$1000 Coolant Change Part 2 The Answer

[grsthegreat]

then there is always the people that say NEVER use distilled water in aluminum radiators...
Distilled water in aluminum radiator, yes or no? - LS1TECH

and i was reading about something called "hungry water theory" . its all over the internet about distilled water and radiators. http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2279784/the-hungry-water-theory


so now i'm all at a loss as usual.


all i lknow is i have 20 yr old vehicles running great..never overheating and all ive ever used is tap water.

 

[orezok]

Here is only other thing that could possibly, although much less likely, be
the cause of all of this as well. Electrolysis can also cause the metal to
be attacked, while keeping degradation acids low. If there is a poor
electrical system ground somewhere and the coolant becomes conductive, then
this type of aluminum corrosion will not take long to occur. I'm sure the
dealer may have checked this, or if not it would be helpful to eliminate
the possibility. Any reading over .2 volts in the coolant cause be
considered harmful.

This one is easy to check and I do it regularly on all my vehicles. If you are not familiar with the process here's how to do it. Using a quality VOM set on DC Volts, place one probe in the coolant while NOT touching any part of the radiator. Touch the other probe to the negative battery post. If it reads more than .2 Volts, you have a problem.

 

[BeezFun]

so now i'm all at a loss as usual.

Yeah, after reading this thread I think I'll stop drinking Perrier and put it in my tractor.

 

[orezok]

Yeah, after reading this thread I think I'll stop drinking Perrier and put it in my tractor.

May not be a good idea as Perrier is mineral water with 500PPM of total dissolved solids. i.e. moderately hard water.

 

[applepicker]

This one is easy to check and I do it regularly on all my vehicles. If you are not familiar with the process here's how to do it. Using a quality VOM set on DC Volts, place one probe in the coolant while NOT touching any part of the radiator. Touch the other probe to the negative battery post. If it reads more than .2 Volts, you have a problem.

There are two kinds of electrolysis:

1. Due to a faulty ground.

2. Due to different metals.

If you have .2 v or above, disconnect battery and measure again. If the voltage is gone then you have #1 above. If it is present you
have #2.

It may take 1-2 minutes for your digital meter to final come to a steady reading. Many auto manufacture say anything below 0.3v is acceptable.

I have a weak type 2 electrolysis but under 0.1 v and goes away when battery is disconnected. Be sure to use a DIGITAL METER.

 

[skyhook]

Just remove the rad altogether.