View Single Post
Old 02-10-2013, 01:01 AM   #18 (permalink)
Tesla
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 355

The Truck - '02 Nissan GU Patrol ST
Thanks: 5
Thanked 76 Times in 50 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ View Post
The radiator is generally electrically neutral, being attached only by/through rubber grommets and holds. The engine is generally tied as a ground point, and the coolant flows through the block, which would essentially make the radiator a ground through a liquid conductor.
I came across this potential difference in the coolant system a while back and I believe it is just the simple electrolyte battery principle, initially I thought I should earth my radiator, then after some careful consideration that if engine block is negative terminal and aluminium radiator core is positive terminal, by shorting the terminals I would my turn my radiator into a sacraficial anode, maybe not such a wise move.

That's why modern radiators are insulated from the body with insulators or plastic ends to the aluminium radiators.
  Reply With Quote