Is using tap water in the radiator bad?
05-13-2005, 12:29 PM
#21
Racer
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Las Vegas / Scotland
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Don't get confused by the state of your water pipes in your house and the internals of your engine.
The house systems has fresh water passing through it continuously whereas the car is a closed system containing 2 gallons of water - in fact only 1 gallon as the rest is antifreeze.
There are not enough impurities in a gallon of water to cause you problems as long as you have a decent antifreeze mix.
The corrosion problems arise when the antifreeze mixture becomes too weak because it hasn't been changed in years.
If you remember to buy distilled water then that's fine, just don't panic if all you have is regular tap water.
The house systems has fresh water passing through it continuously whereas the car is a closed system containing 2 gallons of water - in fact only 1 gallon as the rest is antifreeze.
There are not enough impurities in a gallon of water to cause you problems as long as you have a decent antifreeze mix.
The corrosion problems arise when the antifreeze mixture becomes too weak because it hasn't been changed in years.
If you remember to buy distilled water then that's fine, just don't panic if all you have is regular tap water.
05-13-2005, 03:05 PM
#22
Race Director
Member Since: Dec 2002
Location: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
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Originally Posted by 92ZR1WANNABE
If you have alot of "hardness" in the cooling system with alum. parts the spinning rotor of the water pump will cause a static like charge that will eat chunks out of the alum water pump housing.
I have a old water pump it took out of my 97 dakota that was destroyed because of this. Ill post some pics for ya. It literally took chunks out of the housing and finally started to leak.
I have a old water pump it took out of my 97 dakota that was destroyed because of this. Ill post some pics for ya. It literally took chunks out of the housing and finally started to leak.
But, it is REAL.
Larry
code5coupe
