'Lo, Volks
Having read the excerpt from Prestone's pitch re the use of phosphate
free coolant in Europe because of  "the high mineral content" and that
"we do not have this type of water problem (in North America)". Lest we
think that high mineral content does not exist in NA, it can and does
(exist). Water is a great property in that it has the ability to hold
and carry properties other than its own makeup of  hydrogen and oxygen.
The simplist example is how it works with soap. Another is how moving
water carries sediment. Anyway, water "takes on" whatever it can, if
present and this includes minerals. I don't know anything about European
water quality, but I do know that water quality in NA can vary greatly
from location to location and that somtimes includes highly mineralized
water. In other words, water quality can vary greatly and may or may not
contain minerals to varying levels, even in North America. The point of
this diatribe is to not assume that the water you use is low in minerals
or free of them. IMHO, the use of distilled water in a wasserboxer is
the way to go. If I go with the spendy VW coolant (and I do) then why
not go with distilled water too?

Kit Carter, 85 Westy GL
Old certified water treatment operator

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