Mark G
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| posted on 16/12/08 at 08:44 PM |
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Using Steel and Ally in Cooling System
Hey,
I'm putting my hoses and pipes together to try and get my rad plumbed in. I have a fireblade engine which is ally and I'm planning on
using some steel pipes to go from the water pump to the rad and then from the rad to the stat.
I know that ally corodes if mated to a steel surface. Would I get any simailar issues by using these two in a cooling system together even though
they aren't actually touching?
Thanks
Mark
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nick205
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| posted on 16/12/08 at 08:50 PM |
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Provided you use decent antifreeze there shouldn't be any problems using steel in the cooling circuit. Peugeot for one use/used steel link
pipes in their cooling systems (albeit plated steel).
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Confused but excited.
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| posted on 16/12/08 at 08:51 PM |
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Don't recall seeing any posts about disintergrating header tanks, or alloy radiators used with engines with iron blocks. HTH.
Tell them about the bent treacle edges!
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Mark G
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| posted on 16/12/08 at 08:54 PM |
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Wonderful, Thanks chaps.
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Aico
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| posted on 16/12/08 at 08:55 PM |
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Like said use antifreeze or something like Water Wetter which stops the electrolis
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hornetV2
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| posted on 16/12/08 at 09:00 PM |
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You are correct that galvanic corrosion will occur if disimilar metals are submersed in water. However, you will probably find that some of the stubs
in the block that the hoses fit onto are made of steel. Furthermore, copper/brass is often used for radiators and the risk of corrosion is
consequently greater.
Consequently, the use of steel or copper tubing should not result in a corrosion problem.
As already stated above use anti-freeze which should have anti-corrosion additives in it, or alternatively if you do not want to use anti-freeze then
use "water-wetter" or similar which also contains anti-corrosion addtives.
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Mark G
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| posted on 16/12/08 at 09:28 PM |
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I figured the antifreeze would do the trick but just wanted to ask first before I made a horrible mush in the engine.
Thanks guys.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 17/12/08 at 10:50 AM |
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These days it is best to use OAT coolant in a new system --- longer life (4 to 5 years) and better corrosion protection. Also claimed to be better
for the tree huggers.
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DarrenW
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| posted on 17/12/08 at 12:23 PM |
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Personally i cant see a mixture of ally and steel pipes causing a major issue as long as they arent in contact with each other.
As an alternative option i got a kit from Mac#1 for my car that was a combination of ali pipes with flares pre-made and samco silicon hoses. I seem to
remember a post recently where people have used a cheap flaring tool from B&Q to make up ali pipes for cooling system. You will just need to
source ali tube and maybe see if local motor factors have a bin of hoses that you can select from to make up what you need if you dont want to use
steel.
My take on it is that whilst my tubes and hoses arent steel, the engine is. As long as car is correctly serviced and looked after it shouldnt cause
too many problems.
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