Kubota Concentrated AntiFreeze #70040-0L014 - add Distilled Water or ????

[wendol]

I've always used distilled water to flush and then add to the concentrate for a 50/50 mix.........however this morning Mr. Google also mentioned deionized water as a better alternative.

Your thoughts and recommendations, are welcome and appreciated.

 

[Nicksacco]

Interesting.
I've always used distilled for everything. Curious if anyone has one of these deionizers.
I looked around and found some articles:

How Deionization of Water Works

Learn how deionization of water works to know how deionized water systems remove minerals for home or commercial use.

www.homedepot.com

What is Deionized Water?

This article explains all about deionized water, how it's made, it's uses, benefits, risks and if it's safe to drink. Learn more here.

waterfilterguru.com

Doesn't seem like drinking it is a good idea eh?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I'm pretty sure there's been 100s or thousands of tractors that ran millions of gallons of 'crick water' for decades long before 'science guys' and Google came along.......

drinking RO or distilled water leads to softer bones and teeth

 

[The Evil Twin]

I've always used distilled water to flush and then add to the concentrate for a 50/50 mix.........however this morning Mr. Google also mentioned deionized water as a better alternative.

Your thoughts and recommendations, are welcome and appreciated.

I would not go with what Dr. Google recommends. Distilled is the purest form of water. For flushing the system, both are probably equal. Heck, for flushing i just use my tap (filtered and softened) water. However, for mixing the coolant, distilled is the preferred choice for long term use.

Doesn't seem like drinking it is a good idea eh?

Its fine as long as you aren't running it through metal pipes or your water heater. Drinking significant quantities of either distilled or deionized aren't recommended though. The body needs the minerals in regular old water.

 

[The Evil Twin]

I'm pretty sure there's been 100s or thousands of tractors that ran millions of gallons of 'crick water' for decades long

Or worse! The movie Red Dawn comes to mind

 

[mikester]

De-ionized water is good if you have a 100% stainless steel cooling system, bad for other metals because of it's corrosive effects. Stick to distilled water.

 

[chim]

We did some work at a couple pharmaceutical plants. One of the things I remember was the damage done to steel and concrete where RO/DI water occasionally dripped. The explanation I got was that it leeched ions from the materials it came in contact with. I wouldn't think distilled water would be bad - but I'm no chemist.

 

[lmichael]

Best to use good ol' distilled water. I flush my cooling systems with it, and then use for proper concentration when refilling. If I use a concentrate.
If you look at a jug of prediluted it always indicates it's diluted with distilled water. And actually my own Kubota dealer did not have any of the actual Kubota coolant when I was last there. But he said it's exactly the same as the ones Asian car makers use i.e. Toyota pink or Honda blue. I only drive Toyotas and have pink on hand and he told me it will work just fine. So on last coolant service, I flushed with plain distilled water, emptied completely and refilled with Toyota pink premix coolant.
No issues. I figgered the Kubota dealer should know what they're talking about

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I once worked in the commercial plumbing industry, for a manufacturer's rep. Had to learn a bit about various specialty drains. Many of the specialty drains were available in stainless steel. The standard was type 304, which is pretty good stuff. Much better at resisting corrosion than the stuff that's used for decorative stuff, like automotive grills or the cheaper exhaust systems. (Yes, there's more than one kind used for exhaust systems.)

A few were available in type 316, which is sometimes called, "medical grade". This was specified for use in places like battery rooms (think forklift charging) where they might be exposed to sulfuric acid, or for labs where they might encounter all kinds of nasty corrosives, including.....

Deionized water.

Stick with distilled.

 

[fried1765]

I'm pretty sure there's been 100s or thousands of tractors that ran millions of gallons of 'crick water' for decades long before 'science guys' and Google came along.......

drinking RO or distilled water leads to softer bones and teeth

I have owned many vehicles/machines over my 82 years on this earth, and have never used anything but simple tap water ( neutral PH ) in engine cooling systems.
I do try to use distilled water in batteries.

 

[lmichael]

I have owned many vehicles/machines over my 82 years on this earth, and have never used anything but simple tap water in engine cooling systems.
I do try to use only distilled water in batteries.

