temps.