1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Water type to be used when mixing with antifreeze ?

Distilled water wouldn't cause any electrolytic effect, it is a non-conductor of electricity. It is the dissolved solids in non distilled water that are the electrolyte and allow water to conduct electricity.

Dave

 

Distilled = good.

De-ionized = bad. This is the stuff that will attack the metal parts in the engine and cooling system. They stock the two side by side in my grocery store, so I always double check.

 

And, to avoid any other issues with using the wrong coolant, I always use MINI branded coolant (plus the distilled water mentioned numerous times, above). I mix coolant and distilled water at 50/50, adding a duct-tape tag to the handle of the coolant jug when I dillute it so I don't forget and re-dilute it again 6 months later.

 

DI water is an aggressive solvent by itself, however, when combined with an appropriate ratio of inhibitors, corrosiveness is neutralized. In the past I viewed DI water in a narrow context and made the same bad vs good judgment. When I mix OEM coolant concentrate and/or add to the fill later I use distilled water, but I also know pre-mixed products using DI are safe and have no reservations about using them.

Zerex G-05 is a MINI compatible phosphate free formulation with pre-mixed DI water.
For track use Red Line Synthetic Oil - WaterWetter® Coolant Additives - SuperCool with WaterWetter® pre-mix with DI water is safe. Performing a coolant mix/WaterWetter swap before & after each hot season will keep the coolant system sediment free.

Water has better thermal transfer capabilities than ethylene glycol. Those of us living in warmer climates don't need a 50/50 ratio to prevent the water in the mix from freezing. A mix of 60% water to coolant is sufficient for year round use in most of the US, even a higher ratio of water for the southern states. Read the label on coolant concentrates for the temp range to mix ratio for your climate.

 

i'll just add this.....for "track" use, water wetter or equivalent in a water/ethylene glycol mix is fine. for "race" use, water or water plus "water wetter". no ethylene glycol based products are allowed. it is very slick when put down on a racing surface.

 

I can't believe that people actually change their coolant just to drive on a track!

Dave

 

They are supposed to change the coolant to water only or water + Water Wetter, if allowed, for RACING, where the possibility of collsion is much greater than a DE event on the track, where passing is controlled. You only have to switch once (when a street car is converted to a full track-only car) as people who are racing usually don't use their daily drivers on the track as I do when I go to a DE event.

I think that the guys who run the Lemons race (racing $500 beaters) won't even allow Water Wetter in the cooling systems because of the high probability that someone is going to spill coolant on the track (given the inexperienced racers and ancient hoses on most of the cars). Unexpected water is bad enough on the track.

 

I do not mix it at all. I live north east it gets cold and very hot. I use the Mini blue Smurf blood at 100% .

6 years no problems.

Oh and yes I have had it flushed a few times.

 

Full strength coolant?

Now that is a bit overboard.........as Keith said, water is the best for thermal transfer even better with the Water Wetter or equivelant additive. But pure coolant is actually worse.

 

Well I have had no problems with it.

Let's just agree to disagree. I have Meth doing some cooling also.

 

Never said you would have problems, just not ideal. And a waste of money.

 

Here is a chart put out by EET Corporation (makers of antifreeze and other products). It shows the effectiveness of Propylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol at different ratio's and the effectiveness at different temperatures.

 

I was always told 70% was the correct mix. Looks like Dad was right. Good on ya Dad!

 

That is for freeze protection. You always want to try and use as little coolant as possible for your local conditions. With my temp extemes (long cold winter and hot summer) I try to run around a 30-40% mixture. Still protects down low enough for my conditions and gives me enough warm weather performance.

 

They are the same thing. Both are just water with ions removed. Distilled water has been deionised by distillation as apposed to another technique such as ion exchange chromotography. The end product is the same and either can be used.

 

They both have minerals removed, that's the extent of their similarity after processing. Deionized water contains organic junk (non-ionic contaminants), distilled is purer. Once the proper balance of chemicals are introduced to the water, and it circulates in the coolant system, they become similar again; both are contaminated.

 

Deionizing water does not remove uncharged organic molecules. It is not as pure as distilled water.

Dave