tap water in coolant!!!
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tap water in coolant!!!
Hi,
I know you should always use deionised water (I think its battery water, or maybe thats distilled water I dont remember) in the coolant system, however, I was in a situation where only tap water was available.
Anyway, after that I didn't use the RX7 FD for 6 years....what I want to know is would there been alot of corrosion generated by leaving the tap water in the system even though I didn't actually use the car?
thanks for any help.
I know you should always use deionised water (I think its battery water, or maybe thats distilled water I dont remember) in the coolant system, however, I was in a situation where only tap water was available.
Anyway, after that I didn't use the RX7 FD for 6 years....what I want to know is would there been alot of corrosion generated by leaving the tap water in the system even though I didn't actually use the car?
thanks for any help.
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You've had it sit static for 6 years in a motor and had no problems? This is what he's asking.
I foresee giant chunks of iron blowing through the coolant passages, clogging up stuff and maybe even taking out the water pump if the engine is actually just started w/o a good back flush.
I foresee giant chunks of iron blowing through the coolant passages, clogging up stuff and maybe even taking out the water pump if the engine is actually just started w/o a good back flush.
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Hmmm, ok so it's probably not a good thing. Remedies anybody??
Backflush...what's that, do you mean flush the system with some Radflush stuff from Halfords? Will that do the job ok?
I am just about to change the oil, do you think it's necessary to renew the oil filter? The car had this done in the shop a few hundred miles before I stopped using the FD but it was a looong time ago...
I am also renewing the HT leads n plugs aswell, it's been a bit reluctant to kick into life.
Backflush...what's that, do you mean flush the system with some Radflush stuff from Halfords? Will that do the job ok?
I am just about to change the oil, do you think it's necessary to renew the oil filter? The car had this done in the shop a few hundred miles before I stopped using the FD but it was a looong time ago...
I am also renewing the HT leads n plugs aswell, it's been a bit reluctant to kick into life.
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#8
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Hmmm, ok so it's probably not a good thing. Remedies anybody??
Backflush...what's that, do you mean flush the system with some Radflush stuff from Halfords? Will that do the job ok?
I am just about to change the oil, do you think it's necessary to renew the oil filter? The car had this done in the shop a few hundred miles before I stopped using the FD but it was a looong time ago...
I am also renewing the HT leads n plugs aswell, it's been a bit reluctant to kick into life.
Backflush...what's that, do you mean flush the system with some Radflush stuff from Halfords? Will that do the job ok?
I am just about to change the oil, do you think it's necessary to renew the oil filter? The car had this done in the shop a few hundred miles before I stopped using the FD but it was a looong time ago...
I am also renewing the HT leads n plugs aswell, it's been a bit reluctant to kick into life.
#9
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change everything dude, take no risks with something thats been sitting for 6 years. mine had been sitting for 3 years and i drained everything and replaced all the hoses
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I would change the oil, oil filter, flush the cooling system real real real good and possibily flush some sort of cleaning solution threw the cooling system. change the plugs, change the FUEL AND FILTER, if theres any rotted rubber lines change them at least the ones that have pressure. Can i ask y would you not drive a perfectly good FD for 6 years?
well shortly before I stopped using the FD I discovered that it probably needed a rebuild due to an O ring failure (check my other posts). I didn't have the money to do this or run the car anymore, insurance is expensive, petrol expensive etc etc etc.
I bought a motorbike to get around London on, as I only spent most of my time in traffic jams when I was driving the FD anyway!!
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but as with any vehicle that's sat for that long, u'll need to flush the cooling system. also wouldn't hurt to have the radiator cleaned too just to eliminate it as a problem area when u do start driving it again.
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Hi guys thanks for the input, I will get onto it...
well shortly before I stopped using the FD I discovered that it probably needed a rebuild due to an O ring failure (check my other posts). I didn't have the money to do this or run the car anymore, insurance is expensive, petrol expensive etc etc etc.
I bought a motorbike to get around London on, as I only spent most of my time in traffic jams when I was driving the FD anyway!!
well shortly before I stopped using the FD I discovered that it probably needed a rebuild due to an O ring failure (check my other posts). I didn't have the money to do this or run the car anymore, insurance is expensive, petrol expensive etc etc etc.
I bought a motorbike to get around London on, as I only spent most of my time in traffic jams when I was driving the FD anyway!!
haha, bought a motor bike. thats great! i never been to london its kinda far away lol but it does seem like everything moves slow there and everyone has them motor bikes. what are u planning to do with the FD sell it?
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Any car that has been sitting for 6 years is going to have a lot of issues. See the link below for an idea. While it is geared towards 2nd gens, almost all of it applies to all generations of RX-7.
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm
Tap water should be OK due to the additives standard in all coolants. But still not recommended. That said, I almost always just use tap water.
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm
Tap water should be OK due to the additives standard in all coolants. But still not recommended. That said, I almost always just use tap water.
