Subject: Antifreeze
Post by: John Ellis on June 28, 2006, 08:47:47 PM
In another topic on "Chassis Registry" I discovered that antifreeze solution was considered an option on my build card.
I found it odd that antifreeze radiator fluid would be an option for our cars, but looking at the owner's manual, radiator antifreeze solutions were recommended for winter use only. The solutions were 85% Glycerine, Alcohol, Dixol, and Glysanthine (or warm blankets!).
With regard to antifreeze solutions and the our engines, frequent fluid changes may be warranted. Here is an exerpt from an article on antifreeze solutions by Larry Carley
Quote
Periodic coolant changes are especially important with today's bimetal engines and aluminum radiators and heater cores because the different metals create a miniature battery cell that promotes electrolytic corrosion. Aluminum becomes the sacrificial anode, iron the cathode, with the coolant serving as the charge-carrying electrolyte.
The higher the percentage of dissolved minerals and salts in the coolant, the better it conducts electricity and the faster the aluminum is eaten away. As long as the corrosion inhibitors are working, the process is held in check. But once they're used up, corrosion starts to eat away. The most vulnerable components are usually the thinnest, which include the radiator and heater core.
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr110046.htm (
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr110046.htm)
In some of our cars we have bimetal engines, with aluminum heads and cast iron blocks.
