Tsb #05-06-02-001; corrosion, insufficient inhibitor levels
#1
11-11-2009, 11:24 AM
Tsb #05-06-02-001; corrosion, insufficient inhibitor levels
TSB #05-06-02-001: Information on Aluminum Heater Core and/or Radiator Replacement
Partial ...
The following information should be utilized when servicing aluminum heater core and/or radiators on repeat visits. A replacement may be necessary because erosion, corrosion, or insufficient inhibitor levels may cause damage to the heater core, radiator or water pump. A coolant check should be preformed whenever a heater core, radiator, or water pump is replaced. The following procedures/ inspections should be done to verify proper coolant effectiveness.
Technician Diagnosis
* Verify coolant concentration. A 50% coolant/water solution ensures proper freeze and corrosion protection. Inhibitor levels cannot be easily measured in the field, but can be indirectly done by the measurement of coolant concentration. This must be done by using a Refractometer J 23688 (Fahrenheit scale) or J 26568 (centigrade scale), or equivalent, coolant tester. The Refractometer uses a minimal amount of coolant that can be taken from the coolant recovery reservoir, radiator or the engine block. Inexpensive gravity float testers (floating *****) will not completely analyze the coolant concentration fully and should not be used. The concentration levels should be between 50% and 65% coolant concentrate. This mixture will have a freeze point protection of -34 degrees Fahrenheit (-37 degrees Celsius). If the concentration is below 50%, the cooling system must be flushed.
* Inspect the coolant flow restrictor if the vehicle is equipped with one. Refer to Service Information (SI) and/or the appropriate Service Manual for component location and condition for operation.
* Verify that no electrolysis is present in the cooling system. This electrolysis test can be performed before or after the system has been repaired. Use a digital voltmeter set to 12 volts. Attach one test lead to the negative battery post and insert the other test lead into the radiator coolant, making sure the lead does not touch the filler neck or core. Any voltage reading over 0.3 volts indicates that stray current is finding its way into the coolant. Electrolysis is often an intermittent condition that occurs when a device or accessory that is mounted to the radiator is energized. This type of current could be caused from a poorly grounded cooling fan or some other accessory and can be verified by watching the volt meter and turning on and off various accessories or engage the starter motor. Before using one of the following flush procedures, the coolant recovery reservoir must be removed, drained, cleaned and reinstalled before refilling the system.
.
Partial ...
The following information should be utilized when servicing aluminum heater core and/or radiators on repeat visits. A replacement may be necessary because erosion, corrosion, or insufficient inhibitor levels may cause damage to the heater core, radiator or water pump. A coolant check should be preformed whenever a heater core, radiator, or water pump is replaced. The following procedures/ inspections should be done to verify proper coolant effectiveness.
Technician Diagnosis
* Verify coolant concentration. A 50% coolant/water solution ensures proper freeze and corrosion protection. Inhibitor levels cannot be easily measured in the field, but can be indirectly done by the measurement of coolant concentration. This must be done by using a Refractometer J 23688 (Fahrenheit scale) or J 26568 (centigrade scale), or equivalent, coolant tester. The Refractometer uses a minimal amount of coolant that can be taken from the coolant recovery reservoir, radiator or the engine block. Inexpensive gravity float testers (floating *****) will not completely analyze the coolant concentration fully and should not be used. The concentration levels should be between 50% and 65% coolant concentrate. This mixture will have a freeze point protection of -34 degrees Fahrenheit (-37 degrees Celsius). If the concentration is below 50%, the cooling system must be flushed.
* Inspect the coolant flow restrictor if the vehicle is equipped with one. Refer to Service Information (SI) and/or the appropriate Service Manual for component location and condition for operation.
* Verify that no electrolysis is present in the cooling system. This electrolysis test can be performed before or after the system has been repaired. Use a digital voltmeter set to 12 volts. Attach one test lead to the negative battery post and insert the other test lead into the radiator coolant, making sure the lead does not touch the filler neck or core. Any voltage reading over 0.3 volts indicates that stray current is finding its way into the coolant. Electrolysis is often an intermittent condition that occurs when a device or accessory that is mounted to the radiator is energized. This type of current could be caused from a poorly grounded cooling fan or some other accessory and can be verified by watching the volt meter and turning on and off various accessories or engage the starter motor. Before using one of the following flush procedures, the coolant recovery reservoir must be removed, drained, cleaned and reinstalled before refilling the system.
.
#2
11-11-2009, 11:27 AM
...................
1. ..........................................
2. Most CRITICAL .. GM's advice continues to lack sensitivity to the owners and bows to the EPA - maybe they have no choice. We, the owners do have a choice and we know that TWO YEARS is what makes sense to replenish the coolant whose corrosion protection is depleted enough in about two years of metal contact so that the headgaskets often can and are compromises in thousands of GM cars.
This writer strongly believes that whatever money is spent every other year (after the initial 5 years) on maintenance of the cooling system is well worth it. The cost of replacing headgaskets on a Northstar is often the determining factor to junk the cars.
3. This writer also believes that all coolant changes outs should be done with a 50/50 mix of mineral-FREE water and coolant. Using water with minerals (tap water) can and will promote the scaling of the cooling system. In some cars, FORD included, DISTILLED water is specifically called for and in fact, such labels are attached to some cars.
4. Aside accidents, two mechanical issues send most cars to the local junkyards: timing chain failure & headgasket leaks. The cost of repairing those two issues often exceeds the market value of the cars.
.
.
https://www.cadillacforum.com/forum/...ad.php?t=10077
you better believe that if the aluminum in radiators and any other power train components is being corroded, so is your ENGINE BLOCK and HEADGASKETS.
By far, headgasket failures is the number ONE issue that we see in this site. No other issue comes to us with more frequency.
The "official" 5 year maintenance cycle is not enough for many cars .. it may enough for most of the fleet, but if you are one of the unlucky ones facing a $3,000 headgasket repair bill, you will wish that the coolant had been changed every two years.
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Last edited by stomper; 11-11-2009 at 11:32 AM.
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