Radiator/coolant question.

[Posco]

Will distilled water blend with coolant if added in with coolant already existing in the tractor? I hope I'm asking the question with enough clarity.

[Eugene]

Water, distilled or tap, will mix with antifreeze already in the radiator.

[Don McCombs]

Yes. But, it will not happen as fast as in a system with a water pump.

[Posco]

Thank you, guys. I thought I read somewhere where water would not blend with coolant already in the radiator. I can see where a water pump would make a difference but I wasn't sure about the thermal syphon. I didn't want to cook my tractor. Thanks again

[Jim Becker]

How much water are you adding? If you are adding a little, OK. If you filled it half way with antifreeze and intend to follow that up with an equal amount of water, don't do it. The antifreeze is heavier and may stay in the bottom of the system while the water on top boils because it can't circulate. Premix it then dump it in.

[Posco]

How much water are you adding? If you are adding a little, OK. If you filled it half way with antifreeze and intend to follow that up with an equal amount of water, don't do it. The antifreeze is heavier and may stay in the bottom of the system while the water on top boils because it can't circulate. Premix it then dump it in.

I topped it off tonight and it took about a half a gallon of distilled water. I was concerned that it took so much. I think I'll drain the radiator and make sure it's blended. Thanks for the input.

[Frozenstate]

Some claim you shouldn't use distilled water for coolant. The theory is that distilled water is "hungry" and is looking for metal and other things and can eat away at a block. You should just use good clean water.

[radioguy41]

or 50/50 pre-mix anti-freeze/coolant.

[Posco]

Some claim you shouldn't use distilled water for coolant. The theory is that distilled water is "hungry" and is looking for metal and other things and can eat away at a block. You should just use good clean water.

The water in our area is very 'hard' and it clogs a lot of pipes. I guess my safest bet is to go with a premix. Thanks for all of the input, folks.

[Eugene]

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=66038

Above a discussion on premixing antifreeze or not.

My opinion since Posco didn't tell us what he did. If he installed the antifreeze first then the water on top, I would just drive the tractor around for a while. This should agitate the coolant enough to mix. Some mixing will occur when the water is added. Besides that, it's warm weather, not gonna freeze.

OK. Another which oil to use.

[Posco]

http://www.farmallcub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=66038

Above a discussion on premixing antifreeze or not.

My opinion since Posco didn't tell us what he did. If he installed the antifreeze first then the water on top, I would just drive the tractor around for a while. This should agitate the coolant enough to mix. Some mixing will occur when the water is added. Besides that, it's warm weather, not gonna freeze.

OK. Another which oil to use.

Beating a dead horse? Believe it or not, I did attempt a check of the archives before posting my question. I guess my detective skills leave something to be desired.

As best I recall, I initially loaded the tractor with a 50/50 premixed blend. I work the tractor year-round. I plow snow with it in the winter and use it at my land during the summer hauling logs and grading road. My best bet would probaly be to stick with a preblended mix and keep it topped off that way.

[Jim Becker]

Some claim you shouldn't use distilled water for coolant. The theory is that distilled water is "hungry" and is looking for metal and other things and can eat away at a block. You should just use good clean water.

The water in our area is very 'hard' and it clogs a lot of pipes. I guess my safest bet is to go with a premix. Thanks for all of the input, folks.

I've heard the story about "hungry" water as well, never from a reliable source. Anyway, antifreeze has a bunch of rust preventers that should take care of it.

By the way, Prestone says their heavy duty premix "is a blend of antifreeze/coolant concentrate and demineralized water ". Demineralized and distilled are not the same (Demineralized costs less.) But both have free ions and suspended minerals removed, which seem like the relevant factors regarding corrosion and deposits.