Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

spoke to the silvertons guys today and they said that when they had tested my vehicle for electrolysis they originally measured a reading of 0.09 which is within allowable spec (they reckon it should stay below 1.0).

They then left it to idle up to operating temp and tested it from time to time while that was happening. They told me today that at one stage while they were doing that the reading was 0.24

So when I arrived home today (car then at operating temp) I took off my radiator cap and proceeded to let the vehicle idle for the next 35 minutes while taking reading every 2 minutes or so. At no stage did it go above 0.05 even where I systematically switched on and off all the lights, radio, and aircon. Most of the time the reading was 0.03 which is far below the threshold of 0.1

So now my question is did they get a false reading or has something stabilised?

I managed to get some distilled water today and picked up some coolant from the dealers. Going to have that put into the cooling system and see what happens.......

Gerard wrote:

Why?

They all use the following material:

cast iron
brass
alluminium

will this shed some light


http://www.fleetchargeantifreeze.com/mixed_a2.htm

I really do not feel like getting involved in an argument, but that article does not say that one cannot use antifreeze used for trucks in light vehicles.

It talks about

• the wrong use of anti-freeze (light duty anti-freeze in heavy duty applications, but not the converse)
• mixing different types of antifreeze
• topping up with water (diluting)
• over-dosing with SCA

Gerhard
I apologise if it appeared i was having a argument with you.

Im yet to find a forum with more knowledge than the 4E's
I could only dream of having the automotive knoledge you have.
Im not able to answer your question why?

Well the system has now been filled with Mitsu coolant (undiluted this time ) and intital tests this morning reveal that the charge in the coolant has gone.

The reading this morning with the engine off was 0.00 where previously it was 0.03

I will still run a few tests over the next day or two and check under differing conditions (engine on/off, idiling to operating temp from cold, idling after stop) and will post my results here.

Sometimes I feel like a teacher!

"Class, now let's summarise what we learned in this thread:

• New radiators can have defects
• The supplier will find another reason to blame for the failure - in this case electrolysis, which corroded a hole through the radiator in 500 km!
• Fortunately this brought us to an interesting point - electrolysis in your cooling system, which TC researched very well. Well done TC!
• Most important lesson, though is: water is NOT a good coolant for any engine.
• Proper coolant (in the correct proportions) will not only be more efficient than water, but prevent bad things like electrolytic corrosion

Class out!"

Excellent synopsis 4E