Antifreeze (or not)

Post by **Dominic** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 9:07 pm

use copper grease on the studs

Ditto!

Post by **RogerRust** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 7:39 am

I worry a little bit about electrolytic corrosion due to disimilar metals. Its a long time since I was at school, but I think the galvanic cell between copper and alumininium was responcible for corrosion on a lorry door that fell off because the aluminium had corroded around the brass screws.
If that is the case silicone grease would be better because it contains no copper, but still keeps the water out.

edit:
I just found a simple explanation - Copper and Aluminium generates a voltage of 0.5 volts. Iron and Copper still give 0.3 volts which is why electrical connectors and earth points need to be kept dry.

http://wolever.net/~bennyp/chem_cell_potential_lab.php

OK, chemistry lesson over!

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:55 am

I worry a little bit about electrolytic corrosion due to disimilar metals.

I take your point Roger and its a long time since I was at school and chemistry was not a strong point, but the actual content of copper in the grease is going to be tiny and to be honest I have not seen problems caused by copper grease (maybe someone can quote an example) The other alternative would be to oil the studs but I feel the copper grease is a better solution.
Stands back and waits to be shot down in flames.............

While on this point I went to change my Antifreeze yesterday and opened up a new container and guess what no antifrezze in it just water

and the container was fully sealed no if only I could remember where it came from