I read that you shouldn't mix coolant fluid with regular tap water, that you should mix it with distilled water. How bad is tap water, and what will it do to your engine? thanks

Regular tap water has minerals which will eventually cause build up inside the coolant system. Distilled water has gone through a process which eliminates all the minerals to keep the system free of deposits cause by the non distilled water.

Distilled water is fairly cheap and can be found at any grocery store. For my sled, I always take a Prestone or similar container and mix 60 percent coolant (fresh) with 40 percent distilled water and I take it with me on every over the road sled trip. It's plenty for two sleds and the possible emergency need for the tow vehicle and it's always on hand.

Jon

I've never mixed coolant with anything BUT tap water for anything I've ever owned.

same here with tap water.

It's not going to cause an immediate problem, it's more of a potential long-term problem over the life of the sled, as it builds up. It would probably never cause a breakdown, but could cause you to run a little hot. It's REALLY important not to put tap water in a battery (it WILL shorten it's life), but I wouldn't do it in a radiator either, except in an emergency. It also depends on where you live, the mineral content is much higher in some areas than others. For what distilled water costs, why use anything else?

Did you know that water wouldn't conduct electricity if it weren't for the minerals in it? One test for the purity of de-ionized and reverse-osmosis water is by how much electricity it can conduct.

This is a 50/50 question. I have never used distilled water and never had a mineral problem. I also think it is bull that you change your anti-freeze every 1-2 years as recommended by the manufacture.
I just changed the antifreeze in my backhoe for the second time since 1985 and the tubes look like new! It has NEVER even come CLOSE to overheating in that time. I guess for the price of 1 gallon of distilled water what the heck, most of us treat our sleds better than our wifes. Hummm maybe that's why I just did the big D hehe.

I did have an old 72 Fury that would run hot in some conditions, the radiator was just too caked with deposits. Put a new radiator in, no more problem.
Remember that sleds have a much smaller coolant capacity than most other machines, and often run under a very high load. There is a real reason why they tell you to do it, and it's not to make money on distilled water, LOL.

Mixed tap water in
1970 dodge charger 500
1999 chev silverado truck
1994 Impalla ss
2003 Polaris SKS
1993 Suburban

all with no problems to date

Good point, but I'm with fuzzy. Have worked over 20 years as a license tech and nowhere I ever worked went to the trouble of distilled water. That said, technically, yes it would definetely be better.

I won't accuse any of the respondents above of caring for their sleds better than their loved ones, but come on, lets be honest......I almost do. That being said, how can we all talk out of both sides of our mouths? I've seen pics on here of aluminum tunnels that double as mirrors they're so shiney. You all put tons of money into the engines to make an already fast sled become stupidly fast. You query as to whether or not it would be worth it to by the graphite (expensive) hyfax. More than not become genuine Amsoil dealers just because there's a belief that it will make the motor last that much longer. What is the best polish? Should I index the plugs? What's the latest and greatest grease for my baby? I could go on and on...

So why now is it O.K. to use average tap water for the precious coolant system when it's a known fact that undistilled water causes lime and mineral deposits that can eventually harm whatever it's running through? Yea, no one here probably will keep a sled as long as it takes for that to happen, but then why is it that the rest of the systems don't get ignored? I've never seen a post on here that says, "What's the worst oil I can put in my machine?" Or, "Hey, will 50 grit sandpaper take away the shine on my tunnel?" "Water in the gas is O.K., isn't it?"

You all know what? From now on when I go searching for a used sled, that's going to be the first question I ask; "Did you mix the coolant with distilled water?" What ever the answer, I'll be able to determine a wealth of knowledge about the owner.

Sorry to rant, but I'm a guy of principles. ???

Ecopter, nice post! very thought provoking! My Dad always told me, Take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you. rings true to me! Honk :hallo1:

You guys are correct in saying distilled water is the only way to go ,having been a plumber for the last 26 years i have seen thousands of times what minerals do to all metals,they are the primary reason for failures in systems which have water in them,it's the reason why you have to replace your water heaters in your home,the cooling systems in your cars etc.it's only like a buck a gallon and it's cheap insurance to prevent problems down the road

I'm with the others on the buy distilled water issue. The overall chances of problems in the future depend on the mineral content of the water in your area. Here, my water is from a well, and is more accurately described as liquid rock. If you put the sludge from my faucets in your radiator, you will be able to count on replacing it in the not too distant future.

What's your water like? Do you know? I'd say spend a little now and avoid potential big repairs later.

Oh please, I'm going to buy a sled based on the fact that the owner mixes his coolant with distilled water? Give me a break.
I don't respect machinery if I don't mix coolant with distilled water. Come on.
Re-read the posts and don't hear anyone talking out of both sides of their mouths,
most responses being quite honest.
This is my take on this subject.
Is distilled water better--Absolutely!
Will you destroy your machinery if you use tap-water-Probably not, although depending on WHERE you reside some places could be worse than others.
As for the plumbing issue, sure calcium and lime are a huge problem, but most people go a decade on their plumbing systems.
Just my two cents ( I feel better now ) :D

Maybe you should re-read my post. I'm not accusing anyone either, as indicated in my first sentence. As I said, I have no facts as to whether or not the respondants give a rats a$$ about how to take care of a sled. But as I remarked further, most of the folks that post on here do care about their machines to a point of being absolutely ridiculous, (including me). Therefore, from what I read above, how can people insist on the best for one part while ignoring the best for another? Maybe everyone that's posted on this topic just gasses on goes, but I doubt it. People that frequent this site are fanatics and probably spend a lot of money on the sport. When I read some of the responses about using regular tap water, while it's not the end of the world, I simply laughed at my keyboard for what I deem a bit of hypocrisy in TLC for a sled. It's that simple.

