Re:

[ChuckKuecker <ckuecker@mcs.net>]

At 17:18 5/2/97 EDT, you wrote:
>your getting rust to break off from inside the system to make the coolant
>brown.  Did you use any flush or just drain and refill?  Some people just
>drain it and say they flushed the system.  What mixture did you use? if
>you went with too much water it may cause rust quicker.  I have been told
>that using very watered down or straight water in aluminum heads causes
>lots of rust which in turn will cause your coolant to be brown.  Of
>course maybe your radiator is ready to go and is just letting all the
>rust come off.
>
>Kyle
>
I did not know aluminum could rust. Possibly you mean a galvanic corrosion
between the aluminum head and the cast iron block? The block definitely
can and will rust, given the chance...

Straight water is only good to get you limping into the nearest service
station after you boil over. Antifreeze provides corrosion protection,
lubrication for the water pump, and sometimes helps seal small pinhole
leaks, depending on the brand. It also raises the boiling point of the
coolant substantially, as well as lowering the freeze point. Modern cars
will boil over very easily with plain water only.

Most VW radiators are aluminum and plastic. They don't rust, but can corrode
and leak or clog with debris from elsewhere. Aftermarket radiators can be
brass and copper, like in older American cars. Same problems.

If you are in the cooling system, by all means, FLUSH it properly! Just
good preventative maintanance...

Chuck Kuecker

ckuecker@mcs.net

'83 Scirocco
'58 Ghia Convert
'67 Bug
'63 Bug
'91 Vanagon


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