Anode

Greg Gay · 03-19-2021, 09:56 AM

I'm trying to protect the cooling system while running water only. Do anodes work? Do the radiator hoses "insulate" the system such that you need an anode in block and another in radiator? Other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated.

Greg

FireSale · 03-19-2021, 11:06 AM

"Bad stuff" in the water will break down the metals in the engine and cooling system. Think rust. Bad stuff attacks the weakest metal around first. An anode is just a stick of metal that is chemically weaker than anything else around so the anode is broken down and not so much the motor metals. I think it's usually magnesium. Since it's the water that carries the bad stuff, I don't think a neutral thing like a rubber hose would insulate anything.
I did not run one last season and got a lot of rusty water out of my Dart SHP. Distilled water only.

Someone correct me on the chemistry here.

Bob Mulry · 03-20-2021, 04:53 PM

Two completely different issues....

Rust is Iron Oxide (FE2O3) and is caused by Iron coming into contact with oxygen......

Adding a rust inhibitor and preventing air from contacting the cast iron, such as a coolant recovery system would help, but we dump the water to save the head gaskets and leave the block to air dry and that causes rust.

Galvanic Reaction is when 2 dissimilar metals are in contact in an electrolyte (water)...

The liquid allows the transfer of metal from the most active metal to the least active metal....

Copper radiator and cast iron block, using a zinc or aluminum sacrificial anode would work to save the radiator.

Aluminum heads, intake or radiator on a cast iron block would require a magnesium sacrificial anode to save the aluminum.

That's why they bolt "zincs" to the hulls of ships to save the bronze propellers and the hull...

Just my 2 cents...

ken robinson · 03-21-2021, 09:29 AM

Greg , jegs sales a radiator drain plug which has an anode in it . Its in my alum radiator .

Greg Gay · 03-23-2021, 10:47 AM

Thank you for the replies. I have ordered both a zinc and magnesium anode; one for the radiator and one for the block. We'll see who they work out.

Greg

03-19-2021, 09:56 AM	#1
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 349 Likes: 8 Liked 224 Times in 49 Posts	Anode I'm trying to protect the cooling system while running water only. Do anodes work? Do the radiator hoses "insulate" the system such that you need an anode in block and another in radiator? Other suggestions? Any help would be appreciated. Greg

03-19-2021, 11:06 AM	#2
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 237 Times in 127 Posts	Re: Anode "Bad stuff" in the water will break down the metals in the engine and cooling system. Think rust. Bad stuff attacks the weakest metal around first. An anode is just a stick of metal that is chemically weaker than anything else around so the anode is broken down and not so much the motor metals. I think it's usually magnesium. Since it's the water that carries the bad stuff, I don't think a neutral thing like a rubber hose would insulate anything. I did not run one last season and got a lot of rusty water out of my Dart SHP. Distilled water only. Someone correct me on the chemistry here. __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

03-20-2021, 04:53 PM	#3
Bob Mulry VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Coarsegold, CA Posts: 1,017 Likes: 57 Liked 321 Times in 101 Posts	Re: Anode Two completely different issues.... Rust is Iron Oxide (FE2O3) and is caused by Iron coming into contact with oxygen...... Adding a rust inhibitor and preventing air from contacting the cast iron, such as a coolant recovery system would help, but we dump the water to save the head gaskets and leave the block to air dry and that causes rust. Galvanic Reaction is when 2 dissimilar metals are in contact in an electrolyte (water)... The liquid allows the transfer of metal from the most active metal to the least active metal.... Copper radiator and cast iron block, using a zinc or aluminum sacrificial anode would work to save the radiator. Aluminum heads, intake or radiator on a cast iron block would require a magnesium sacrificial anode to save the aluminum. That's why they bolt "zincs" to the hulls of ships to save the bronze propellers and the hull... Just my 2 cents... __________________ Bob Mulry 7516 STK A & M Motorsports

03-21-2021, 09:29 AM	#4
ken robinson Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: tomsriver nj Posts: 441 Likes: 37 Liked 164 Times in 69 Posts	Re: Anode Greg , jegs sales a radiator drain plug which has an anode in it . Its in my alum radiator .

03-23-2021, 10:47 AM	#5
Greg Gay Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 349 Likes: 8 Liked 224 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Anode Thank you for the replies. I have ordered both a zinc and magnesium anode; one for the radiator and one for the block. We'll see who they work out. Greg