Source of Radiator water

**IanG** · 2010/12/10, 08:07 AM

Hi

Can I use bottled water (Nestle Pure Life) for filling the radiator?

Otherwise, where is the best place to get water for the radiator?

**duncang** · 2010/12/10, 08:13 AM

A tap ?

**Apocalypse** · 2010/12/10, 08:16 AM

"the source of radiator water"

sounds like the new Tomb Raider movie!!!

is this a trick question?

you can use the tap. water from a stream. at a push muddy dam water will be okay!!

just put antifreeze in it if you are putting a significant amount in... top ups just plain old water....

I don't think even Rolls Royces get bottled water in their radiators!!!!

**KobusDJ** · 2010/12/10, 08:18 AM

I'm sure the purified water will be fine. Remember to keep the water/anti-freeze in the correct ratio.

I always use straight from the hosepipe (municipal supply).

A cooling system in good order, should not loose water.

**offroadrover** · 2010/12/10, 08:22 AM

Would there be an advantage to distilled water?

**Andre** · 2010/12/10, 08:37 AM

I always keep a 2L bottle of 50% anti freeze handy for top ups if and when needed. The water part is straight from the tap.

**IanG** · 2010/12/10, 08:39 AM

According to some well respected forum members you should use distilled water:
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...led#post573649
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/...led#post562442

Of course, having the correct ratio of antifreeze is important, probably more so than the water source. 50% a good ratio for SA?

**Apocalypse** · 2010/12/10, 08:46 AM

I seriously would not worry about using distilled water.

bottled water has minerals and salts in it ANYWAY - it's different to distilled water which is pure water....

Anti Freeze - you should check your manual, mostly glycol based anti freezes are the norm. 50% is usually recomended, not REALLY required here though... if it's a bit watered down it's not going to hurt, tops ups at the gargae from their oily old bucker has never harmed a car!!!

**Christo Davids** · 2010/12/10, 08:48 AM

Why not just buy the pre-mixed antifreeze for top-ups, i.e. already mixed in the correct ratio like tha caltex ones

**duncang** · 2010/12/10, 10:18 AM

PS , bottled water is filthy !!! Don't you believe You magazine ?

**Frans** · 2010/12/10, 12:25 PM

My late Father only used rain water from the water tank, as it did not contain Chlorine. But, then, his '46 Chev Fleetmaster did not use antifreeze either.....

**Berty** · 2010/12/10, 01:03 PM

hmm, I use rain water, but i dont have municipal. Its out of a borehole, and leaves heavy scale on anything hot.

Basically clean water, and try not to mix different antifreezes.
I have uses premix, it just gets expensive.....