And no, I won't give you a break. I choose to do business with people that I would expect to do as I do. Yes, while I may admit it may seem ridiculous to base a decision on that alone, what it tells me is there's a possible issue with this person operating hap-hazardly in other areas of ownership.

This is my take on the subject: I don't care what you all put in your sled. Will it affect it while you're the owner? Why take a chance. To me, a lot of this is a no brainer that a simple scan of an owner's manual will clarify. Yes, I tend to follow them as they usually will not lead you down the wrong path. Am I a simpleton? Maybe, but whoever buys my machine after my ownership will be getting a very well cared for snowmobile (in every aspect and system).

Jon

Point taken, respecting your opinion. :D

Whenever I mix water with antifreeze, whether it's in my sled or vehicles, I always use the water collected from my dehumidifier in my basement. Would this qualify as "distilled water". Technically, probably not. But it's still better than my well water.

hhhmmmm....not so sure I'll try the basement dehumidifier method :p

I work in the Heat/AC trade so I see alot of damage done to pipes by the mineral in the water here. Where I live in So. NH we have plenty of good water, but it is loaded with minerals and conscidered extreamly "hard" water.

Because of this I do use distilled water with my antifreeze in my sled. Years ago when I raced MX and quads I used to do the same. Its only 2 miles to the drug store and grocery store to buy it, and Im there once a week anyway, so no big deal. I dont bother with any of the water wetter or coolant additives. I dont think they help anything anyway at the temps that we ride in. Anytime Ive had any of my liquid cooled sled or bike engines apart, the water passages were always clean.

Todd
:)

I THINK THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE THIS IS TO BUY THE PREMIXED ANTI-FREEZE 50/50. I WAS IN MY LOCAL WALLY WORLD JUST LAST WEEKEND LOOKING FOR SOME ANTI FREEZE FOR MY SLEDS I BOUGHT THE PREMIXED JUG. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT AND LOOK ON THE BOTTLE AND SEE IF THEY CLAIM IT'S MIXED WITH DISTILLED WATER.
DGZRT

Great viewpoints from ecopter.

The only way I see tap water causing problems is when it is used over, and over.....over and over.............Have you guys ever seen a faucet that never stops running compared to a facuet that has had only maybe 2 gallons of water pumped through it? My point is that if you dump 2 gallons (or however much) of tap water in a systmen it's that same 2 gallons still pumping through your system thousands of miles (or however many miles) down the road. I don't think the typical cooling system is going to be majorly effected by that in addition to the antifreeze used in it. Have you guys ever looked to see what is in antifreeze?

I don't think I would concern myself over a system that had used either tap or distilled water. I've used tap in all of my stuff for years, as has my dad, and my grandpa (a boilerman by trade), and numerous other people I know as well, and have never had coolant related problems.

I would be willing to bet that if you were looking at a sled and asked the owner if he used tap water or distilled water in the system you will get 1 of 3 responses.

1. "yes"
2. "no"
3. "I don't touch my sled, I take it to the dealer to have it serviced."

Mind you a "yes" answer doesn't necessarily mean an intelligent or knowledgable owner. The thing that some people don't understand is that some people treat their stuff with kid gloves and a lot of times they are doing more harm than good, or it is just unnecessary, such as using a hich octane fuel in an engine that only requires a lower octane, or using ethynol based fuels in a system that is made highly of plastic parts (this is often debatable as well).

I would almost bet that a system that has tap water in it is going to last just as long as one that has used distilled water in it, and will cool just as effectively.

However, when all else fails, just ask the manufacturer...(I believe it is "B" in the link)

http://www.peakantifreeze.com/faq.html

But what do I know?

Snow-Drift, I think you might have missed one of the key points from the previous posts. Whether it's detrimental to your cooling system or not depends greatly on where you live. I have well water which is LOADED with minerals, just like the guy from Texas. I won't even drink it unfiltered! There is no way it is going in one of my vehicles. If you have city water, or live in an area with low mineral content in your groundwater, it probably won't cause a problem. But for the price of distilled water (pennies), why chance it?

In a pinch, I wouldn't give it a second thought. But I always have a jug of distilled water for topping off batteries, so I use it for coolant also. Its pretty cheap stuff, and goes a long way.

The dehumidifer idea is better than tap water. There isn't alot of minerals floating around in the air your breathing, so its pretty clean water, assuming you keep the dust and mold and other stuff out of your dehumidifier.

FishHog

Originally posted by FishHog@Aug 5 2003, 09:19 AM


The dehumidifer idea is better than tap water. There isn't alot of minerals floating around in the air your breathing, so its pretty clean water, assuming you keep the dust and mold and other stuff out of your dehumidifier.

FishHog
FishHog,
Thanks for backing me up. I didn't think it was a bad idea. I too, think it's better than using tap water, especially if you filter it afterwards. :D

always heard its a long term problem. sense i ussually sell my sled after 2 yrs of running i dont worry about the build up.

I agree that you should be using distilled water but i've never used the glycol,instead i use a product that i found when i was racing motocycle's,called water wetter,a pink crystalized powder when mixed with distilled water creates the coolant.Benefit's are the liquid is alot lighter resulting in less stress on the water pump etc at higher rpm's as well as no more slippery,sticky glycol.

:D Could I melt snow and put it in my radiator? Well, it's called a snowmobile!
:sly: