use tap or distilled water with coolant? what's required?

[66 Galaxie]

I usually use distilled and dealer just used tap water to dilute coolant when doing coolant change.
Anyone know what the service manual calls for?

[ZSHO]

The Manual only suggests using prediluted engine coolant meeting Fords spec's,and the coolant concentration should be between 48-50 %,any change in temp fluctation since performed? Motorcraft orange antifreeze/coolant prediluted should be used.  Z

[Vortech347]

Tap water is a pretty big no-no.  I'd be demanding that gets cleaned out.

[66 Galaxie]

The Manual only suggests using prediluted engine coolant meeting Fords spec's,and the coolant concentration should be between 48-50 %,any change in temp fluctation since performed? Motorcraft orange antifreeze/coolant prediluted should be used.  Z

That's what I saw in the OM too and am hoping someone has a service manual to see what it says.

[66 Galaxie]

Tap water is a pretty big no-no.  I'd be demanding that gets cleaned out.

That's what I'm thinking and am hoping actual service manual is specific enough I can quote them what Ford says to do.

[pmezo33]

I always buy distilled and mix it myself.  Never use tap.

[SHOdded]

Always distilled, never tap.  Tap water has an unknown chemistry and hence unknown influence on the coolant chemistry.  May be fine for an emergency, not for ongoing service.

For example, https://www.fordparts.com/Products/Chemicals-EngineProducts-Coolants.aspx :
Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant (Concentrated)
•Recommended by Ford Motor Company; meets warranty requirements
•Dark green-colored, longer-life, ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/coolant for use in gasoline engines
•Provides year-round antifreeze, anti-boil and corrosion protection
•A 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water provides freeze protection down to -34°F (-37°C) and boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C)
•Use only when specified ◦Use when Ford Specification WSS-M97B55-A is specified
◦Do not mix different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may harm your engine's cooling system. The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the warranty
◦Do not use this product in systems originally equipped with the fluorescent green-colored Motorcraft® Premium Antifreeze/Coolant, meeting Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A, or with the yellow-colored Motorcraft® Gold Antifreeze/Coolant, meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1, or with the orange-colored Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant, meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B44-D or -D2

•Meets or exceeds the requirements of WSS-M97B55-A and ASTM D 3306
•Contains a bittering agent
•Available in one-gallon bottles

http://paulmachenry.com/documents/CoolantFAQs.pdf

[66 Galaxie]

Checked a gallon jug and it says to mix with distilled water...

Since the service writer thinks water is water I'm going over his head and will work with the service manager on a resolution.

[BiGMaC]

Agree... Always distilled (not spring, but distilled) to avoid minerals that can scale up in the cooling components lowering both capacity and efficiency over time.... I mean look what happens to water heaters!

[ZSHO]

They do perform a pre system flush which consists of using TAP WATER mixed with the flush additive before adding the coolant,would just make certain what exactly was performed before raising some Hell IMO.  Z      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWIXa50R9bo

[66 Galaxie]

Service writer, who used to be a tech, said they always use tap water to dilute the concentrated coolant when filling the system because that's all they have and it's never been a problem. 

I'm just going to have a calm conversation with the service manager either on the phone or a quick visit.
Not planning to make an enemies as they have done good work in the past. My normal service writer was out sick so I got stuck with another writer there... In the future I will only use my regular service writer who cares about the little details


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[66 Galaxie]

Nice conversation with service manager and they will change the coolant out and do it the right way with distilled water. :-)


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[AJP turbo]

Service writer, who used to be a tech, said they always use tap water to dilute the concentrated coolant when filling the system because that's all they have and it's never been a problem. 




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Its never been a problem because dealerships typically only work on cars under warranty and cars that are just out ...older than 6-7 years people ending up taking their cars to joes garage.....its just not good practice to use tap water full of minerals and the problems wont rear their heads until years later.....dealerships are charging 85-110 bucks an hour...they want to charge top rate, then they should perform top service, no shortcuts...i can get short cuts from joes garage for 60 an hour or less   

[SHOdded]

Nice conversation with service manager and they will change the coolant out and do it the right way with distilled water. :-)

Glad to hear it, def want to keep that good relationship long-term

[66 Galaxie]

Also found out that a lot of dealers are using Coastal synthetic blend not Motorcraft but since Coastal makes Kendal which has been said to be rebranded as Motorcraft it is supposed to be the same basic oil.