Automobile Radiators questions

[THRUSH]

Well, I have a couple to ask of people:

1- distilled or tap water? I don't think I've used distilled water in the past, but have been reading more and more how it's recommended. Well, I guess I've read a lot from both sides or the argument. My auto manual recommends it too. What are your opinions?

2- Back flush kit? I was thinking of using one of these, although I haven't ever in the past. Has anyone had much experience. It seems that most do not use one, but it sounds simple so I figure why not. Although, here's the kicker. If the answer to my first question is to use distilled water how would I go about using this kit, which requires you to use a garden hose? You flush using the kit and then it's assumed that enough water is remaining so you would just add coolant, so the tap water is in there.

I guess it's probably not that big of a deal really, but I just want someone's opinion who has more experience than me and more auto knowledge.
Thanks

[Brainchild]

Distilled water doesn't have all the additives, and contaminates in it that tap water does, therefore it doesn't corrode as badly. Antifreeze has lubricantes,and non-corrosives in it so if you use tap water, you are really taking away from the effectiveness of the coolant.
As far as backflush kit, never used one myself. By the time I get the car it's because of failure. already flushed out on the ground
that's my .02 cents

[bigblue77]

I agree with brainchild on the distilled water, but I don't worry about it myself. I regularly do(once or twice a year, depending on circumstances) backflushes on my vehicles. It is probably overkill to do more than every other year on a vehicle with regular use. But sinse I work on Diesel trucks, where it is more critical, I am prone to do it more often.
A backflush basically helps get loose scale and other contaminents out of you cooling system by pushing water thru in a opposite direction which can help break them loose from where they are hiding.

Jer

[THRUSH]

Thanks. Yeah, I really wanted to do a back flush but didn't see how that would work if you are supposed to use distilled water.

So bigblue, let me get this straight. Would it not be much to worry about what kind of water, if you do regular flushes? The only thing I was worried about is having all of that tap water left in there, so you have to use that instead of the distilled water if doing a back flush. If the tap water is going to muck things up though is it worth doing the flush? I'm probably thinking about this too much, but just don't want to mess things up.
thanks again
THRUSH

[crazyray]

Prestone actually tried to market demineralized water for this purpose a couple of years ago.

The bulk of the cars on the road were filled with an antifreeze/ tap water mixture. As Thrush pointed out, even if you use distilled water, you flush with tap water. Make your choice.

Brainchild's answer explains all. The idea is to use a fluid that will not corrode the iron/copper parts of a radiator. Distilled water will. Regular water usually leaves mineral deposits which over a period of time clog the innards and decrease cooling efficience.

I'd just use a good brand radiator fluid-green or blue colored. Contains rust preventive additives plus lots of other good stuff for the radiator/water pump parts.

[pickel]

Back flushing is the only way to go, but you have to it correctly to be most effective. Drain and rince till water is clear. Install radiator cleaner w/ fresh water , let run ( at idle ) for twenty minutes, then flush til clear. Check finns inside radiator, If not clean , do it again, til they are. With the cap on, keep drain valve open, take compressed air and blow out system thru water inlet of flushing tee, til as much water is expelled. Close drain annd fill with the amount of anti-freeze you need for a 50/50 mixture. Pour in one pint of brake fliud( cheapest kind) This will coat the rubber surfaces and lube the water pump ( Old mechanics trick) add distilled water if you like, but not neccesary (IMO) Been doing it like that for thirty years and have never overheated and only busted one hose. Try it ,you'll like it !!!

pickel, nice tip about the brake fluid. I'm gonna try it.

[Jonty]

I've always used rainwater, but I now understand that rainwater is very mildly acidic, but I've never had to replace any hose for this reason or any other come to that.

I'm going to keep on using rainwater as I don't think it is a threat to the inards of the cooling system - unless anyone knows better?

[bigblue77]

Yes the brake fluid trick does work, just be sure you don't have any silicone hoses first. I have seen some pretty bad messes caused by brake fluid in cooling systems with silcone hoses. But, as long as you have standard hoses, it works well.

I use Cascade to clean out my cooling system rather than radiator cleaner(just a personal preference). I do it the same way that pickel described.

Almost every mechanic has his/her way of cleaning out cooling systems, and most work well. You just have to find one that works best for you.

Jer