N52 coolant refresh, where can I get distilled water?

[Meds]

Hey guys..
I'm planning a cooling system refresh on the Coupe in a few weeks.
The water pump and thermostat have arrived, as has the mickey mouse flange.
I need to acquire coolant and distilled water, where on earth can you get distilled water from locally? Like Halfords, B&Q etc ?
Haldords sell de-ionised which I believe is acidic and for batteries, not for coolant mixtures.

What are other folk doing?

 

[patriot66]

I bought this distilled water from Amazon last year Distilled Water - Pure Chem (White) 5L https://amzn.eu/d/3McHfRj

 

[Meds]

Thanks for that, a shame I cannot get local.
I'll order, thanks.
Reality check: Holy moly, £45 just on fluids.. Ouch. :lol:

 

[Pondrew]

If you are changing the coolant, why not just get ready mixed? It's a lot quicker and easier.
I think G48 is right for your car. 5 litres in Halfrauds is £21.00.

Just done the job on my daughter's Mini (as the thermostat housing cracked). PITA job. Good luck!

 

[Meds]

I thought about pre-mixed.
I need just over 10ltrs so it will still be over £42 and then another litre for topping off.
Yeah, i'm not looking forward to it, a good few hours on my back eating coolant I expect.

 

[B21]

Deionised water is perfectly acceptable for use in coolant systems..from an engine perspective either distilled or deionised are on parity

 

[Meds]

Deionised water is perfectly acceptable for use in coolant systems..from an engine perspective either distilled or deionised are on parity

Fantastic.!
I read in a few places it was bad as it was acidic, or something. I can get that local which is always a bonus.

 

[B21]

Deionised water is perfectly acceptable for use in coolant systems..from an engine perspective either distilled or deionised are on parity

Fantastic.!
I read in a few places it was bad as it was acidic, or something. I can get that local which is always a bonus.

No deionised water is neutral Ph..it’s not recommended for drinking purposes as it may have adverse affect on body chemistry..however for ICE coolant purposes it’s the de facto water of choice to be mixed with normal antifreeze products.

 

[Pondrew]

No deionised water is neutral Ph.

And is free if you stick your a/c on for days and leave a bucket under the car to collect it!

Still think ready mixed is much easier!

 

[Special Kay]

I always under the impression that the water from a heat pump dryer was distilled.

 

[kis]

Sure it's the same if your have an indoor dehumidifier as well

 

[enuff_zed]

What about the water captured in a condensing tumble dryer?

 

[2k35is]

Sure it's the same if your have an indoor dehumidifier as well

Save mine in 5 litre containers to mix windscreen washers. No sludge blockage since 2007#

 

[Meds]

Sure it's the same if your have an indoor dehumidifier as well

Save mine in 5 litre containers to mix windscreen washers. No sludge blockage since 2007#

Slugdy green/black washer bottle (although no blockage, yet), that's next on the list!

 

[Nick W]

All of the big Supermarkets and places like Halfords do it for around £2.50 / 5 litres but I'm with Pondrew and would stick to ready mixed.

 

[smorris_12]

I thought no one was going to get there! As Nick says, Asda, the Range, Tesco, etc etc.

I resent buying diluted anything so hunted distilled out when I did the water pump.

 

[enuff_zed]

Just be careful and make sure you pick up distilled and not di sparkling

 

[MikeyH]

What's wrong with tap water, was okay years ago. Or rain water, we get loads of that in Devon for free :rofl:

 

[smorris_12]

What's wrong with tap water, was okay years ago.

If it's a soft water area, nothing. In hard water areas it can coat the inside of everything, narrowing pipework and reducing radiator convection in extreme cases.

BMW's schedule technically just calls for checking antifreeze concentration and topping up as necessary so it oughtn't ever be a problem.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

Hey guys..
I'm planning a cooling system refresh on the Coupe in a few weeks.
The water pump and thermostat have arrived, as has the mickey mouse flange.
I need to acquire coolant and distilled water, where on earth can you get distilled water from locally? Like Halfords, B&Q etc ?
Haldords sell de-ionised which I believe is acidic and for batteries, not for coolant mixtures.

What are other folk doing?

If you use BMW coolant you can use tap water, though check with your supplier if concerned. Price is about the same as the other options and quantity is smaller, so less waste.

Minimum requirements for water quality:

Appearance: colourless, clear
Sediment, without suspended matter
pH value: 6.5-8.0
Total hardness, max.: 20° dH (German hardness grade) or in new unit of measurement:
Total hardness, max.: 3.6 mmol Ca 2+/ltr.
Chloride content: max. 100 mg/l
Sulphate content: max. 100 mg/l

Trade name
AD Original AD 48         
AlpineC48
Antifreeze HD G11 K
Aral Antifreeze Extra
AVIA Antifreeze APN
AWM G11
BMW Antifreeze
Engmans Super Antifreeze and Coolant
Glycostar ST48
GLYSANTIN® G48®
Kuttenkeuler Antifreeze ANF KK48
LUKOIL COOLANT PLUS
MAINTAIN FRICOFIN
Radiocool NF
Zerex G48®
Valvoline OEM Advanced 48