Filtered water used , not distilled

[Russell]

Had a radiator replaced in my 95 BMW. I forgot to tell the independent BMW shop to use distilled water. They used tap water only they used an "in-line" filter. What would such a filter typically remove from tap water? I suspect there are many types of filter that can be used.

 

[MolaKule]

It might remove some solids but it will not remove dissolved minerals.

Distilled or reverse osmosis water is best.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule


reverse osmosis
Thats what we use.

 

[XCELERATIONRULES]

Tap water contains deposits that can be a cause of early radiator failure.
I love professional mechanics that cheat you out of stuff you should be getting,while charging $70 for labor.

 

[Russell]

Hope the in-line filter removes most deposits. I will possibly change coolant next year and use distilled water. BTW, I used Zerex G0-5 previously and in this coolant change.

I wish labor was as low as $70. It was $83 at the independent BMW/Porsche/Audi/Volvo shop and the BMW dealer is over $100. Wish I had the time to have done it myself. I was detained by work!!

 

[Donald]

There are a few filters that can remove hard water, but they need to be changed very often. I have seen one to filter water for irons and the Mr Clean (I think thats it) spray handle for car washes has a filter good for 5 car washes. I doubt your expensive shop and anything more than a filter to remove solids.

Are you satisfied with the GO-5? I recently bought a 2001 Jeep Cherokee that I believe had GO-5 in it from the factory and now it has the old tried and true green stuff. Unsure if I should go back to the GO-5.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: Donald
There are a few filters that can remove hard water, but they need to be changed very often. I have seen one to filter water for irons and the Mr Clean (I think thats it) spray handle for car washes has a filter good for 5 car washes. I doubt your expensive shop and anything more than a filter to remove solids.

Are you satisfied with the GO-5? I recently bought a 2001 Jeep Cherokee that I believe had GO-5 in it from the factory and now it has the old tried and true green stuff. Unsure if I should go back to the GO-5.


The G0-5 seems fine. It is very similar to BMW blue antifreeze as it is low in phospates etc. but a lot less expensive. The old radiator was very clean, did not see any corrosion, just a tiny bit of sludge in the bottom of the expansion tank. This G-05 fill had been in the car for 1.5 years. Previously I had Zerex green and BMW blue. The radiator was 5 years old with 90,000 miles.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted By: MolaKule
It might remove some solids but it will not remove dissolved minerals.

Distilled or reverse osmosis water is best.

Depends on what it is. Some might just filter out solids; I think they call that reduction of turbidity. Some in-line filters contain ion-exchange resins that will soften water as well as remove heavy metals like lead or copper.

Something like a standard Brita or Pur filter contains an ion-exchange resin. Larger water softening systems use similar materials. It essentially exchanges the calcium/magnesium ions dissolved in the water with sodium. I've heard that the larger units can be recharged after sodium depletion by backwashing and soaking with a brine solution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_exchange_resin#Water_softening

Whether or not exchanging calcium/magnesium with sodium is better can be debated.