For anyone thinking that using 'distilled water' on an engine flush or using it to mix with the coolant is an expensive option you can 'scavenge' distilled water from some appliances from within your home. Air conditioning units and condensers and some 'tumble driers' collect distilled water. This can be collected and stored for later use in a clean container. Many auto store sell this at a premium...putting people off buying it and using tap water. No need. There is a certain amount of discussion about the use of'' de ionised' water and distilled water, there is little or no difference between the two, both have there idiosyncrasies and both can be used in a cooling system safely.
Distilled water is not expensive. It can be be bought in most grocery stores for like 3 dollars a gal. If a person is so hard up they cant scrape up about 15 bucks, they shouldn't own a vehicle.
If only more of us held ourselves to a higher standard. So many auto repair facilities are filled with those who don't know their butt from their elbow when it comes to automotive systems. Never stop learning.
Valuable information! I was using to do the pH testing to confirm bad head gasket as here in our area we are using distilled water as coolant due to never reaching freezing temperature ever. So the pH testing is a valuable testing to ensure a bad head gasket due to the presence of CO2 in the water which forms carbonic acid in result. The voltage testing I understood but never done before. Sure that will be even better and valuable test I will give a try. Thanks for upload. Regards,
You're using straight water? Distilled or not, this will cause the passages inside the engine to rust. I have firsthand experience with this having lived in El Centro CA in the early 90's. I personally saw at least 10 engines destroyed this way. Then there is also the fact that coolant increases the boiling point when mixed with water. Doing this is very foolish and a complete disservice to your customers.
Dear friend you have a nice garage logo on your channel! What is bad in using distilled water as coolant? I am using in my cars for couple of years and have zero trouble with them. Terms and conditions I explained, we are never reaching to freezing temperatures. What is there in the distilled water which will block the passages inside? Distilled water is way good as coolant because it is chemically inert, stable and free. If you are complaining about rust then there is another formulation we are using. We are adding little quantity of chemical used to making coolant for cutting machines. In presence of such chemical the coolant never rust and never cut the metal inside. Seems you didn't open my channel and didn't see my work! Regards,
So you are using cutting fluid chemicals. Did you not read what I stated about coolant also raising the boiling point of water? Cutting fluid will not do this. Why does every manufacturer recommend a 50-50 mix of coolant and de-ionized water or distilled if de-ionized is unavailable? Then you are making statements about how distilled water is inert and stable. Are you aware that distilled water is basically boiled to make it pure then re-condensed? That doesn't make it much better than tap water for what you are doing. Look, you can certainly do what you want. I certainly don't care. However, my comment stands, you are doing a disservice to your customers.
What you are stating is all theoretical. If you will do some practical you will understand that there is nothing bad in tap water if you once fill in the system and don't add it again. The addition of normal tap water will only block the radiator tubing. The distilled water will not do that because there is no salt or Calcium there in distilled water. Pressure also rises the boiling point. Check in basic physics. I am using distilled water alone in my aluminium engine cars for year and having no trouble ever! The 50 50 mix is required when you are living in chilled below zero temperature areas which is not our case. So for me distilled water is the best coolant and maybe it will not be for you. So better you must pay coolant manufactures for what ever reason like real need or only for peace of mind! Regards,
Theoretical????? You can't be serious. Besides my own personal experience over 35 years in various parts of the US, there is also the countless hours of testing by all the manufacturers. Yes, a pressurized system does raise the boiling point. However, it's not enough hence the usage of coolant. Also, numerous engines still use cast iron blocks to date. Then there are metal impeller water pumps, steel fittings pressed into said pumps and into other aluminum parts which carry coolant. These certainly do vary per manufacturer. I have also seen numerous instances where even engines using the proper mix of coolant to water can certainly corrode these fitting and pumps. Then there is an increased potential for cavitation causing issues in the cooling system. I can see you are completely indifferent to the facts. I feel sorry for those whose vehicles you work on.
Nice video. Can you use an electronic ph meter instead of stripes? The cheap ones used for aquariums, swimming pools etc? I mean you would not get a faster and more accurate reading ?
This is obviously a much better solution than the test strips, however, where exactly do we utilize this advanced testing? In a basic oil change or trip inspection, does the strip suffice, or should we simply integrate this into our procedures as better measure? Our current procedures are: continue to use the strip and when an abnormal result displays on the strip, continue testing. Just thinking.
When assessing the quality of the coolant fill, we need to know two things: pH level and mixture ratio. If the pH level is off the system needs to be serviced and the reason for the early demise determined and repaired. It could be something as simple as poor water quality or something more major like a leaking head gasket. If pH is OK, but the ratio is outside the 40-60% window, distilled water or pure coolant can be used to restore the balance. Hope this helps!
@@MotorAgeMagazine Of course!!! I'm referring to the bit where you mention how you never know what the kids at the Quick Lube, other shops, somebody's uncle who worked on cars for 30 years- put in there. If I'm over thinking it, forgive me. I've just heard they don't mix well at all. Recognizing contamination- and avoiding it- would save a person from a lot of greif
Sir, you are amazing teacher....a thorough yet pretty concise talk...I am kinda loving it ❤❤❤
For anyone thinking that using 'distilled water' on an engine flush or using it to mix with the coolant is an expensive option you can 'scavenge' distilled water from some appliances from within your home. Air conditioning units and condensers and some 'tumble driers' collect distilled water. This can be collected and stored for later use in a clean container. Many auto store sell this at a premium...putting people off buying it and using tap water. No need. There is a certain amount of discussion about the use of'' de ionised' water and distilled water, there is little or no difference between the two, both have there idiosyncrasies and both can be used in a cooling system safely.
Thanks for sharing that tip!
