Distilled water for mixing engine coolant?

[ntsqd]

It’s because you don’t know what some of the words mean.

No, it means that I don't understand how you're using the word "stable." I wouldn't classify water as explosive if that's what you mean, but I do classify it as chemically active, which I would not call "stable". It actively is seeking higher (or lower, I forget which) potential ions and will exchange them when they are encountered. That doesn't sound like a "stable" molecule to me, but to each their own I guess.

As to your other post, some of those are what I tried to find prior to posting this thread.

My question has been answered, thank you all.

 

[Davejam]

In steam turbine generators the chemistry of the water used is very carefully monitored and controlled. They start with RO water, then distill it. And then add back in very specific chemicals in very specific amounts to arrive at precisely the right water chemistry. Whatever that is. Learning this while I worked at one of those steam turbine generating plants started me in questioning the near universal distilled water doctrine.

In what you're describing with steam generators or similarly in boiler systems manufacturers are going to recommend a certain water quality and corrosion inhibitor package based on their system design and materials of construction. These systems are far more sensitive but pretty well understood today.

In the same way automakers recommend a certain quality of coolant and universally recommend mixing with distilled water.
So, what exactly is there to question?
Distilled water is readily available and cheap.
Coolant is providing the corrosion inhibitors and additional chemistry so that it functions as desired.
So, the answer is distilled water + correct coolant or pre-mixed coolant. Very difficult to go wrong.

 

[martinq]

No, Deionized should be 0ppm.
Does it really matter? No and yes. Would you see a difference in a well maintained vehicle following recommended service interval...probably no.
Would that coolant degrade more quickly, technically yes.

The ideal is 7pH, 0 TDS, 0 GH

Thank you! Do you know of any documents or studies that investigate these effects?

 

[WeyounDS9]

I don't really follow, "over that link"?

Sir I had quoted the article (link) in question in my post.
I do not wish to re-quote it so i dont give it more traffic as its flawed.

 

[Sberry]

I have used distilled, have used well water and owned most of it for decades and they are not clogged. Can't tell any difference and have a pretty good amount/sample I look at on regular basis. I quit worrying about it but have been buying ready made lately.

 

[Stumpalump]

I deal with and went to a special class on medical grade RO water and have the test equipment. Medical grade is similar too but a lot cleaner and pure than regular RO or distilled. Like you said it will eat thru metal. I’ve seen what a slow drip will do to a metal floor drain. If you drink distilled or medical/industrial RO water it strips minerals out of your body. I tested it and can say that it does not take much regular water or in this case antifreeze to eliminate all your concern. Sometimes all I have to drink at work sites is nasty tap water or the super clean RO. I add 10% tap to the RO and it is safe for metal or your body. The negative ION get filled with just a little bit of impurities like tap or antifreeze.

 

[kschachn]

I deal with and went to a special class on medical grade RO water and have the test equipment. Medical grade is similar too but a lot cleaner and pure than regular RO or distilled. Like you said it will eat thru metal. I’ve seen what a slow drip will do to a metal floor drain. If you drink distilled or medical/industrial RO water it strips minerals out of your body. I tested it and can say that it does not take much regular water or in this case antifreeze to eliminate all your concern. Sometimes all I have to drink at work sites is nasty tap water or the super clean RO. I add 10% tap to the RO and it is safe for metal or your body. The negative ION get filled with just a little bit of impurities like tap or antifreeze.

A completely different situation than an automotive cooling system, as already noted.