Stray Currents can cut <span class="highlight">radiator</span> life.
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 17:30
ThreadID:
64773
Views:
4134
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
10
This Thread has been Archived
PeterInSa
Greasing the bearings on our tandem van at our sons workshop, over coffee son pointed out a vehicle with
radiator problems due to stray current so we used a black box with red and green leds to
check for stray currents on my Cruiser. One lead goes on the negative battery terminal and the other in the
radiator fluid.
Both Red and green lights came on. Not Good. Connecting up a meter showed that I had .06volts in the system meaning that one or more pieces of gear CB/GPS/Reverse/Van Camera/Headlights etc etc. does not have a good earth and this will shorten the life of my
radiator, via electrolysis. Only had problems when the ignition was on.
Suggest you do a
check also. Our Buzz box, a Corolla Seca with very little added gear did not have a problem, came up Green.
This item could
well have been on the
forum earlier, but I for one missed it.
Peter
Reply By: troopyman - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 17:57
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 17:57
Thats why i replaced my
radiator when it broke with a brass one . Doesnt disipate as quick as aluminium though .
AnswerID:
342445
Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:10
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:10
Its a known problem with Prado's expecially
AnswerID:
342448
Follow Up By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:35
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:35
OH NO!!!! That cannot be correct..... surely!!!! hahaha Toyotas don't have "problems"....just ask Pesty or Muddy etc..... (TIC)
FollowupID:
610143
Follow Up By: Sir Kev & Darkie - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:53
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:53
Is that why you have used Toyota parts in the Chev Missan Roachie?? hahaha
Cheers Kev
| Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.Lifetime Member
My Profile My Blog Send Message |
FollowupID:
610146
Reply By: Kroozer - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:45
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 18:45
Anybody know what the device is called to
check this? I reckon some of my wiring would have dodgy earths for sure. Surely the device isnt very complicated or expensive.
AnswerID:
342453
Follow Up By: Bearded Fish - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 20:51
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 20:51
It can be done with a multimeter.
FollowupID:
610158
Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 22:25
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 22:25
I agree with Bearded Fish, can be done with a multimeter.
You should set the meter to read less than 10 volts.
Check prior to starting up, during the start up and running, allow some time to settle down as
well.
On one
test my vehicle got up to 3.01volts prior to settling down to .06v. If no reading on 10 volts scale go lower. From memory your reading should be less than .05 volts. Make sure the positive lead of your meter only touches the fluid(not the
radiator body).
Peter
FollowupID:
610177
Follow Up By: ats11279 - Sunday, Jan 04, 2009 at 18:50
Sunday, Jan 04, 2009 at 18:50
The tool in question is actually called a stray current detector, I bought one through the local Wynn's agent. If being checked by a multimeter, I was informed by an auto electrician to use an analogue multimeter for the task, can't remember the reason but he sends all possible faulty vehicles to me or borrows my tester.
FollowupID:
610272
Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Jan 05, 2009 at 07:51
Monday, Jan 05, 2009 at 07:51
If you find a problem vehicle, what do you typically need to do to fix the problem ?
FollowupID:
610349
Reply By: Willem - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 20:36
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 20:36
Peter
By how much time will stray currents shorten the life of your
radiator?
AnswerID:
342472
Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 22:34
Saturday, Jan 03, 2009 at 22:34
Willem
On one of the two write ups I read today, depending upon the voltage only weeks. I think this writeup was put out by a
radiator mob. Probably to avoid warranty claims, which is reasonable, because if you have high stray current, its not their products problem.
My son also mentioned that some organisation had done some tests on current cars on the road and "came up with some surprising results".(Not his words).
Peter
FollowupID:
610178
Follow Up By: Member No 1- Sunday, Jan 04, 2009 at 11:12
Sunday, Jan 04, 2009 at 11:12
it depends on how much voltage, quality of alloy etc etc as to life of
radiator ..bit like how longs a bit of string.....
but the higher the voltage the shorter the life.....the alloy acts as a sacrificial anode.......
FollowupID:
610223
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009 at 17:18
Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009 at 19:32
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2009 at 19:32
Thanks
FollowupID:
610860
Reply By: Flywest - Sunday, Jan 04, 2009 at 14:48
Sunday, Jan 04, 2009 at 14:48
Electrolysis or galvanic corrosion?
Theres a difference in the causes and cures! ;o)
Cheers
AnswerID:
342581
Reply By: PeterInSa - Monday, Jan 05, 2009 at 11:56
Monday, Jan 05, 2009 at 11:56
Mike R, All,
I think the problem you have is finding the oproblem NOT the fixie it could be the earth on anyone of your Headlights,
parking lights, clock, accessories, Starter Sol. Alternator and to narrow it down takes the time.
When you have found the cause its just a case of clean up the connector/earth screw/bolt and re
check.
What makes it worse is that there could be a number of restitive earths that you successfully have to remove to fix the stray currents.
From memory the vehicle in my sons workshop had a faulty earth on the headlights.
Peter
AnswerID:
342696