Radiator and Water problems on FB
Ok....I have owned my F1000 for 2 1/2 years. On my most recent race, I noticed that the radiator was leaking water and coolant. I removed the side pod, and removed the radiator and took it to my local radiator shop with 30 years of experience and someone that could handle an aluminum radiator repair.
After pressurizing the radiator, it was determined that the tubes were fine, but on the bottom INNER ledge it was leaking and could NOT be repaired.
He stated the likely cause could be "electrolysys" in the water. He stated that I could have an improper ground or a short causing the water to be electrified. The engine runs great. No reported electrical problems.
He also suggested using "distilled" water and no antifreeze. He could not repair the radiator, and did not charge for the service. So there was no incentive to take the customer for a ride in repair charges.
Has anyone heard of the "electrolysis" in the water, and what type of fluids do you use in your FB radiators?
Can this "electrolysis" cause engine damage if it damaged the radiator?
I will have a new radiator built, but do not want to go thru this again.
Has anyone heard of the product called "wetter water" to fill the radiator?
Comments...feedback...suggestions .... most welcome.
another reason for no anti freeze---
if you do have some kind of failure on the track, the anti freeze will make the surface extremely slippery, possibly causing a fellow racer to lose control of their car. not good!
Anti freeze is a real no-no. use the water wetter as indicated in prior posts.
Radiator and water problems
I worked for a VW dealer, many, many years ago and I remember a service bulletin came out within a year of the introduction of the new VW Rabbit. We had to short circuit something in the wiring, that had to do with the electrically controled radiator fan. This was in response to problems with current passing through the rediator and causing it to corrode, plug-up and thus over-heat.
Radiator and Water problems
Vaughn,
If you end up leaking an anti-freeze mixture on the track, with the outer formula-sport racer's, they will not be very happy.
We use the Redline Water-wetter, because it has a rust inhibitor and a water pump lubricant. I do not recommend the use of anti-freeze.