electrolysis, Do I need a zinc anode installed

[ng8264723]

Has anyone done this on their Kirkham?

[RodKnock]

Yes, it's recommended and I have one.

[tcrist]

I believe anyone that has aluminum heads or radiator needs one. Mine is attached to the radiator cap.

[DSM351]

Wouldn't about every daily driver have aluminum heads and radiator, do they have sacrificial anodes? I think good grounding is probably the best prevention.

[FatBoy]

Can someone please explain.

I have a Kirkham and an iron block with ali heads, do I need a zinc thingy and if so, what do I do with it?

Paul

[RodKnock]

For $20, seems like cheap protection for your very expensive radiator from corrosion caused by disimilar metals. But what do I know.

Zinc Anodes for your cooling system

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Yes, it's recommended and I have one.

Does electrolysis occur even if water never flows through the radiator?

[mreid]

Electrolysis occurs when your coolant becomes acidic. Now you have a big battery with metal removed from one surface (typically your aluminum components) and deposited on another. Zincs are designed to be sacrificial, which assumes that electrolysis is present. If you don't want to eliminate the threat, I guess a zinc anode is a solution, but the correct solution is to eliminate the electrolysis. You do this through a good antifreeze with regular maintenance of your cooling system.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Does electrolysis occur even if water never flows through the radiator?

Well, that's a low blow.

Can you even eliminate all electrolysis via changing your antifreeze?

In fact, some say antifreeze is bad and just use distilled water.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Well, that's a low blow.

Can you even eliminate all electrolysis via changing your antifreeze?

In fact, some say antifreeze is bad and just use distilled water.

My experience has been no electrolysis, 10 years, using antifreeze. Ally rad and heads. Head water ports show no corrosion. Coolant (50/50 with distilled) comes out every three years. I pay a lot of attention to the grounds and they stay clean and tight.
Just not having a problem.

[mreid]

Keep the ph at 7.5 or better, ensure good grounds, and regular coolant replacement.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by mreid

Keep the ph at 7.5 or better, ensure good grounds, and regular coolant replacement.

So, I see you're checking the ph level of your car's coolant system, but more importantly, do you check the ph level of YOU?

[mreid]

Actually, and I'll sound like a real nerd in saying this, I do, er, I did. My well went dry last Christmas Eve! I had to get a new one drilled (260 feet and lots of water), but it had a trace of iron and a 5.9 ph. I installed a chemical injector to bring the ph up and an iron filter and have great water now, but had acid water for a month prior to installation. Also, given my fondness for margaritas of my own recipe (1 cup tequila, 1/2 cup Gran Marnier, 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice in a pitcher over ice makes three for me and two for the wife) and grapefruit juice in the morning, I got to thinking about how much acid I was consuming (of the non-Leary kind). It seemed like a lot and research showed it could be a problem. Wanting to rather give up water than tequila, I conducted a few experiments using my trusty swimming pool test strips and chem kit. Amazingly accurate those strips. I'll spare you the details, but let's just say that my low ph has been adjusted appropriately. God knows I wouldn't want any of my nibbly bits corroding due to electrolysis! No one wants leaky nibbly bits.