Snow here in Sussex

[Richardtr3a]

The weather has changed and I am out in  the garage looking for my Bluecol. Will I be safe to use rain water or do I need to get out to Tesco and buy special water ? If  I use 50% water how much would be correct. 

I can not find the WSM so it is back to the forum. 

Please help Richard & B

[Lebro]

50% bluecol concentrate (not ready mixed) to 50% water. rain may be better than tap, but jury is out on that one !

Bob

[RogerH]

Hi Richard,

if you have any left over can you bring it over to Heathrow on the M25 it has just started snowing.

 

Roger

[Ian Vincent]

We’ve had snow all day. 

Rgds Ian

[Z320]

Any photos, please?

Edited December 11, 2022 by Z320

[Charlie D]

This any help Marco? 

[Ian Vincent]

38 minutes ago, Charlie D said:

This any help Marco? 

I don’t think he means that phot Charlie, he means this one. 
 

[Z320]

 good joke 

And a nice photo!

[ianc]

Make sure your rainwater is clean

But why not use tap water, which will be clean?  The TR won't object to the very small amount of chlorine which the water board adds for your safety.

Ian Cornish

[RobH]

The problem with tap water isn't chlorine - it's the dissolved 'chalk' in hard water areas as that will deposit out in the waterways. 

[Hamish]

If you use a dehumidifier use that water

[Crawfie]

2 minutes ago, Hamish said:

If you use a dehumidifier use that water

I have loads of “Princetown spring “ water from my dehumidifier. £1.99 a bottle !!

 

[roger murray-evans]

It's the wrong sort of snow of course. Was there ever a right sort?

Roger M-E

[Richardtr3a]

No dehumidifier here but we do have a rainwater tank in  the garden, currently frozen. I could bring some ice into the house. That would give me clean pure water tomorrow.

I will hunt for a  filtered funnel at lunchtime.  

Thanks Richard & B

[john.r.davies]

Here on the Cote de Morecambe Bay, today is bright, sunny - and snowless.   But an extra T-shirt or two, I think.

[John McCormack]

Sunny and 27 degC here!

[ianc]

Rob - although the dissolved limestone in hard tap water will get deposited inside the engine, one needs only about a gallon of water to mix with the anti-freeze, and that water will remain in the engine for a couple of years.  The amount of limestone in a single fill is therefore insignificant.

When folk used to put tapwater in the engine throughout the warmer months, and kept topping up with tapwater, engines used to get corroded and furred-up in hard water areas, just like the kettle.  Nowadays, sensible folk use an anti-freeze mixture all year round, and that inhibits corrosion.  After a couple of years, an anti-freeze mixture should pour out of the engine as a clean stream of liquid.

Ian Cornish

[RobH]

I don't think you realise just how much calcium there is in the water some areas Ian.  If I rinse drinking glasses under the tap and just leave them to dry, there are white patches left where each water drop has evaporated. It's greater than 300mg/litre here so a gallon could contain >1.5 grammes of it.  If you change the coolant every two years as you are supposed to, over 20 years  that will be 15 grammes of salts deposited in your engine. 

 

[DaveR]

23 minutes ago, RobH said:

I don't think you realise just how much calcium there is in the water some areas Ian.  If I rinse drinking glasses under the tap and just leave them to dry, there are white patches left where each water drop has evaporated. It's greater than 300mg/litre here so a gallon could contain >1.5 grammes of it.  If you change the coolant every two years as you are supposed to, over 20 years  that will be 15 grammes of salts deposited in your engine. 

 

I agree with Rob calcium is a problem in some areas. In this area if you rinse a car off with untreated tap water and leather it down it is covered with white patches. Emersion tanks fill up with high level of calcium. It can be a major problem unless you treat the tap water. As for car coolant is concerned I don't take any chances and use deionised water.

Dave

[john.r.davies]

There's another reason to live on the Costa del Morecambe!   Softest water in the UK - some would say softest heads too, but I couldn't possibly comment.

[james christie]

Few things are more infuriating for me than showering in artificially softened water. Getting the soap off is a nightmare!!

james

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

Soft water and soap! 
 

You’ll want warm fluffy towels next

Edited December 14, 2022 by BlueTR3A-5EKT

[james christie]

and why not at our age…..

[Ian Vincent]

We have a water softener and wouldn’t be without it. Prior to getting it installed it was a nightmare keeping the shower screen clean. 

Rgds Ian

[ianc]

We are in a hard water part of England, and have been using a softener for more than 30 years - wouldn't be without it.

Ian Cornish