A hot aluminium radiator retains a static voltage when hot. Even with ignition off. Test for yourself. Mine did on a Toyota REV 4.
I replaced the radiator,the core just fell out into pieces like " brittle" it's about eight years old. The right Toyota long life coolant
was used all the time, and distilled water, and I flush and replace it regularly every two years.
This is what an auto electrician told me, "static electricity electrolites (apparently) causes aluminium to deteriorate
faster during the years. A small earth wire screwed to a cooling fin discharges the radiator which is rubber mounted
and not earthed. It no longer holds a static charge now after fitting the earth wire. Engine running and off with hot radiator.
I have yet to believe that it makes any difference to the radiator condition over the years, causing it to fall apart.
The problem is usually caused by using the wrong coolant in aluminium radiators, this is not the case.
Any ideas, I am curious, thanks college of knowledge.
Aus-Kiwi said
12:39 AM Jun 22, 2014
This can be an issue if earths are not connected properly ..
Wombat 280 said
10:26 PM Jun 22, 2014
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
This can be an issue if earths are not connected properly ..
Agreed , Bad earthing is the most likely cause They tell me at the workshop that in new type vehicles the radiator tanks are plastic and if not grounded will be subject to wind induced static so over time they corrode . The radiator bolts are normally not into the metal body surrounds but into plastic inserts so are insulated from earth, they over came it with an earth wire to the under body metal work.
True or false?? It has me beat !
A hot aluminium radiator retains a static voltage when hot. Even with ignition off. Test for yourself. Mine did on a Toyota REV 4.
I replaced the radiator,the core just fell out into pieces like " brittle" it's about eight years old. The right Toyota long life coolant
was used all the time, and distilled water, and I flush and replace it regularly every two years.
This is what an auto electrician told me, "static electricity electrolites (apparently) causes aluminium to deteriorate
faster during the years. A small earth wire screwed to a cooling fin discharges the radiator which is rubber mounted
and not earthed. It no longer holds a static charge now after fitting the earth wire. Engine running and off with hot radiator.
I have yet to believe that it makes any difference to the radiator condition over the years, causing it to fall apart.
The problem is usually caused by using the wrong coolant in aluminium radiators, this is not the case.
Any ideas, I am curious, thanks college of knowledge.
Agreed , Bad earthing is the most likely cause They tell me at the workshop that in new type vehicles the radiator tanks are plastic and if not grounded will be subject to wind induced static so over time they corrode . The radiator bolts are normally not into the metal body surrounds but into plastic inserts so are insulated from earth, they over came it with an earth wire to the under body metal work.