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

Started by 66 Galaxie, February 29, 2016, 01:13:14 PM

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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?
'14 Flex Tuxedo Black ecoboost

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


2013 Performance Package SHO| Livernois Custom Methanol Tune|3-Bar Map|Reische-170-Stat|Full Race Tial-10psi BOV in Black|PPE-Gloss Black Hot Pipes|EPP Dual Intake in Gloss Black|PPE Catted DP|Corsa Sport Cat Back Exhaust|H&R Sport-Springs|CFM Performance Billet Valve Cover Breather In Gloss Black|Llumar 20%Ceramic window Tint|MSD Ignition Coils in Black|Extreme Roof Spoiler|Redline Fluids all around|Gearhead Intercooler|First-SHO With Direct Port Alky-VP-M1-100%-Methanol Injection|LMS-Custom-Dyno-Tuned @ 415whp-465wtq| Best Trap Speed of 115.54 mph|

Vortech347

Tap water is a pretty big no-no.  I'd be demanding that gets cleaned out.
Matt H.
2013 SHO Performance Pack, Daily, AJPTurbo tuned
2003 SVT Cobra 497rwhp/491rwtq, Self tuned, Cruiser
1990 Mustang GT 570rwhp/530twtq, Self tuned, Open Track
2017 F150 XLT 5.0

66 Galaxie

Quote from: ZSHO on February 29, 2016, 01:55:54 PM
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.
'14 Flex Tuxedo Black ecoboost

66 Galaxie

Quote from: Vortech347 on February 29, 2016, 02:09:33 PM
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.
'14 Flex Tuxedo Black ecoboost

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
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

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.
'14 Flex Tuxedo Black ecoboost

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!

•2013 Taurus SHO nonPP - All Ford factory options, 3BAR MAP, LMS v8 tune (mods for 3BAR, DPs, and T-stat), Paint & plastic correction, CQuart finest all exterior surfaces, limo black window tint,VLED Triton switchbacks, Daytime BrightLites switchback DRLs, full interior and exterior LED conversion, Lamin-X charcoal blackout tail lights and reflectors, PPE catted and coated downpipes, EBPP coated hotpipes with BoVs VTA, MDesign CAI
•2013 F250 CC Lariat 6.7EB Diesel -stock

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


2013 Performance Package SHO| Livernois Custom Methanol Tune|3-Bar Map|Reische-170-Stat|Full Race Tial-10psi BOV in Black|PPE-Gloss Black Hot Pipes|EPP Dual Intake in Gloss Black|PPE Catted DP|Corsa Sport Cat Back Exhaust|H&R Sport-Springs|CFM Performance Billet Valve Cover Breather In Gloss Black|Llumar 20%Ceramic window Tint|MSD Ignition Coils in Black|Extreme Roof Spoiler|Redline Fluids all around|Gearhead Intercooler|First-SHO With Direct Port Alky-VP-M1-100%-Methanol Injection|LMS-Custom-Dyno-Tuned @ 415whp-465wtq| Best Trap Speed of 115.54 mph|

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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'14 Flex Tuxedo Black ecoboost

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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'14 Flex Tuxedo Black ecoboost

AJP turbo

Quote from: 66 Galaxie on February 29, 2016, 05:13:04 PM
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. 




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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   
SCT Dealer/Custom Calibrator                        
Specializing in 3.5 Ecoboost   
Remote/email custom tuning including E85 blends 
Authorized retailer for all SCT devices. 
 
Former:2014 PP SHO
3 bar 93 tune, Airaid, Stainless Works non catted DP's  
405whp/520tq
Dyno
     
Current:2016 F150 2.7 Ecoboost
Tuning in progress

SHOdded

Quote from: 66 Galaxie on February 29, 2016, 05:46:51 PM
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 :thumb:
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

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.
'14 Flex Tuxedo Black ecoboost