The Ford Barn

19Fordy · 04-08-2015, 04:57 PM

Using test strips the PH of my radiator coolant is 8 on the Ph Scale. I am using DEXCOOL antifreeze. I would like to know if 8 is a good reading and IF IT IS NOT what can I do to correct it? Having aluminum heads on the engine causes my concern as I don't want the aluminum to corrode. I am also using a magnesium anode suspended in the radiator top tank and it is corroding. Thanks.

ford38v8 · 04-08-2015, 06:57 PM

Not sure about the ph, but the anode is supposed to do that. It's doing its job when it dissolves away.

SofaKing · 04-08-2015, 07:11 PM

I thought your question was interesting and not one I have considered, so after a short google I found the following link, made for interesting reading, especially the part about OATs and aluminum corrosion protection.

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/...t-fundamentals

jon laing · 04-09-2015, 07:05 AM

Check out [ www.AMI25.com ] . Jon Laing

19Fordy · 04-09-2015, 08:22 AM

jon, When you click on that link, what do you see?

Fibber Mcgee · 04-09-2015, 08:28 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

jon, When you click on that link, what do you see?

Maybe the bamboo or the dog is good for corosion?

JSeery · 04-09-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

jon, When you click on that link, what do you see?

Now that is clear as mud on my computer what's your problem with it?

Tony, NY · 04-09-2015, 08:49 AM

Since pure water has a ph of 7, anything below that would be acidic. Anything above that would be ok to me, the way I see it.

russcc · 04-09-2015, 09:11 AM

There are additives like No-Rosion to keep the PH neutral. If you go on their web site, you will get a great education that you can apply to your situation.

Tony, NY · 04-09-2015, 10:21 AM

According to No-Rosion, 8.5 is the low limit for ph.
Q. Why is No-Rosion dark pink in color?
A. The color serves a functional purpose. No-Rosion contains a pH-indicator called phenolphthalein. When added to coolant at the proper dose, it remains pink at a pH of 8.5 or higher. But if the pH of coolant drops below 8.5, it goes to clear. This allows quick and easy visual indication as to whether the pH of straight water coolant has dropped to a dangerously low level. This product feature was originally developed for ocean liner and locomotive engines, which typically run straight water engine coolant. When used in these industrial applications, No-Rosion's built-in pH indicator can be quite handy. If combustion byproducts reduce coolant pH to dangerously corrosive levels, product is added until the color of the coolant returns to pink.

jon laing · 04-09-2015, 10:36 AM

So sorry. Try [ www.RMI25.com ]. Jon Laing

AnthonyG · 04-09-2015, 12:41 PM

Prestone or Peak 50-50 used full strength has the proper PH and protects against corrosion in both your radiator and engines iron and aluminum & copper. Changed at the end of the season before storage or annually if you drive all year keeps it working and fresh also adding as required. If always replacing with the 50-50 and not water you won't have to worry about the PH. The added dimension of the sacrificial anode is a great backup as the 50-50 ages. For now it's showing that you have less protection than needed and is doing it's job taking the brunt of the galvanic corrosion to save the engine / heads / radiator.

jon laing · 04-09-2015, 01:47 PM

Sacrificial anodes for old Ford cooling systems. Where do I find one? How are they installed? Jon Laing

JSeery · 04-09-2015, 02:22 PM

They are not specific to old Fords and a search online should find you one. All of the ones I have seen just drop into the radiator and are hold in place with a wire. Most often used on boats and/or commercial applications like large trucks.

AnthonyG · 04-09-2015, 02:26 PM

jon laing they have them at Mac's,
http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_mo...ial-anode.html

B-O-B · 04-09-2015, 02:46 PM

I could be wrong but a sacrificial anode should be attached. That is the way they were on my vessel. I 2nd RMI-25 good stuff so far been in my roadster & F-150 for 6 months.

JSeery · 04-09-2015, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-O-B

I could be wrong but a sacrificial anode should be attached. That is the way they were on my vessel. I 2nd RMI-25 good stuff so far been in my roadster & F-150 for 6 months.

They are attached, "with a wire".

AnthonyG · 04-09-2015, 03:48 PM

To work best the sacrificial anode does need to be conductively attached to at least one point in the cooling system as the coolant is conductive as well it will serve as the connection to the rest of the metal it is in contact with. However the closer the sacrificial anode is to the metal you are trying to protect the better, so within the cooling system one in contact with the radiator and one in contact with the block is best. A bit of a pain in the block so few do.
FYI on what kind of metal to use as the sacrificial anode: "If you want to protect more than one metal ( i.e. iron, copper, & aluminum ) you need to connect another metal that is more active than the first two. The most active metal (zinc for example) becomes the anode to the others and sacrifices itself by corroding (giving up metal) to protect the cathode - hence the term sacrificial anode"

04-08-2015, 04:57 PM	#1
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,936	Radiator Coolant Ph Using test strips the PH of my radiator coolant is 8 on the Ph Scale. I am using DEXCOOL antifreeze. I would like to know if 8 is a good reading and IF IT IS NOT what can I do to correct it? Having aluminum heads on the engine causes my concern as I don't want the aluminum to corrode. I am also using a magnesium anode suspended in the radiator top tank and it is corroding. Thanks.

