Deionized water for cooling systems? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

HuskyMan · #1 03-19-2010, 06:32 PM

trying to locate a source for deionized water to mix 50/50 with antifreeze
for the cooling system. any ideas where to find it?

C Sean Watts · #2 03-19-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

trying to locate a source for deionized water to mix 50/50 with antifreeze
for the cooling system. any ideas where to find it?

Make friends with someone who works in a college chemistry department.

D.I. might be a bit of overkill since it becomes ionized as soon as you add the coolant. I've always used steam distilled for coolant mix (not R.O. or filtered drinking water) and never had any problems. I also use it in my batteries.

strelnik · #3 03-19-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Sean Watts

Make friends with someone who works in a college chemistry department.

D.I. might be a bit of overkill since it becomes ionized as soon as you add the coolant. I've always used steam distilled for coolant mix (not R.O. or filtered drinking water) and never had any problems. I also use it in my batteries.

If you add a small amount of osmium tetroxide to a gallon of water, it will do the trick. Let it settle a bit and when the precipitate settles, it will be deionized. Get some at the drugstore.

PS don't drink it

leathermang · #4 03-19-2010, 07:20 PM

I think Heavy Water has a better coefficient of cooling....

layback40 · #5 03-19-2010, 07:45 PM

We use rain water. Just put a few buckets out next time it rains. If you still have snow about, melt some. Dont use mineral or bore water.

I dont believe "Osmium Tetroxide" will have the required benefit as distilled/deionized/rain water. It is a poison & is used as a reagent in research labs. Maybe some of the members are pulling your leg.
Plain water is plenty heavy enough, we dont need the mutations associated with waste "heavy water" from the nuclear industry. Cant think of anything worse than a "Mutated Mercedes", I guess you would call it a BMW !!

Matt L · #6 03-19-2010, 08:40 PM

How about water from a reverse-osmosis filter?

layback40 · #7 03-19-2010, 08:49 PM

Depends on the RO. If it was the type used in a desalination plant it may be ok. You can do a conductivity test on the water to determine how clean/free of minerals it is.

buffa98 · #8 03-19-2010, 08:54 PM

I dont know where you are at but, Look up a source for industrial water treatment. All chem, Nalco, Alltair, and US Filter are a few. Most of those places will sell a gallon of DI water. That is what we use as our standards in power generation(for testing meters,conductivity probes etc)
If I need any I just bring a jug in from home.

Of course it helps to work in the water treatment area of plant.

Chas H · #9 03-19-2010, 08:59 PM

I buy distilled water at the market for less money than most bottled drinking water. There's no need for de-ionized water, distilled is virtually as pure. In fact some water sold as distilled is de-ionized.

tbomachines · #10 03-19-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chas H

I buy distilled water at the market for less money than most bottled drinking water. There's no need for de-ionized water, distilled is virtually as pure. In fact some water sold as distilled is de-ionized.

I'm with you man...all this talk of osmosis and desalination plant trips and stuff seems like extreme overkill to me. You can find distilled water at most supermarkets, for sure at Wally World.

charmalu · #11 03-20-2010, 01:09 AM

I have used distilled water for years. the Datsun down in my signature has been on it for the 28 years I have owned it. It is still on it`s original radiator. and yes, the 458,000 miles is correct.

Last fall I had a coolant leak on the top of the radiator. thought the seam finally let loose on the top tank. It was the radiator cap. the rubber seal in the cap split, and this was the original cap. maybe the Distilled water added to the life of the cap.

.

Charlie

jdh122 · #12 03-20-2010, 10:52 AM

I use only pure grain alcohol and rainwater. Protects my Benz's precious bodily fluids...

strelnik · #13 03-20-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

I'm with you man...all this talk of osmosis and desalination plant trips and stuff seems like extreme overkill to me. You can find distilled water at most supermarkets, for sure at Wally World.

The only reason doctors don't want you to drink exclusively distilled wsater is that it has no minerals, it's just water, lol. American diets are so devoid of minerals, since there are few in processed food, that filtered water from the earth contains at least some of the minerals we humans need.

Lots of minerals in eating raw fruit and veggies or in freshly squeezed juices.

Am not sure what kind of minerals you get from grain alcohol, will have to check that out, lol