Radiator corrosion

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Venom
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Radiator corrosion

Post by Venom » Tue Sep 07, 2010 1:20 pm

Hey guys,

So i was lazy and have been topping up my coolant with water for the past couple of months. Car went in to have some repairs done under insurance and they did a pressure test on my radiator (alluminium unit). Turns out its corroded to the point of leaking, apparently this can happen in only a couple of months to alluminium radiators. Fortunately insurance paid for a new one. Looking in the old radiator there there is powdery white/brown deposits on the inlet/outlet. Panel shop had problems refilling with the new radiator in, so i'm guessing the thermostat may be gummed up and sticking? Car is rough at idle too so i think the IACV is contaminated.

Car is now filled with genuine Subaru coolant, and i won't make the same mistake again. Question is what can i do about the crystalisation thats already occured? Don't like the idea of using a flush incase it dislodges all the built up crap in a short time and causes more damage. Had a suggestion of doing a couple of complete coolant flushes every 5,000km to clear it out. What do you guys think?

Cheers,
Rhys
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El_Freddo
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Post by El_Freddo » Fri Sep 10, 2010 7:13 pm

The 5000km flush could be the go, I'd probably look at every 10k with the oil change. I really don't see the point in 5k oil changes, I'd be changing my oil every 2-3 weeks back at home!!

I didn't flush the EJ before installing it, had the radiator cleaned out (copper unit) and am now finding a dirty sludge under the radiator cap every time I check the coolant level. Recently it has needed to be topped up a little every time I drive her - thinking the freeze event has done in the HG's :( Not happy but she's still going Ok with all the sensors throwing codes and the radiator's keeping her cool all the time so that's good. It could just be me over-reacting.

Anyway, glad to hear the insurance covered the radiator replacement! Good on them ;) How much was the genuine subaru coolant?? I'm thinking "ouch"!

Got her back yet?

Cheers

Bennie
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FROG
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Post by FROG » Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:45 am

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