Aluminum Automotive Cooling Systems: Eco Beneficial or Maintenance Nightmare?

Beginning in the early 2000s the automobile industry began making changes in the aluminum cooling system components, including the radiator and heater core jezgre.Promjena started with the luxury and sports models, and continued to compact and economy cars, as well.

The reason for the change of the space and weight. Aluminum provides more efficient heat exchange (dispersion) than the traditional copper and brass components in a fraction of the size and weight. This improves the efficiency of gas, makes engines run at higher temperatures (to reduce emissions), and offers more design flexibility.

While aluminum offers significant advantages, it also comes with several maintenance deficiencies. Specifically, failure to maintain proper system cooling aluminum will lead to premature failure of the radiator or heater core. Most new vehicles with aluminum radiators to determine the 5-year, 100,000 km maintenance interval for coolant. This is possible due to the latest extended-life organic coolant.

A new anti-freeze technology is based on carboxylate and other organic acid technology (OAT) that are sensitive to changes in pH. While new organic coolant less toxic to humans and the planet than glycol-based fluids, they also have the disadvantage of a false sense of security. If proper maintenance procedures are not followed, high or low pH condition can happen to destroy the quality of antifreeze to prevent corrosion.

OAT based antifreeze keeps aluminum parts are free from corrosion by creating a thin, gaseous filma.Film creates a microscopic barrier that bonds with aluminum components, providing effective protection.

One of the most common problems with the OAT system is inadvertent use of conventional coolant. When this happens the protective properties of OAT coolant were destroyed in chemical reactions induced corrosion starts immediately. In some cases the owner of the vehicle May does not even realize it happened until it's too late. Maybe an oil change a technician or service station attendant just at the top with the wrong fluid.

Aluminum cooling systems should be checked regularly. Every twenty to four months is advised. If your vehicle is sitting for long after the cooling system checked every twelve months is advisable.

When a qualified technician check the cooling system will use a refractometer to get a complete picture of the cooling condition. They will also check the pH level to make sure the fluid within the acceptable range (normal pH 7.7 to 9.3). The final check is to use multi-meters (voltage, amperage, resistance meters) to verify proper grounding system. It above.01 voltage V (measured from the negative terminals of the battery terminals radiator filler neck could indicate a potential condition of electrolysis. Ground check done with the car and while on the run. It is not uncommon for a starter motor ground straps do not, you can import the current through the body.

If the cooling system does not test any system you will be required ispran.Odgovarajuće flush rinse clothes. If washing machine is not available then the whole system should be flushed with fresh water several times.

There are many wonderful benefits to aluminum radiators and heater cores, but they come at the price. This is the price of regular attention and care of the extended-life coolant.