Paranoid Radiator Question

[harriw]

Hey guys,

Paranoid rookie question - I've got the radiator drained while changing a thermostat ('94 ext cab. 4x4, 5spd behind 4.0 w/ AC), and it's looking like it's going to be a multiple day project.

Any concern over leaving the radiator drained for a few days? It's not gonna start rusting over in there while it's empty for just a few days, right (I suppose I could fill it with distilled water while I'm not working on it, but that's just a pain)? How should I leave it while I'm not there working on it? Draincock and cap both closed, or leave one or the other open?

Thanks a lot guys.

-Bill

 

[martin]

It won't make much difference, as long as you don't leave any liquid in it that will freeze, if it's being left outside.

 

[86ford]

Filling it with water only WILL blow freeze plugs in the motor if it drops below freezing for any significant period of time. Motors sit on engine stands for YEARS with no coolant in them. I can not come up with a single concern with leaving it empty.

86

 

[Bent Bolt]

It's fine empty.

 

[harriw]

Excellent - thanks guys.

-Bill

 

[Nhaz]

Never use pure distilled water in a antifreeze system. ever. Good for batteries. bad for Engines => Heck tap water is better then distilled.

And you shouldn't use pure tap water either => Distilled water is more reactive then regular water since its had most of anything its allready reacted with it Removed in the distillation process. which makes it so it will start eating things it comes into contact with.

Like engines. Not quickly but definitely. The only thing you should put into your coolant system is coolant or premixed coolant.

 

[warrior24]

Hmm I don't always use distilled water but I thought you were supposed to use it. Here is what I found , now I am confused.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070521230644AAbCqcE