08-31-2015, 07:42 AM
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#1
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On the slippery slope
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
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Coolant poluted with tap water
Had to add approx 3 liters of tap water to my coolant tank due to a leak at the water pump while driving home
As I am about to change the water pump, do I need to flush and refill with new coolant/distilled water mix, or just add some more of the proper coolant?
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
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08-31-2015, 07:48 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 1,476
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Drain all you can and refill with fresh coolant and distilled water. tap water is conductive and has minerals. The coolant has inhibitors but since you are doing the job, don't half do it!
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08-31-2015, 07:49 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,261
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JayG
Had to add approx 3 liters of tap water to my coolant tank due to a leak at the water pump while driving home
As I am about to change the water pump, do I need to flush and refill with new coolant/distilled water mix, or just add some more of the proper coolant?
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You have diluted your coolant and introduced minerals with the tap water; as you are going to change the pump anyway, I would go with fresh coolant mixed with distilled water.
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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08-31-2015, 07:58 AM
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#4
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On the slippery slope
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
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I was pretty sure a drain and refill was the way to go
Thanks for the confirmation
Damn, that coolant is expensive! Was hoping to save the $150 for 3 gallons
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
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08-31-2015, 08:08 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,261
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JayG
I was pretty sure a drain and refill was the way to go
Thanks for the confirmation
Damn, that coolant is expensive! Was hoping to save the $150 for 3 gallons
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Look at the coolant cost this way: Go with fresh and distilled water and you don't have to think about it for another 5 years or so. On that basis, it is not expensive.
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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08-31-2015, 08:56 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 1,561
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If you want to save a little money, buy VW coolant.
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08-31-2015, 10:27 AM
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#7
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Multi-Boxer Driver
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 1,404
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Mercedes-Benz coolant is also a good choice, IMO. Retail comes as Zerex G-05, golden-colored.
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-Chris
2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7
1991 Porsche 911 C2 Targa 3.6
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
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08-31-2015, 11:30 AM
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#8
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There Is No Substitute.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Coast
Posts: 3,253
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It's $35 a gallon from Sunset Imports, versus $50 at most dealers. However, if you don't do a full flush you won't need as much. You will get about 3 gallons from the coolant drain plug (make sure to replace the crush washer), the other 2-3 gallons would require you to disconnect one of the heater core lines, and the lower radiator hoses (or you could jack the front of the car up higher than the rear as you drain it).
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1999 Ocean Blue Metallic Boxster - blueboxster.com
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08-31-2015, 07:59 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 246
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I have many friends who run regular tap water mixed with Prestone concentrate in their cars with absolutely no issues. Unless you live in a rural area where water is pumped from a well, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I believe Lotus manuals even say to use regular tap water.
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09-01-2015, 06:49 PM
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#10
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Certified Boxster Addict
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
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Flush and refill with OEM coolant and distilled water. Simple and guaranteed no risk.
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1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
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09-01-2015, 06:59 PM
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#11
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On the slippery slope
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,793
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to have to spend $150 on coolant is borderline criminal
I ain't gonna use anything except for distilled water. At Wallyworld, a buck a gallon.
For $3.00, it simply isn't worth it to use tap water
The new WP, thermostat and coolant came in today and I'm borrowing a airlift to fill her up after I replace the parts this weekend
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
Last edited by JayG; 09-01-2015 at 07:10 PM.
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09-01-2015, 07:55 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 1,843
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thstone
Flush and refill with OEM coolant and distilled water. Simple and guaranteed no risk.
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When I am flushing my cars, after draining the old fluid I fill the system with destilled water, run the engine until the thermostat opens, let it cool, drain (repeat..) until the water comes completely clean..
Thereafter, I fill it with a mix of the OEM coolant mixed with destilled water (never tap water).
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09-01-2015, 07:59 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 266
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My car has had non-Porsche (green) coolant in it for the past 50k miles. I recently did the WP and everything combo too, and chose to go with Prestone. Haven't had any problem so far.
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