Doesn't make it the best thing to do. Engines have changed A LOT over the years. Especially in re to cooling systems and what goes in them due to changes in materials the engines and their components are made of. Yeah, as a kid I recall my dad needing to remove the "anti freeze" every spring from his 47 Chevy otherwise it would "boil over". Well, guess why....................back then it was methanol which while it did not freeze it boiled over at only 160 deg or so. Of course he then had to put plain eater in it and store the jugs of antifreeze in the garage until fall.
Back then cooling systems were far simpler, had far less demands on them (heck I doubt that 6 cyl had over 7-1 compression).
Now you would not dream of running methanol coolant.
Bottom line just because you got some age on you and you been doing something the same, doesn't make it the "right" or best way

 

[fried1765]

Doesn't make it the best thing to do. Engines have changed A LOT over the years. Especially in re to cooling systems and what goes in them due to changes in materials the engines and their components are made of. Yeah, as a kid I recall my dad needing to remove the "anti freeze" every spring from his 47 Chevy otherwise it would "boil over". Well, guess why....................back then it was methanol which while it did not freeze it boiled over at only 160 deg or so. Of course he then had to put plain eater in it and store the jugs of antifreeze in the garage until fall.
Back then cooling systems were far simpler, had far less demands on them (heck I doubt that 6 cyl had over 7-1 compression).
Now you would not dream of running methanol coolant.
Bottom line just because you got some age on you and you been doing something the same, doesn't make it the "right" or best way

So now.....
Where do I go to buy distilled water?
There is none available at local stores, or supermarkets, near me!
I have been looking for some since November!

There are 838 Publix supermarket stores here in Florida!
Publix has no distilled water!

Amazon is selling distilled water - 12 gallons for $41.
You are somewhat correct about the age thing!
I ain't payin $3.45 per gallon for distilled water!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

get a kettle, fill with water, turn on, capture the steam, let it cool and condense, that's distilled water.....
if you have air conditioning, capture the 'condensate'....it's distilled(free of minerals ) water as well..

 

[D2Cat]

Use what is in the dehumidifier bucket!

 

[6869704x4]

So now.....
Where do I go to buy distilled water?
There is none available at local stores, or supermarkets, near me!
I have been looking for some since November!

There are 838 Publix supermarket stores here in Florida!
Publix has no distilled water!

Amazon is selling distilled water - 12 gallons for $41.
You are somewhat correct about the age thing!
I ain't payin $3.45 per gallon for distilled water!

I lived in NW Florida for 30yrs. Only used tap water, depending on where you're at you might be okay. Florida has some pretty good water. Here in SE NM we got extremely hard water. We have to use vinegar to keep our faucets clean. I started using distilled here. There is an additive for cooling systems also. I've seen it on shelves but haven't used it.
As far as making your own distilled water, it takes a lot of energy, gas or electric, and a lot of time.
The other option is to use diluted coolant ready to go.

 

[fried1765]

I lived in NW Florida for 30yrs. Only used tap water, depending on where you're at you might be okay. Florida has some pretty good water. Here in SE NM we got extremely hard water. We have to use vinegar to keep our faucets clean. I started using distilled here. There is an additive for cooling systems also. I've seen it on shelves but haven't used it.
As far as making your own distilled water, it takes a lot of energy, gas or electric, and a lot of time.
The other option is to use diluted coolant ready to go.

"Only used tap water, depending on where you're at you might be okay"

My point ......exactly!

 

[mikester]

"Only used tap water, depending on where you're at you might be okay"

My point ......exactly!

If you have hard water you may not be happy when you need to replace your radiator costing $400+ because you can't find a shop to re-core radiators any more.

 

[ItBmine]

I just buy the pre-mixed 50/50 Prestone coolant and then a jug of concentrate and then I mix and test until I get it to minus 45*C protection. Then no worry's.

 

[chim]

So now.....
Where do I go to buy distilled water?
There is none available at local stores, or supermarkets, near me!
I have been looking for some since November!

There are 838 Publix supermarket stores here in Florida!
Publix has no distilled water!

Amazon is selling distilled water - 12 gallons for $41.
You are somewhat correct about the age thing!
I ain't payin $3.45 per gallon for distilled water!

The two grocery stores we frequent most (Weis and Giant) both stock distilled water for around $1.20 a gallon. There's decent shelf space alotted for it but supply is a little spotty sometimes. I asked a gal at Weis why the shelf is empty sometimes ad she said people who use CPAP machines sometimes come and stock up, taking large quantities.

 

[fried1765]

The two grocery stores we frequent most (Weis and Giant) both stock distilled water for around $1.20 a gallon. There's decent shelf space alotted for it but supply is a little spotty sometimes. I asked a gal at Weis why the shelf is empty sometimes ad she said people who use CPAP machines sometimes come and stock up, taking large quantities.

I use a CPAP machine, so that is my reason for searching for distilled water.