04-08-2015, 06:57 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,644	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph Not sure about the ph, but the anode is supposed to do that. It's doing its job when it dissolves away. __________________ Alan

04-08-2015, 07:11 PM	#3
SofaKing Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 756	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph I thought your question was interesting and not one I have considered, so after a short google I found the following link, made for interesting reading, especially the part about OATs and aluminum corrosion protection. http://www.machinerylubrication.com/...t-fundamentals

04-09-2015, 07:05 AM	#4
jon laing Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: DRUMMOND iSLAND, Mi. Posts: 247	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph Check out [ www.AMI25.com ] . Jon Laing

04-09-2015, 08:22 AM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,936	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph jon, When you click on that link, what do you see?

04-09-2015, 08:49 AM	#8
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 811	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph Since pure water has a ph of 7, anything below that would be acidic. Anything above that would be ok to me, the way I see it.

04-09-2015, 09:11 AM	#9
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph There are additives like No-Rosion to keep the PH neutral. If you go on their web site, you will get a great education that you can apply to your situation.

04-09-2015, 10:21 AM	#10
Tony, NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Capital of Corruption , NY Posts: 811	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph According to No-Rosion, 8.5 is the low limit for ph. Q. Why is No-Rosion dark pink in color? A. The color serves a functional purpose. No-Rosion contains a pH-indicator called phenolphthalein. When added to coolant at the proper dose, it remains pink at a pH of 8.5 or higher. But if the pH of coolant drops below 8.5, it goes to clear. This allows quick and easy visual indication as to whether the pH of straight water coolant has dropped to a dangerously low level. This product feature was originally developed for ocean liner and locomotive engines, which typically run straight water engine coolant. When used in these industrial applications, No-Rosion's built-in pH indicator can be quite handy. If combustion byproducts reduce coolant pH to dangerously corrosive levels, product is added until the color of the coolant returns to pink.

04-09-2015, 10:36 AM	#11
jon laing Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: DRUMMOND iSLAND, Mi. Posts: 247	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph So sorry. Try [ www.RMI25.com ]. Jon Laing

04-09-2015, 12:41 PM	#12
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,167	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph Prestone or Peak 50-50 used full strength has the proper PH and protects against corrosion in both your radiator and engines iron and aluminum & copper. Changed at the end of the season before storage or annually if you drive all year keeps it working and fresh also adding as required. If always replacing with the 50-50 and not water you won't have to worry about the PH. The added dimension of the sacrificial anode is a great backup as the 50-50 ages. For now it's showing that you have less protection than needed and is doing it's job taking the brunt of the galvanic corrosion to save the engine / heads / radiator. __________________ Nomad

04-09-2015, 01:47 PM	#13
jon laing Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: DRUMMOND iSLAND, Mi. Posts: 247	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph Sacrificial anodes for old Ford cooling systems. Where do I find one? How are they installed? Jon Laing

04-09-2015, 02:22 PM	#14
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph They are not specific to old Fords and a search online should find you one. All of the ones I have seen just drop into the radiator and are hold in place with a wire. Most often used on boats and/or commercial applications like large trucks.

04-09-2015, 02:26 PM	#15
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,167	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph jon laing they have them at Mac's, http://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_mo...ial-anode.html __________________ Nomad

04-09-2015, 02:46 PM	#16
B-O-B Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ft Mohave,Az Posts: 1,987	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph I could be wrong but a sacrificial anode should be attached. That is the way they were on my vessel. I 2nd RMI-25 good stuff so far been in my roadster & F-150 for 6 months.

04-09-2015, 03:48 PM	#18
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,167	Re: Radiator Coolant Ph To work best the sacrificial anode does need to be conductively attached to at least one point in the cooling system as the coolant is conductive as well it will serve as the connection to the rest of the metal it is in contact with. However the closer the sacrificial anode is to the metal you are trying to protect the better, so within the cooling system one in contact with the radiator and one in contact with the block is best. A bit of a pain in the block so few do. FYI on what kind of metal to use as the sacrificial anode: "If you want to protect more than one metal ( i.e. iron, copper, & aluminum ) you need to connect another metal that is more active than the first two. The most active metal (zinc for example) becomes the anode to the others and sacrifices itself by corroding (giving up metal) to protect the cathode - hence the term sacrificial anode" __________________ Nomad