Why Water Quality Matters

**EVO-V** · November 29th, 2012 04:49 PM

These came in for failure analysis:

01. Shows severe calcification and build up due to application of ground water obtained from a pump. (Later revealed to be water sourced from a puddle).

02. No coolant use evident. Metallic particle residue likely from cylinder lining cavitation present. Operator claims that they do not use coolant because they were informed that it corrodes the lining.

Pictures speak a thousand words.

Use clean water and the correct coolant at all times. There is no excuse for being this ill-informed.

**niky** · November 29th, 2012 10:42 PM

Unfortunately, there are still stubborn old goats out there who proclaim to the high heavens that coolant is worse than water simply because water has a higher heat capacity, and that water is the only coolant you will need... ignoring any and all evidence to the contrary.

**EVO-V** · November 29th, 2012 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by niky

Unfortunately, there are still stubborn old goats out there who proclaim to the high heavens that coolant is worse than water simply because water has a higher heat capacity, and that water is the only coolant you will need... ignoring any and all evidence to the contrary.

Thought I'd share the hard evidence. Though this perpetuation of ignorance gives the usual "covertion" and "overhole" people more business.

**kompressor** · November 30th, 2012 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by niky

Unfortunately, there are still stubborn old goats out there who proclaim to the high heavens that coolant is worse than water simply because water has a higher heat capacity, and that water is the only coolant you will need... ignoring any and all evidence to the contrary.

"stubborn old goats". Nailed right at the head.

Although, some "enterprising" shops actually recommend it to give them more return customers and proclaim that their radiator overhaul intervals are the normal ones and even outright lie about coolants, scaring customers that their overhaul intervals will actually shorten/be more frequent when they use coolants.

**Retz** · November 30th, 2012 12:50 AM

don't use water alone. use prestone coolant (pre-mix).

**Type 100** · November 30th, 2012 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by EVO-V

These came in for failure analysis:

Thanks for the photos. I'm assuming this is your day job?

**EVO-V** · November 30th, 2012 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Type 100

Thanks for the photos. I'm assuming this is your day job?

Among other things related to thermal management.

Prestone and similar coolants aren't particularly as good as you want them to be. But they are better than nothing in most cases.

However, note the very presence of water even when in a coolant solution, coming into contact with metals such as steel and aluminum is going to cause problems by its nature.

**EVO-V** · November 30th, 2012 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by kompressor

"stubborn old goats". Nailed right at the head.

Although, some "enterprising" shops actually recommend it to give them more return customers and proclaim that their radiator overhaul intervals are the normal ones and even outright lie about coolants, scaring customers that their overhaul intervals will actually shorten/be more frequent when they use coolants.

A few pointers peeps.

1) A properly maintained cooling system shouldn't need overhauling. There is NO SUCH THING as a regular radiator overhaul.

2) Not all radiators are created equal. There are those made to be disposable. A good radiator saves you the expense and inconvenience of having to replace it prematurely.

3) Proper installation is important. A moron of a mechanic can screw up even something as basic as a radiator installation.

4) A radiator swap is always cheaper than an engine rebuild.

**kompressor** · November 30th, 2012 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by EVO-V

A few pointers peeps.

1) A properly maintained cooling system shouldn't need overhauling. There is NO SUCH THING as a regular radiator overhaul.

2) Not all radiators are created equal. There are those made to be disposable. A good radiator saves you the expense and inconvenience of having to replace it prematurely.

3) Proper installation is important. A moron of a mechanic can screw up even something as basic as a radiator installation.

4) A radiator swap is always cheaper than an engine rebuild.

My point exactly. The "enterprising" shops create all those kinds of BS (overhaul intervals).

My only experiences with radiator swaps/overhauls are with second hand cars as how they were previously maintained were beyond my control. But I cared for a brand new bought auv and I never had to drain it's coolant during its 13 years of service to us. The coolant it had in it was still the OEM one from the factory and as of writing, can sit on idle with the a/c on during very hot days and the temp needle never crosses the operating temp (near the middle) mark.