Electrolysis solution?
 

Would running a #10 ground wire from radiator to frame help prevent electrolysis?

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Maybe, you can also buy sacrificial anodes to stop destruction.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Here's a good read on Electrolysis > http://sancarlosradiator.com/electrolysis.htm

and > http://www.voltage-drop.com/

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Pete read the articles and did not know about the "flushing machine" as described, is this a machine that most radiator shops would have; if so on my way way over to nearest radiator shop.
I see no mention of "grounding" as a solution to my problem and will abandon that idea.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Good read on 'Flushing' > http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/VoltageDrop/flush.htm

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

At any given time, greater San Antonio TX might have one radiator shop that can repair a copper/brass radiator or do a recore job. I've seen 5 go away in the last twenty years and even then there was no more than one operating at any given time. Now days, a radiator shop is a store that sells aftermarket plastic/aluminum radiators for modern makes & models.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Electrolysis, or stray voltage? Two different issues. Not trying to be pedantic but words mean things. Dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte produce a weak current, this is to be avoided but bonding jumpers won't help here. Stray voltage is an interesting issue and can cause strange problems. Even static buildup can cause difficult problems to diagnose and result in expensive repairs.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Given the price of heads etc, I think anything we can do is cheap insurance...I personally run a 50% antifreeze mix, sacrificial anodes, numerous earth straps, even one of those rubber earth straps onto the ground to prevent static build up.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Does the anode go in the radiator?

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Easiest way is to fit zinc pencils into 3/8 NPT plugs, [they'll look like temp gauge sender units], and screw them in the heads opposite the temp senders

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Google BoatZinks.com and they will have what you need. I have a zink in each head. They make a brass plug that will screw into your head and is threaded for thier zink. They come in several configurations.
Regards, Don

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Your radiator is already grounded by being bolted to the frame. The electrolysis being discussed is an electro-chemical reaction and not related to the electrical circuitry of the car.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Found an anode that screws into the the bottom of radiator where drains go, ordered two.
Thanks for the help guys.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Went there and says "domain for sale?"

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Try a radiator cap called a "Rad Cap". It comes with the sacrificial anode attached.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Tried one but wouldn't fit my '36 radiator.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Previous to this thread Id seen a few talking about the galvanic corrosion but didn't realize it was this prevalent? Do most Flatty's experience this? Mine was built 5 yr's ago, I have a Brass-works radiator solid copper and brass. aluminum heads, never really thought much about it. From reading things suggested it sounds like the electrolytic corrosion hit's the least noble metal so the sacrificial anode's the weakest link? Thinking as the radiator is brass / copper it's pretty tough so the aluminum heads are the weak point needing protection. I'm deducing the anode which fit in the threaded hole for temp sensors would be the best bet?

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Any pictures of this stuff ? Thanks guys. And, how do aluminum radiators figure into all this? mike

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Go to Flex-a-lite 32060

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

This company has a good price on them.


https://www.rotometals.com/flex-a-li...4-npt-x-1-3-4/

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Aluminum heads and radiators are most susceptible to be eaten away by electrolysis....

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Because ... (surprise!) dissimilar metals - in this case, steel or brass, copper, aluminum in the presence of an electrolyte - water, engine coolant, etc, makes a weak electrical current. A battery. This is exactly how a battery works, in fact. Ideally two elements from the far end of the reactance scale - Carbon and Zinc for example, were used for a long time.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Here's another alternative: http://www.no-rosion.com/norosioncoolant.htm

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Yeah, 4dFord, really good stuff but kind of spendy. It's what I use in my '34 to protect my aluminum heads....

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Word of caution on NO-ROSION. I used this product with straight water and a water wetter "Purple Ice" and this was the result.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

I was using NO ROSION with antifreeze and that picture in another post scared me. Drained it out. I think I will change anti freeze more often and maybe an anode.

John

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

How do modern cars with aluminum heads and iron blocks deal with corrosion?

John

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

The more traditional alternative: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

WOW! Never saw anything like that when I removed my heads. My block was a clean as a whistle. You must have had something else going on there to form all of that crud....

BTW - I'm using reverse-osmosis drinking water with no other additives other than the No- Rosion in my cooling system....

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

I don't believe Purple Ice and NO-ROSION are compatible.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

This stuff works.
http://www.no-rosion.com/norosioncoolant.htm

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Research No-Rosion.com for what might be the easiest thing to do. I use it in a few of my cars. Haven't had the heads off of the one with aluminum heads to see if it works. But I've had no issues in 15 years.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

Here's a new idea. Cut a piece of clear hose, slide 2 anodes inside, close both ends with a tie wrap, attach it to bottom of radiator cap with copper wire and insert in radiator top tank. Clear hose with anodes lays on top of radiator tubes. I installed one anode made of zinc and another made of magnesium to see which corrodes faster. I believe it will be the magnesium anode after referring to the Electrolysis Chart. Also read that magnesium anodes work better in fresh water and zinc works better in salt water. Will be interesting to see what happens. Radiator is 18 year old Walker. Cap is 10 lb. Walker. Heads were installed in 1999 and never taken off since. (Glad I used head bolts, not studs.)

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

From what I have read, the anode must be electrically connected to the metal it is to protect. Maybe someone can verify or dispute?

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

I have used "No-Rosion" for the last 10 years and have never had a problem with any vehicle it was in. I certainly never saw it do what was shown in a previous post. I believe "36tudordeluxe" might be right that there is a compatibility problem with "Purple Ice".

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

40cpe: I thought that the liquid in the radiator acted as the electrolyte solution between the anode (zinc or magnesium) and the aluminum heads (cathode).

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

I'm certainly no authority, but I Googled it to satisfy my curiosity and found a couple of references to being electrically attached to the metal. If you don't find any info I'll send you some links.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

If you buy a modern anti-freeze like Pentofrost (the purple/lavender stuff in a lot of German cars) it is specifically formulated to not cause corrosion, it lasts years and years, and it won't kill your dog.

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

I went to the 'Pentofrost' website (http://www.pentosin.net/f_antifreeze.asp) and was not able to find a list of "Where To Buy" locations???

Re: Electrolysis solution?
 

I just Googled "Pentofrost".Autozone carries it.

https://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j...oxP1obW28DKurK