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HaHa, moves slow......more like the opposite, it's similar to your New York. The only people that ride motorcycles here are either couriers or city workers commuting due to the morning congestion or the full up trains/tubes. It's not like Vietnam where absolutely everyone rides bikes..nooo lol
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Any car that has been sitting for 6 years is going to have a lot of issues. See the link below for an idea. While it is geared towards 2nd gens, almost all of it applies to all generations of RX-7.
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm
Tap water should be OK due to the additives standard in all coolants. But still not recommended. That said, I almost always just use tap water.
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm
Tap water should be OK due to the additives standard in all coolants. But still not recommended. That said, I almost always just use tap water.
#17
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SOFT tap water can actually be better, assuming you are using a 50/50 mixture with a good quality antifreeze like prestone.
Mainly because the inhibitor packages in modern coolants are designed to use tap water. Softer is better because it removes the minerals while keeping it stable.
People use distilled water, which is also fine. But actually can use up the inhibitors in the glycol faster, because it is not as chemically inert as soft water.
If you are using just water with an additive like water wetter. Then it is a whole different discussion.
Mainly because the inhibitor packages in modern coolants are designed to use tap water. Softer is better because it removes the minerals while keeping it stable.
People use distilled water, which is also fine. But actually can use up the inhibitors in the glycol faster, because it is not as chemically inert as soft water.
If you are using just water with an additive like water wetter. Then it is a whole different discussion.
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Haha, this is starting to sound more lie a Chemistry lesson....where would I find soft water??
And Mr Cake, thanks for the link, very informative. With regards to putting some oil down the spark plug holes prior to starting it, I've read that people use 2 stroke or 2 cycle oil, but would normal 10w 40 do?
And Mr Cake, thanks for the link, very informative. With regards to putting some oil down the spark plug holes prior to starting it, I've read that people use 2 stroke or 2 cycle oil, but would normal 10w 40 do?
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We never see anything below zero as far as temps go in the Metroplex area (DFW), so I personally only go with 30 glycol/70 water for the RX-7's...since the vert 'Bird is a V8 and different altogether in cooling characteristics, it runs Water Wetter, 15% glycol, 85% water. Water is more efficient than glycol in transferring heat and the traditional Pontiac big cube V8 gets freakin' hot even with a 4 core monster radiator and no AC in Texas. One of these days, I'll convert it to the Evan's stuff.
#20
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To be honest i ran a 30/70 for a while too. The only downside is you have less corrosion inhibitors. Thus, you should change it more often. Water is more efficient than glycol yes but it is also more efficient at causing corrosion
If i were to run anything less than 50/50 again i would somehow use deionized water. (not readily available).
I am converting my RX7 to evans as well. There are soooo many up sides for rotary engines. Not the least of which is being able to run a 1-3 psi cap.
From someone who has a water softener in their house. I get mine right out of my laundry sink...
If i were to run anything less than 50/50 again i would somehow use deionized water. (not readily available).
I am converting my RX7 to evans as well. There are soooo many up sides for rotary engines. Not the least of which is being able to run a 1-3 psi cap.
From someone who has a water softener in their house. I get mine right out of my laundry sink...
Last edited by mar3; 02-13-10 at 01:00 PM. Reason: Merged back-to-back posts...
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#23
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Haha, this is starting to sound more lie a Chemistry lesson....where would I find soft water??
And Mr Cake, thanks for the link, very informative. With regards to putting some oil down the spark plug holes prior to starting it, I've read that people use 2 stroke or 2 cycle oil, but would normal 10w 40 do?
And Mr Cake, thanks for the link, very informative. With regards to putting some oil down the spark plug holes prior to starting it, I've read that people use 2 stroke or 2 cycle oil, but would normal 10w 40 do?
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Hi guys thanks for the input, I will get onto it...
well shortly before I stopped using the FD I discovered that it probably needed a rebuild due to an O ring failure (check my other posts). I didn't have the money to do this or run the car anymore, insurance is expensive, petrol expensive etc etc etc.
I bought a motorbike to get around London on, as I only spent most of my time in traffic jams when I was driving the FD anyway!!
well shortly before I stopped using the FD I discovered that it probably needed a rebuild due to an O ring failure (check my other posts). I didn't have the money to do this or run the car anymore, insurance is expensive, petrol expensive etc etc etc.
I bought a motorbike to get around London on, as I only spent most of my time in traffic jams when I was driving the FD anyway!!
In any case, since the engine needs a rebuild all of that will get sorted out. Change all coolant hoses that are questionable and use distilled water and fresh antifreeze when the engine goes back in.
Dave
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The damage to the cooling passages will not be a big deal compared to the damage caused if there was coolant laying in the combustion chamber all this time.
In any case, since the engine needs a rebuild all of that will get sorted out. Change all coolant hoses that are questionable and use distilled water and fresh antifreeze when the engine goes back in.
Dave
In any case, since the engine needs a rebuild all of that will get sorted out. Change all coolant hoses that are questionable and use distilled water and fresh antifreeze when the engine goes back in.
Dave