im currently trying to get my car up and running again and i was just wondering if i could run water through my radiator until i know i have it running then i could dump it and get some anti freeze.

so is this safe?

 

As long as you don't think your going to incur any freezing temperatures while there is water in it, you'll be fine. Most drag strips require anti-freeze replaced by water while cars are running on them, to prevent anti-freeze spills.

 

my biggest concern is the water rusting my radiator, its a new radiator and i dont want to replace it again

 

Use distilled water. The mineral content would be nil.

 

Just watch the TEMP, water heats up alot faster, as far as rust goes just pul the radiator hose off and let all drain engine to. it will dry. I just put some stop leak in for my head gasket in a explorer but you had to drain the antifreze and replace with water and run it then let it sit for about two days. all in all every think worked fine, no rust .

 

Actually water cools better than water/antifreeze. Antifreeze is really more for corrosion protection and sub freezing levels than it is for cooling.

 

yeah water will boil faster then antifreeze,id suggest putting some in it after u get it running but for the most part ull b fine.i wouldnt worry to much about it.and yeah i would suggest u use distilled also.

 

right now i have tap water in o.o

 

You'll be fine.

 

i wouldnt leave it for a long long period of time, but should be fine until you get it running, unless of course its been 3 months down the line and still not running

 

I ran my rad with straight water for a few weeks while working out minor bugs (most of which required pulling the rad or otherwise loosing coolant). No ill side effects now that I have a 15%/85% antifreeze/water mix, and even threw in a bottle of water wetter.