Distilled water is not expensive. It can be be bought in most grocery stores for like 3 dollars a gal. If a person is so hard up they cant scrape up about 15 bucks, they shouldn't own a vehicle.
@@johnfranklin5277 3 dollars a gallon? It's a dollar a gallon here. I want to know where you're getting scammed
If only more of us held ourselves to a higher standard. So many auto repair facilities are filled with those who don't know their butt from their elbow when it comes to automotive systems.
Never stop learning.
check mV between coolant in radiator and ground. 30mV max. Any higher causes corrosion from electrolysis . CAT Cummins spec. Shalom
Hey Pete, check my heavy class 8 trucks and excavating tractors this way all the time.. might mention that the "Zip Strips" have a dated shelf life.
Great video, thankful for sharing..
Valuable information! I was using to do the pH testing to confirm bad head gasket as here in our area we are using distilled water as coolant due to never reaching freezing temperature ever. So the pH testing is a valuable testing to ensure a bad head gasket due to the presence of CO2 in the water which forms carbonic acid in result.
The voltage testing I understood but never done before. Sure that will be even better and valuable test I will give a try. Thanks for upload. Regards,
You're using straight water? Distilled or not, this will cause the passages inside the engine to rust. I have firsthand experience with this having lived in El Centro CA in the early 90's. I personally saw at least 10 engines destroyed this way. Then there is also the fact that coolant increases the boiling point when mixed with water. Doing this is very foolish and a complete disservice to your customers.
Dear friend you have a nice garage logo on your channel! What is bad in using distilled water as coolant? I am using in my cars for couple of years and have zero trouble with them. Terms and conditions I explained, we are never reaching to freezing temperatures. What is there in the distilled water which will block the passages inside? Distilled water is way good as coolant because it is chemically inert, stable and free. If you are complaining about rust then there is another formulation we are using. We are adding little quantity of chemical used to making coolant for cutting machines. In presence of such chemical the coolant never rust and never cut the metal inside.
Seems you didn't open my channel and didn't see my work! Regards,
So you are using cutting fluid chemicals. Did you not read what I stated about coolant also raising the boiling point of water? Cutting fluid will not do this. Why does every manufacturer recommend a 50-50 mix of coolant and de-ionized water or distilled if de-ionized is unavailable? Then you are making statements about how distilled water is inert and stable. Are you aware that distilled water is basically boiled to make it pure then re-condensed? That doesn't make it much better than tap water for what you are doing. Look, you can certainly do what you want. I certainly don't care. However, my comment stands, you are doing a disservice to your customers.
What you are stating is all theoretical. If you will do some practical you will understand that there is nothing bad in tap water if you once fill in the system and don't add it again. The addition of normal tap water will only block the radiator tubing. The distilled water will not do that because there is no salt or Calcium there in distilled water. Pressure also rises the boiling point. Check in basic physics. I am using distilled water alone in my aluminium engine cars for year and having no trouble ever! The 50 50 mix is required when you are living in chilled below zero temperature areas which is not our case. So for me distilled water is the best coolant and maybe it will not be for you. So better you must pay coolant manufactures for what ever reason like real need or only for peace of mind! Regards,
Theoretical????? You can't be serious. Besides my own personal experience over 35 years in various parts of the US, there is also the countless hours of testing by all the manufacturers. Yes, a pressurized system does raise the boiling point. However, it's not enough hence the usage of coolant. Also, numerous engines still use cast iron blocks to date. Then there are metal impeller water pumps, steel fittings pressed into said pumps and into other aluminum parts which carry coolant. These certainly do vary per manufacturer. I have also seen numerous instances where even engines using the proper mix of coolant to water can certainly corrode these fitting and pumps. Then there is an increased potential for cavitation causing issues in the cooling system.
I can see you are completely indifferent to the facts. I feel sorry for those whose vehicles you work on.
Nice video. Can you use an electronic ph meter instead of stripes? The cheap ones used for aquariums, swimming pools etc? I mean you would not get a faster and more accurate reading ?
Great question! I don't see why not...and to clarify, the strips shown are designed for automotive testing.
Ya
This is obviously a much better solution than the test strips, however, where exactly do we utilize this advanced testing? In a basic oil change or trip inspection, does the strip suffice, or should we simply integrate this into our procedures as better measure? Our current procedures are: continue to use the strip and when an abnormal result displays on the strip, continue testing. Just thinking.
When assessing the quality of the coolant fill, we need to know two things: pH level and mixture ratio. If the pH level is off the system needs to be serviced and the reason for the early demise determined and repaired. It could be something as simple as poor water quality or something more major like a leaking head gasket. If pH is OK, but the ratio is outside the 40-60% window, distilled water or pure coolant can be used to restore the balance. Hope this helps!
Is using the old way of measuring fluid buoyancy to see the ratio of coolant to water mixture still valid?
That never was an accurate test, and the mixture needs to remain in the range of 40% to 60%. The use of a refractometer is considered "best practice".
What make & model is that refractometer b/c most don't have the % just the temp scale.
The refractometer was purchased from OTC.
Thanks for the response. I ordered an Extech Instruments refractometer yesterday on sale from $188 to $69.
Where can I find the t coolant system testing tools recommended in this video.
Test strips should be available from any reputable parts house and you can find the refractometer online.
No conversation regarding HOAT's and OAT's?
We always recommend using the coolant specified by the OEM
@@MotorAgeMagazine Of course!!! I'm referring to the bit where you mention how you never know what the kids at the Quick Lube, other shops, somebody's uncle who worked on cars for 30 years- put in there. If I'm over thinking it, forgive me. I've just heard they don't mix well at all. Recognizing contamination- and avoiding it- would save a person from a lot of greif