I have noticed that more and more of my customers' radiators inlcude a ground strap. One of my most knowledgable shopowners told me today that he grounds ALL aluminum radiators and heater cores. He said that he was having heater core failures within two weeks of installation and after he grounded them, the failures stopped. Just thought I'd pass it along.

That's strange, one normally insulates dissimilar metals to avoid setting up a galvanic reaction. Do you know what they are trying to accomplish?

yep. i agree with craig.

cant see any benefit to grounding them.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I agree. An aluminum radiator in contact with a dissimilar metal via the coolant, which is a weak electolyte, constitutes a galvanic cell.

If you "short" the dissimilar metals together, galvanic corrosion will be faster. Most radiators in my experience are electrically isolated from vehicle ground so the "short" doesn't happen.

See any basic chemistry text. The above concept is at about 300 years old.

Duke

Then how about a sacrificial anode ?


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"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

That would be the aluminum itself, hence the failures.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

The above concept is at about 300 years old. Yes, it is very well known, but why did Mercedes' engineers build the original W124 evaporator core of aluminum and copper thus assuring the failure of a part that requires the removal of the entire instrument panel to R&R?
regards,
Mark

probably because it was cheaper (than an all copper one) and they didn't consider the chemistry at the time.

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Daily Driver: 02 E430 4MATIC
In the family: '03 E500 // '04 ML500 // 64 220SE

Just like the damn fuses!