The owners manual for my L235DT calls for water in the radiator (no coolant) and the occasional use of Kubota scale inhibitor #20. Kubota no longer offers the scale inhibitor so I'm wondering what to do. Just use water or switch to coolant after flushing the system. What do you all think?
Water or coolant
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Russell King
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Water = straight that is, is a GREAT coolant. Better than a mix of 50-50 or any other ratio, for raw heat dispersion.
HOWEVER - and this is a big however - it does not have ANY lubricating properties. A proper mix of coolant help fight off corrosion inside the engine and it lubricates the water pump while doing it.
Most of us see the advantages of a 50-50 mix - it RAISES the boiling point of the water and it lowers the freezing point at the same time.
So - as mentioned - use a proper 50-50 mix with distilled water to help your engine stay healthy!
HOWEVER - and this is a big however - it does not have ANY lubricating properties. A proper mix of coolant help fight off corrosion inside the engine and it lubricates the water pump while doing it.
Most of us see the advantages of a 50-50 mix - it RAISES the boiling point of the water and it lowers the freezing point at the same time.
So - as mentioned - use a proper 50-50 mix with distilled water to help your engine stay healthy!
Short answer – 50/50 coolant mix which will includes additives for lubrication. 50/50 pre-mixed is readily available so you don't have to bother mixing your own.
Long answer - Pure water has low alkalinity, meaning it lacks the natural buffering capacity to resist pH fluctuations. Alkalinity is a measurement of the carbonate and bicarbonate levels in the water. As we purify our makeup water (i.e. distilled water) and lower its alkalinity, we reduce its natural ability to buffer pH changes. This sensitivity can lead to weak acids, like carbonic acid.
Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, which corrodes steel and low-alloy metals, potentially leading to pitting and leaks. While a greater concern in high-pressure systems, the formation of carbonic acid can also impact low-pressure environments, especially in ultra-pure water where pH buffering capacity is low.
Long answer - Pure water has low alkalinity, meaning it lacks the natural buffering capacity to resist pH fluctuations. Alkalinity is a measurement of the carbonate and bicarbonate levels in the water. As we purify our makeup water (i.e. distilled water) and lower its alkalinity, we reduce its natural ability to buffer pH changes. This sensitivity can lead to weak acids, like carbonic acid.
Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, which corrodes steel and low-alloy metals, potentially leading to pitting and leaks. While a greater concern in high-pressure systems, the formation of carbonic acid can also impact low-pressure environments, especially in ultra-pure water where pH buffering capacity is low.
I replaced a few of those engines. The books were wrong. Said to use water, so that's what people did. Then they froze and broke when it got real cold. Also tends to rust the cast iron. Use antifreeze, green stuff is perfectly fine. I typically buy it 50/50 premixed because it's easier and simpler than mixing it myself.
there was a sticker on the side of some of them that said "replace cooling water perfectly in cold season for preventing frozen". It didn't say nothing about coolant....
there was a sticker on the side of some of them that said "replace cooling water perfectly in cold season for preventing frozen". It didn't say nothing about coolant....