[Tigers] Antifreeze

[Steve Laifman]

Roland,

A good description of various antifreeze ingredients can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze

The "distilled" versus "deionized" water can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deionized_water

Basically, the difference is:
*
_Distilled wate_r* has virtually all of its impurities removed through distillation. Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean cup, leaving nearly all of the solid contaminants behind. Distillation produces very pure water but also leaves behind a leftover white or yellowish mineral scale, which requires that the *distillation apparatus* be frequently cleaned.


_*Deionized water*_ which is also known as demineralized water (DI water or de-ionized water; also spelled deionised water, see spelling differences) is water that has had its minerals removed, such as cations from sodium, calcium, iron, copper and anions such as chloride and bromide. Deionization is a physical process which uses specially-manufactured ion exchange resins which bind to and filter out the mineral salts from water. Because the majority of water impurities are dissolved salts, deionization produces a high purity water that is generally similar to distilled water quickly and without scale buildup. However, deionization does not significantly remove uncharged organic molecules, viruses or bacteria, except through "accidental" trapping by the resin. 

_*Distilled or deionized water*_ is preferable to tap water for use in automotive cooling systems. The minerals and ions typically found in tap water can be corrosive to internal engine components, and can cause a more rapid depletion of the anti-corrosion additives found in most antifreeze formulations.

Steve

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Steve Laifman
Editor - TigersUnited.com



CSX2282 wrote:
> As mentioned in a previous response, I use a mixture of 50/50% distilled
> water and antifreeze.
>
> One response I saw recommend the use of distilled rather than deioniozed
> water.  I have yet to see a description of the difference between the two or
> why one is preferable.  I'd be very interested in knowing what the
> difference is.  Also,  keep in mind that the instance you pour ion free
> water, of whatever type, into your cooling system, it will instantly become
> ionized.  These ions come from the various metals in your cooling system-
> copper (brass), aluminum and iron, etc.
>
> Roland