Does anyone know about installing a 1inchx1inch piece of anode in the radiator so the anode will get all the corrosion and not your aluminum parts, i just read this in the last HOTROD magazine i read, it was a little column towards the back in the tips section

 

I thought aluminum didn't corrode isn't the anode for copper radiators

 

Aluminum is very prone to corrosion, magnesium is even worse.
The tip i was refering to is on page 118 of Jan Hot Rod magazine, it was called "prestone witerizing tips", protect your heads, intakes and anything else aluminum.
I build and instruct on building Helicopters, aluminum corrosion is a very big deal...all you need is 2 different metals and water exposure and you are on you way to destruction

 

Sounds logical....something similar to installing zinc plates on the underwater running gear of a boat, to attract electrolysis. The plates deteriorate instead of the running gear. Same principle as a anode installed in a hot water heater.

 

Something to look into!

 

I plan on rattling mine apart before it corrodes!

 

Dave, could you scan the article? I'm interested to know ore about this. I figured the corrosion was simply aluminum oxidation, caused by exposure to water and air.

 

If all the right elements are present, electrolysis will take it's toll rather quickly.
Anyway, something to look into.

 

Wait a minute. I always thought aluminum DOES corrode, but the aluminum oxide is even harder than the aluminum itself and also very durable, so the aluminum oxide layer actually protects the aluminum?

 

who cares.

 

here is the tip in HR mag, hopefully it works, last time i tried to scan and post it would not let me upload thatr type of file, maybe i'm doing something wrong...Oh well still wont work, it is telling me i cant uplkoad that type of file, it is a jpg?????

 

The oxide does protect it to a point, that is the theory to anodizing, or alodine treating or plating, it is just a protective measure, same with different primers and paint, take away a component to stop the corrosion, the oxide will slow it down...put an aluminum part in the ocean for a week, you would shocked, it will delaminate and actually be falling apart

 

Rob, what am i doing wrong with this attaching something to a reply

 

Well I finally found the product, but it is not by prestone, it is being marketed by flex o lite...I just ordered it thru summit for 10.99, I bought a few of them, now I need to figure out where to install it in the cooling system...it comes with 1/4 " npt fitting and it is about 2" long. It is also on pg 121 of Oct 2006 Hot Rod mag.
Has anybody tried this yet???

 

After 6 heater cores, this is a sign of relief for some people.

Heater cores are aluminum.................

 

I thought anti-freeze has corrosion inhibitors as part of the mix? Figured flushing/changing coolant on a regular basis would be enough.

 

Frequent changes are supposed to cause heater core failures due to trapped air accelerating the electrolysis process.

Aluminum oxidizes but the oxidized layer is also pretty strong. Aluminum always oxidizes unless you have a sealant layer (like clearcoated paint).