Coolant filters and galvanic corrosion

[EW57]

Greetings, I’ve been lurking for sometime now and I don’t hear much discussion regarding coolant filters and galvanic reaction/corrosion, Is this an issue when using filters, specifically spin-on type, and if not, how is this possible?

I’d like to use/play with a coolant filter in the return line of my pressurized reservoir tank, but definitely not if it causes rust/corrosion.

Thanks!

 

[Garak]

I don't have any first hand experience with spin-on coolant filters, but I have read about some of the kits out there. I know that Napa makes a kit and supplies filters (with varying levels of SCA, or no SCA if one chooses). Wix makes coolant filters. I believe Summit Racing had kits at one time or at least links to some.

I would suspect the construction of a spin-on coolant filter might be a little different than a spin-on oil filter. How different? That's a good question.

 

[Bluestream]

Why do you think you need to filter your coolant?

 

[Kestas]

How will the coolant filter cause corrosion? Corrosion only occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte. If the metal components are electrically separated, such as by rubber hoses, there should be no corrosion.

I'll admit I don't know how these filters are plumbed into the cooling system, so I may be missing something here.

 

[EW57]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Why do you think you need to filter your coolant?


I dont "need" one, I was just concerned by the amount of grit and other crud I found while flushing the radiator recently.

I have a remote filter mount from another project & found that Wix has a 3/4" threaded coolant filter with no added chemicals (24430) and thought that time-wise, it may be easier/cheaper than the flushing process with this motor (2.7L V6 dodge).

Removing the thermostat is no easy task with this motor, so I drained, refilled/burped the system, and drove for a few days, repeating this process four times and still had grit (and G05). The whole process took about 45 minutes on average.

Originally Posted By: Kestas
How will the coolant filter cause corrosion? Corrosion only occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte. If the metal components are electrically separated, such as by rubber hoses, there should be no corrosion.


I also admit to not having a firm grasp on the phsyics involved, but I figured most remote mounts are cast aluminum directly in contact with a (I assume) steel-bodied filter and whatever else makes up the construction of said filter.

Thanks again for the input guys, I appreciate it!

 

[gomes512]

My understanding is that aluminum is a higher galvanic series than steel, which I presume the filter is made of.

In that case I would expect slow corrosion at the filter which is a usable item anyhow.

Would the corrosion inhibitors in the coolant further slow this process down?

 

[mechanicx]

It is the job of the anti-freeze's inhibitors to stop corrosion, galvanic, electoylitic or whatever. If your coolant filter was corroding then so would be the rest of your cooling system and engine.

 

[Texan4Life]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
It is the job of the anti-freeze's inhibitors to stop corrosion, galvanic, electoylitic or whatever. If your coolant filter was corroding then so would be the rest of your cooling system and engine.


+1