Radiator Question

[modernrocketry]

Newbie Question.
It seems from what I am reading that Gen I and II Vipers have radiator problems. I am guessing that these problems stem from electrolysis occurring because of the dissimilar metals.
Has anyone ever modified the radiator to accept a Zinc Anode?

Zincs are used commonly on boats that sit in salt water and have Bronze, Stainless Steel and Aluminum all very close to each other submerged in salt water. The idea is that zinc is the least noble of the metals present and, as a result, the zinc will dissolve first. You simply change the zinc every so often and the other metals are untouched by electrolysis…

Or am I overcomplicating an otherwise simple issue – I am very good at doing that.

 

[bluesrt]

throw all that crap away and buy a 2010

 

[AFL in NJ]

I believe Sean Roe has a radiator cap with an anode built-in to it. You may want to check out their products.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[modernrocketry]

Excellent! THANKS!

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Those caps are designed for marine use where coolant chemistries cannot be used (lake water or sea water used for coolant?) If you use such a cap with an automotive antifreeze, you are asking the additives in the antifreeze to prevent the zinc anode from corroding. The entire arsenal of chemicals will be exhausted protecting something you put in the system to corrode.

You'll be far better off with a modern technology long life coolant. Any of the 5 year/150,000 coolants are a huge technology step up from the green coolants that were factory fill in the '90's.

 

[jay01m]

Some searching of the forum will probably clear up a lot of questions you have about the radiator on the Gen I/IIs. At the end of the day, the radiators still last about as long as you'd expect from most radiators. Bottom line, when you find yourself yanking the radiator, rebuild it and call it a day. If you decide to go with an aftermarket radiator, let me know, I'll gladly buy your stock radiator for cheap