Aluminum radiators

[LEVY]

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I have a friend who owns a company that build custom radiators.

According to him, manufacturers of vehicles with factory equiped aluminum radiators take in consideration this fact when they design their electrical system. According to him, some times people make changes or bad repairs to their electrical system, then after some time their radiator start to leak. This is caused by electrolisis. Aluminum will be corroded quicker than brass or copper.

Now, this make me think, what is going to happen if you install a aluminum radiator on a older vehicle with electrical system not designed for aluminum radiator at all?

Anyone have any knowledge of this?

LEVY

[Bikercmbc]

I've always heard that over time it can do this, but as long as you change out the coolant every few years and use coolant made to protect aluminum you shouldnt have any problems. the engine is all aluminum and so is the coolant pipes going to the front of the car. those have been fine for the last 30 years, you aluminum radiator shouldnt make a difference. plus i think dmcUK sells aluminum radiators for the cars.

[Domi]

Ed from DeLorean Europe has also an aluminum radiator:
http://www.delorean.eu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=41006
Or, there is a French company whom also makes them:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?115-52mm-core-radiator
and here:
http://delorean.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3355

[LEVY]

Yes, I know. A lot of companies make them, that is not the point.

The point is, aluminum corrodes a lot quicker than brass or copper. You need to make sure that no electricity runs from side of the radiator to the other, specially if you have electric fans.

LEVY


Ed from DeLorean Europe has also an aluminum radiator:
http://www.delorean.eu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=41006
Or, there is a French company whom also makes them:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?115-52mm-core-radiator
and here:
http://delorean.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3355

[DMCMW Dave]

Yes, I know. A lot of companies make them, that is not the point.

The point is, aluminum corrodes a lot quicker than brass or copper. You need to make sure that no electricity runs from side of the radiator to the other, specially if you have electric fans.

LEVY

Since the fan cases are not grounded, and the fans are mounted in plastic, I'm sure it's not much of an issue at least with OE fans. The aftermarket fans with metal housings may be another story.

[LEVY]

100% correct.

Problem is when people install aftermarket accesories, specially if grounded to radiator.

LEVY




Since the fan cases are not grounded, and the fans are mounted in plastic, I'm sure it's not much of an issue at least with OE fans. The aftermarket fans with metal housings may be another story.

[jawn101]

This is interesting, and wasn't something I had ever considered. I have the aftermarket fans with the metal shroud. Is there anything one can do to avoid them damaging the radiator over time? Maybe put rubber washers between the rad and fan shroud on the bolts? Run a ground from the fan housing to the frame?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Your engine block is grounded. So maybe the better design is to ground the radiator. Modern cars all have the radiator mounted to their steel frame.