Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
You have 4 items in your shopping cart
Section Image

How corrosive is coolant?

Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:45

Member - Matt M (ACT)

Evening all,

I noticed this evening that I had what appeared to be coolant dripping off my rear mud flap. Had me confused for a few moments until I realised that a spare bottle that I keep in the rear quarter panel compartment had split (been there a while). I have wiped it out as best I can, but the question is will it damage paint or metal. I'm guessing it is not that bad given it circulates around the engine, but should I be worried?

I suppose I should just stop being lazy and hose it out.

Matt.
Cape Leveque
Click Image to Enlarge
Life's a beach....
Advertisement
ThreadID: 51212 Replies: 5
Views: 576 FollowUps: 3
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 269797   Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:47

Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

Brake fluid is the BAD one......coolant shouldn't cause any dramas I wouldn't have thought......

Cheers

Roachie

Click Image to Enlarge
There's only one thing more painful than learning from experience and that is NOT learning from experience!
Reply 1 of 5
AnswerID: 269798   Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:56

Member - Duncs replied:

If the coolant is an ethylene glycol coolant my wife, who is a chemist, assures me that it will be somewhat corrosive.

It might not be much but I'd put the garden hose in there for a while just to be sure.

If your Irish you could do it twice. T'be sure, t'be sure.

Duncs
Eric the Emu at home
Click Image to Enlarge
Content with where I am but looking for somwhere else to go. Pic 1 Eric the Emu at home Pic 2 camped on Cooper Cr
Reply 2 of 5
FollowupID: 532711   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 03, 2007 at 01:33

Richard Kovac posted:

Gees the wife is a chemist,, thats cool, just don't let Ben Cousins around.. lol

Camped under Mt Leisler
Click Image to Enlarge
Still Getting There
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 269800   Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 20:56

Louie the fly replied:

If it is just Ethylene Glycol wash it off with warm soapy water, particularly if it's concentrate. 100ml of 100% concentrate will kill you so it cant be that good for your paint. You probably already done this though so should be OK. You can get a MSDS off the web that will tell you what to do in the event of a spill.

Click Image to Enlarge
There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.
Reply 3 of 5
AnswerID: 269801   Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 21:02

Member - Matt M (ACT) replied:

Cheers Guys. I'll give it a hose tomorrow.

Matt.
Cape Leveque
Click Image to Enlarge
Life's a beach....
Reply 4 of 5
FollowupID: 532677   Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 21:16

Bushtrek posted:

Anti Freeze formulated with Ethylene Glycol is not corrosive in the sense that it will initiate corrosion of metals, as well it contains corrosion inhibitors for iron and non-ferrous metals eg copper, brass, zinc.
What is does do when spilled into crevices is that unless it is completely removed it will oxidise over time and absorb moisture from the atmosphere. The oxidation/decomposition products can promote corrosion between adjoining metal surfaces.
After you gently hose it out spray the cavity and crevices where it has been with Lanotec or similar corrosion inhibitor. That will displace any residual moisture and coat the surface effectively against corrosion.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 532678   Submitted: Friday, Nov 02, 2007 at 21:17

Member - Matt M (ACT) posted:

Thanks Mate, good advice.
Cape Leveque
Click Image to Enlarge
Life's a beach....
FollowUp 2 of 2
Activities Index
Watsons Bay Village & Secret Walking Paths Tour Watsons Bay Village & Secret Walking Paths To
Sydney - NSW
Explore Sydney's most exclusive suburbs in true style.
Aerobatic Warbird Flight - YAK52 -  Archerfield Aerobatic Warbird Flight - YAK52 - Archerfie
Brisbane - QLD
Be a WW2 fighter ace, feel the thrill of high 'G' manoeuvres, looping and rolling through the skies
Day in the South West Wilderness Day in the South West Wilderness
Hobart - TAS
This full day tour takes you over some of the most remote and we then land at Melaleuca, which is fo
Day Spa Relaxation Massage - 1 Hour Day Spa Relaxation Massage - 1 Hour
Brisbane - QLD
It's time to be spoilt with a 60 minute therapeutic massage to aid in your complete and utter relaxa
Book Now - Things To Do
AnswerID: 269856   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 03, 2007 at 10:51

nowimnumberone replied:

I suppose I should just stop being lazy and hose it out.
exactly dont be lazy lol.
Reply 5 of 5