auto tech: corrosion: silent killer of vehicles

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This article is published at 27/12/12 (2362 days ago)
Therefore, the information in it may no longer be up to date.
In a busy life, it is easy for us to ignore some vehicle maintenance items, such as replacing engine coolant.
Everything has to be normal if it\'s still working, right? Wrong.
Corrosion is a silent killer of cars.
When we see the cooling
The system is corroded and often requires expensive repairs.
The cooling system is a complex assembly consisting of components and materials.
Aluminum, cast iron, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, rubber, plastic-
Engine coolant must be compatible with all coolant.
The coolant must also efficiently transfer heat, stop corrosion and provide a lubricant for the waterpump seals.
Unless you realize two different metals at any time (
Such as different aluminum alloy)
Contact with acidic liquid (Used antifreeze)
Your battery is dead.
The electricity generated by the cooling system will accelerate the corrosion of the material.
Replacing the coolant when needed will prevent excessive acid build-up
And help prevent corrosion.
Three types of antifreeze are usually used for lightduty vehicles.
The taste of ethylene glycol is sweet, but even a small amount of ethylene glycol can be fatal to small animals and children, so be careful when storing or draining water.
Propylene antifreeze is less toxic, slightly bitter in taste and less attractive to animals, but attention should be paid to safe storage.
In order to keep the coolant solution alkaline, both ethylene glycol and propylene contain silicate, phosphate and/or boron compounds as corrosion inhibitors.
The colors of these antifreeze are usually green.
The third antifreeze is also ethylene glycol-
But it contains organic acids that protect the engine from corrosion.
General Motors began using the antifreeze called Dexcool in 1996. It has a five-
One year/160,000 km life
The annual life of most other antifreeze. This \"long-
\"Life\" antifreeze is orange in color, but don\'t be fooled by non-orange or red coolantGM vehicles.
Check the owner\'s manual to see if it should be changed at 5-year or two-year intervals. Don\'t mix long-
The service life of using with ordinary antifreeze or the service life of antifreeze will be shortened to two years.
If you have to add antifreeze, mix it with water at the scale shown on the container. Some come pre-
Mixed, but 50/50 of the mixture is recommended by most people (
Some of the cheaper ones are 60/40).
Low coolant levels indicate leakage.
If there is no visible stain or corrosion on the outside of the engine or component, the coolant may leak inside into the oil.
This may damage the engine bearing very quickly, so ask the mechanic to check it as soon as possible.
The most eco-friendly way to replace antifreeze is to take the car to the local repair shop.
Most stores now use antifreeze recyclers to flush the cooling system, clean the old coolant, and fill the vehicle with a rejuvenated coolant.
In the cooling process
When the system is flushed, remove the old coolant from the vehicle, put it into the recycling machine, and then force the drainage throughout the system.
Next, filter the old coolant in the machine and test its strength (freezing point)
PH balance.
Add new antifreeze if necessary to increase the strength of the coolant.
Additives are used to balance the pH of the coolant and therefore are no longer corrosive and contain chemical packaging with additional corrosion-
Protective materials and water
Pump lubricating oil is added.
The recovered coolant pump is then returned to the cooling system.
While antifreeze does protect the engine from freezing in cold weather, their ability to provide heat transfer and increase boiling temperature in hot weather is equally important for the durability of the engine.
Compared to water, the boiling point of 100 °c, the boiling point of 50/50 antifreeze mixture and water is nearly 130 °c.
A clean, quality antifreeze mixed with water in the right proportions will protect your cooling system from corrosion and help protect your engine from overheating.
Therefore, do not ignore vehicle maintenance located at the bottom of the to-do list.
Jim Kerr is an experienced mechanic, a lecturer in automotive technology, a freelance journalist and a member of the Canadian Association of automotive journalists.