Pulled the head, found not rust but a white powdery substance on both the block and aluminum head water passages. I use so called purified water, and water wetter. No anti freeze. (Hey, its Calif.) Any idea what it is and how to get rid of it. Was tempted to just run vinegar for awhile, but read on-line vinegar is bad for the aluminum. Thanks for any info and ideas.
White stuff in water passages
- Thread starter PC/SR
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Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
I would think that would be aluminum "rust".
briphaeton
Senior Member
I've had a aluminum thomas head on for 23 years that I just removed. White stuff but no visual corrosion on the head (like new). I also used anodes and ran anti-freeze. There is a way to test the anti-freeze with a multi meter.
Jerry in Shasta
Senior Member
They make a specific antifreeze for that problem, I think it's labeled G5.
Also the anode must be magnesium for fresh water, zinc for salt water.
Distilled water still has oxygen in it and that's the chemical that causes the oxide. (rust)
I also run a Thomas head, but have very little oxide.
JB
Yea, I know I'll catch thunder for this post
Also the anode must be magnesium for fresh water, zinc for salt water.
Distilled water still has oxygen in it and that's the chemical that causes the oxide. (rust)
I also run a Thomas head, but have very little oxide.
JB
Yea, I know I'll catch thunder for this post
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Jim Brierley
Well-known member
Use anti-freeze to protect aluminum parts, an anode helps too.
Y-Blockhead
Well-known member
I know this sounds WAY OUT THERE but check your grounds. If your grounds are faulty the electricity can flow thru your coolant and cause electrolysis. (See attachment)
This is seen more often in more modern cars that have more aluminum in their cooling systems.
Also check the pH and conductivity of your coolant.
This is seen more often in more modern cars that have more aluminum in their cooling systems.
Also check the pH and conductivity of your coolant.
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BILL WILLIAMSON
Well-known member
Be sure the white stuff didn't build up hard deposits on the exposed ends of the radiator tubes & begin to plug them up.
This problem was common, when Volvo started using the aluminum head, OHC set up. Generally it was attributed to electrolisis. The deposits adhered ONLY to the tubes, NOT to the header plate.
Bill W.
This problem was common, when Volvo started using the aluminum head, OHC set up. Generally it was attributed to electrolisis. The deposits adhered ONLY to the tubes, NOT to the header plate.
Bill W.
ian Simpson
Well-known member
Even in California good anti-freeze can be beneficial in stopping corrosion of aluminum. I have owned many European vehicles with all aluminum engines and always used anti-freeze to stop corrosion even when living in climates that did not demand its use.
Did suffer similar, but external, corrosion caused by road salt. Are you sure your water is really pure?
redmodelt
Well-known member
"I know this sounds WAY OUT THERE but check your grounds. If your grounds are faulty the electricity can flow thru your coolant and cause electrolysis. (See attachment)
This is seen more often in more modern cars that have more aluminum in their cooling systems.
Also check the pH and conductivity of your coolant."
Motor Week on PBS talked about the electrical thing on Goss Garage today, with the motor turning at 2000 RPM (modern car) your meter set on DC the negative lead touching -post and + in the fluid in the radiator, if you got a reading higher then 6/10 (.6) of a volt it was time to change anti-freeze and check connections.
They also said to use distilled water mixed with anti-freeze and to mix it before adding to radiator.
This is seen more often in more modern cars that have more aluminum in their cooling systems.
Also check the pH and conductivity of your coolant."
Motor Week on PBS talked about the electrical thing on Goss Garage today, with the motor turning at 2000 RPM (modern car) your meter set on DC the negative lead touching -post and + in the fluid in the radiator, if you got a reading higher then 6/10 (.6) of a volt it was time to change anti-freeze and check connections.
They also said to use distilled water mixed with anti-freeze and to mix it before adding to radiator.
Allanw
Senior Member
Just use antifreeze - it's mostly there to stop the corrosion anyway.
careful of what water you use too: "pure" water - don't put that anywhere near an engine - pure water will dissolve everything it can, to make sure it's not pure. We have to be very careful of the metals we use on our Dialysis RO (Reverse Osmosis) systems, because the metals just dissolve into the water, so almost everything is stainless steel or plastic. Pure water is called "the universal solvent" for a reason
Seriously: I use tap water. At my place, that's rain water off the roof, at Dads place, it's town supply (we have VERY good town supply).
careful of what water you use too: "pure" water - don't put that anywhere near an engine - pure water will dissolve everything it can, to make sure it's not pure. We have to be very careful of the metals we use on our Dialysis RO (Reverse Osmosis) systems, because the metals just dissolve into the water, so almost everything is stainless steel or plastic. Pure water is called "the universal solvent" for a reason
Seriously: I use tap water. At my place, that's rain water off the roof, at Dads place, it's town supply (we have VERY good town supply).