[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: bmw coolant, water wetter

Ian wrote:
>What you want is a phosphate-free antifreeze, which won't corrode your
>aluminum cooling system.  BMW's is phosphate-free, and most American
>brands are not.  

Ian (and others); Why does the presence of phosphate speed corrosion
of aluminum? I am curious because I have been thinking of upgrading my
'02 to a 320i aluminum radiator (I hear it is supposed to provide
better cooling power). I just bought some "PEAK" anti-freeze, US-made,
which claims to "protect all metals used in all cooling systems, 
including aluminum."  However, among the ingredients is dipotassium
phosphate. The antifreeze also contains "corrosion inhibitors."  Maybe
these counter the effect of the phosphate? What is going on here?

Also, I have been interested in using Redline Water Wetter in my cooling
system during the warm weather months. Somewhere recently I read that
water wetter can lower coolant temperatures by up to 30 F! My questions
are (1) is anyone on the digest using this stuff (IT racers?), and 
(2) what effect, if any, is seen? 

TIA,

- --Fred Beck /// '73 tii  /// Boston, MA