My Spcs Cooling System (Straight Water)

[Vspec]

So a week ago today I flushed my coolant system with 6 quarts of distilled water. So In the end I filled my coolant system with pure distilled water, and a full bottle of water wetter from redline.

I also bleed all the air from the system. I just wanted input as if I've done something to harm my cars cooling system.

If anything I think my car gets to temperature sooner, however it seems to take longer for the fans to kick on.

 

[Drew99GT]

Well, if you want any use from your warrenty (if there's any left), I'd get a 50/50 mix of coolent and distilled water in there ASAP. Actually, I'd do that even if I was off warrenty! Corosion protection and boil over protection. You were planning on putting antifreeze in for winter I hope

 

[John K]

Distilled water will be high in dissolved oxygen, quite corrosive. I agree with Drew, get something in there or you'll have a severely corroded cooling system, and you don't have any boil over protection. Years ago Mercedes recommended not using distilled water with antifreeze because of the dissolved oxygen content, though I don't agree with them because if you have some corrosion protection in there it shouldn't take long to get rid of the dissolved oxygen.

 

[Mr Nice]

100% water with Redline WaterWetter is only for a race car, not a street car. I have used WW with zero results in reduced coolant temps. Get some coolant back in your car ASAP !!

 

[Stinky Peterson]

You need the boil protection from the antifreeze and its anti-corrosion additives. Pure water can have a pH as low as 5.5 which is acidic. You want the pH to be around 8.5 or above. Don't wait to correct this problem or you will be sorry!

 

[Vspec]

Super F-ing thanks for the advice, I know what im doing this sunday! (seriously as soon as I can get to it.)

 

[drive it forever]

I hate to say this, I own a Nissan Sentra ser specv and I've had slower cars that had better feeling engines to drive.

 

[mechtech]

As I recall, even Water Wetter recommends a minimum of 20% anti freeze for street cars.

 

[vizvo]

Remember your water pump. It needs lubrication. Antifreeze contains lubricants for the water pump. You can also buy small bottles of water pump lubricant separately.

WARNING - if your water pump is driven by the timing belt, and the water pump seizes, then you lose your timing belt. If you have an interference engine, like the Honda engines for example, you will smash all your valves and destroy your valve train if the timing belt snaps. So in my opinion, running straight water is not such a hot idea.

In any case, why risk losing a water pump under any circumstances. Even if you don't lose your valve train with it, being stranded by the side of the road is no fun. Forget the straight water.

 

[labman]

quote:

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Originally posted by vizvo:
Remember your water pump. It needs lubrication. Antifreeze contains lubricants for the water pump. You can also buy small bottles of water pump lubricant separately.

WARNING - if your water pump is driven by the timing belt, and the water pump seizes, then you lose your timing belt. If you have an interference engine, like the Honda engines for example, you will smash all your valves and destroy your valve train if the timing belt snaps. So in my opinion, running straight water is not such a hot idea.

In any case, why risk losing a water pump under any circumstances. Even if you don't lose your valve train with it, being stranded by the side of the road is no fun. Forget the straight water.

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Likely good advice for those of us where the water pump is driven by a chain too. I have never had a timing chain fail, but I never had a water pump driven by one seize either.

 

[Ray H]

Water pump bearings are sealed units pressed into the housing, and pre-lubed for life. The only "lubrication" afforded by coolant is at the coolant-side junction of the seal and the drive shaft.

 

[Luke]

quote:

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Fm Mech Tech
As I recall, even Water Wetter recommends a minimum of 20% anti freeze for street cars.

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And I've been using the Water Wetter, with 25% anti-freeze, & remaining de-ionized water (or when not found, distilled water). I've been very happer with the mixture, and frequently, I have to drive through Mojave, CA