Thanks guys for all the help and advice recently. Engine is in and fully hooked up as of today. I want to start it tomorrow and begin burping the cooling system. I've done this before and it takes me a few days of driving the coach heat cycling it to get all the air out. My radiators have a slow leak when it's cold out. Like below freezing. Since my cooling system is drained, I was going to pull them and reseal now but I'm thinking I might do this in a cooler climate. It was 97°F here today with a heat index of 103°. It's just too hot to be wrestling radiators. I'd like to get on the road here and maybe tackle the rads when I finally get back north. Instead of messing around with 25 brand new gallons of Detroit powercool, can I just fill with distilled water and drive like that until I get to Pennsylvania?
Sure, so long as you don't shut it down, if you encounter late freezes, which is happening right now.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Just so its been said, the reason we don't run straight water in cooling systems is twofold - obviously preventing freezing is essential but coolant additives also prevent corrosion. Heat cycling is a pretty harsh environment that favours corrosion so you won't want to run it that way for long.
Add a couple cans of waterpump lubricant. You don't want to start developing rust. Nalcool may also work.
Chessie, will it mix with the red coolant?
Don't know. Best to contact mfg.
Color is not a reliable indicator of anything. Different companies are using different color standards.
You will need to know brand of red coolant for your inquiry.
Coolant yes is an anti-freeze, lubricator for the water pump AND a whetting agent that coats the metal to get better heat transfer. If you run straight water, there is a chance of overheating more likely than with coolant. With the amount of money, effort you've put into the new engine-why start scrimping now? Just put in the proper anti-freeze and not worry about it. Carry extra to top it off. When you do change the radiators, reuse the coolant-it is done all the time. Good Luck, TomC
Running distilled water right now for my leakdown tests and test runs. Coach runs amazing. Still working out some kinks but so far so really stinking good.