As a veteran of a couple of electrolytic corrosion
battles, I've followed the list's discussion on this subject
and agree that the distilled water/antifreeze mix is
imperative. Back in the early '70s, I owned a SV Alpine
on which I performed a valve job. When I removed the
head, I noted an alarming level of corrosion on the
aluminum at the point where a little copper fitting
protruded out of the head into the water passage (I
don't remember the purpose of this fitting). The car
only had some 60,000 miles, but I had used a mixture of
tap water and antifreeze. I sold the car shortly
thereafter (hope nobody on this list bought it ;^) In the
late '70s, I bought a new 1st gen Accord. At about
45,000 mi, it suddenly started spewing out prodigious
amounts of steam out the tailpipe, and seized shortly
thereafter. Diagnosis? A pinhole leak developed
between a valve seat and the head, allowing coolant to
seep into one cylinder. The resulting water lubrication
system was not very effective. I had the engine
overhauled for some $1,500, and, 10,000 miles later, it
did it again!!! This time Honda took pity on me and
paid for the repairs, but I sold that one ASAP too! I've
used the proper coolant cocktail siunce then, with now
further problems (knock on laminated wood dash!)
Moral of the story...distilled water/ethylene
glycol...shaken, not stirred!
Mario
'65 Mk 1
B9471239
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