Battery corrosion = Blown Head gasket?

[MDarius]

So, after taking a second to actually think about this, and with your additional Rosetta stone interpretations, I fixed my response to him. There might be some tech in here yet!

''Now that I’m not just offended and can actually look at the facts presented, I’ll try to explain this, but you might not get it.

Your original comments said, “the battery is located very close to the radiator. Coolant can become very corrosive and this is also known as electrolysis (incorrect: Electrolysis is a metallurgical phenomena that occurs when two dissimilar metals are connected together. This phenomena causes an electron flow to move between the two dissimilar metals causing the weaker metal to fail.)

A battery that is covered in battery acid and corrosion will add to the (electrolytic capacity, NOT the…) level of corrosion in the cooling system. This corrosion (caused by electrolysis) can eat away at gaskets, seals and metal that (the current passes through, NOT…) it comes in contact with.”

This leads the reader to believe that because the battery is located near the radiator (irrelevant) a corrosive battery will add corrosive elements to the coolant (irrelevant and incorrect)What you talked about in your scientific explanation in your previous post was electrolysis and had nothing to do with what you stated originally.

While your scientific explanation is not 100% correct, the theory is kind of sound. Run your ohmmeter over the aluminum block to measure resistance, then stick the probes in some coolant. Tell me which has a higher resistance. The aluminum is a better conductor, even with old coolant. The moving coolant at operating temperatures may change this number though. However, the ground bolt does create a path for electricity. Passing eletrical current between dissimilar metals will cause corrosion.

Your original statement still doesn’t make sense to me, but I can see where you were trying to go after receiving the further clarification. Thanks for the explanation.''

 

[motorsargeT]

Just got home from work and after discussing this with co-workers we decided this is pure horsepoop. Where was this guy back in the day when theses motors were first leaking like crazy with LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THEM. I highly doubt the coolant was corrosive enough at that point to degrade the gaskets like they were. Before Subaru came out with the WWP-99 recall for the coolant conditioner we were doing on average 5-6 sets of headgaskets a day on these motors(8 people in the shop).

"The gasket on the left side is always the one to leak coolant period" Bull&*#t.. By Far the most common side but not the only one, period. My shop is even in this economy putting on average 40 -50 cars a day through it. And some are leaking out of the passenger side headgasket.

Oh and I also studied automotive technology, served as a Motor Sergeant in the US Army, and am a certified Subaru Master Technician. I will also be teaching automotive technology in the fall if everything works out so I hope I am qualified enough for this guy!

Now about using "Better" Gaskets from one of the other motors I can't say that I would definately recommend it. I do know of one person who used Phase 1(DOHC) gaskets in his phase 2(SOHC) and it worked fine but those gaskets are not made for it, are thicker and the torque specs were anyones guess. YMMV.

 

[1973Guppie]

amazing, this is why you don't believe everything you read on the internet.....

 

[80t0ylc]

So, what DOES cause the corrosion on the battery hold down clamp, where it doesn't actually touch the cables or posts? Mine's in pretty bad shape. Looking for a little science here.

Anyway, I just noticed after all this "wisdom", no one ever answered your secondary question. If I may, this little painted metal strap sometimes will get the paint scratched down to the bare metal. This can happen from, say, changing the battery to dropping a tool on it. OK, the paint is scratched and the metal exposed. When, not if, either acidic fumes from the battery or fluid boiled out from either over charging the battery or overfilling it comes in contact with the bare metal, it starts the white corrosion that we're so familiar with. The colored felt washers(sometimes treated) that you can buy help to keep this from happening to your terminals. You can also get spray treatment for your terminals or some people coat them with grease. The point is: exposed bare metal around your battery, especially if its been over filled or over charged (which causes the fluid to boil out the vents) will corrode and will continue to grow (like the proverbial chia) if unchecked. HTH

EDIT: One small point that I omitted. It is a good idea to clean the bare metal before repainting with a solution of water and baking soda. This seems to effectively clean the acid from the metal.

 

[MDarius]

Anyway, I just noticed after all this "wisdom", no one ever answered your secondary question. If I may, this little painted metal strap sometimes will get the paint scratched down to the bare metal. This can happen from, say, changing the battery to dropping a tool on it. OK, the paint is scratched and the metal exposed. When, not if, either acidic fumes from the battery or fluid boiled out from either over charging the battery or overfilling it comes in contact with the bare metal, it starts the white corrosion that we're so familiar with. The colored felt washers(sometimes treated) that you can buy help to keep this from happening to your terminals. You can also get spray treatment for your terminals or some people coat them with grease. The point is: exposed bare metal around your battery, especially if its been over filled or over charged (which causes the fluid to boil out the vents) will corrode and will continue to grow (like the proverbial chia) if unchecked. HTH

EDIT: One small point that I omitted. It is a good idea to clean the bare metal before repainting with a solution of water and baking soda. This seems to effectively clean the acid from the metal.

Thanks! That's great info.

 

[MikePL]

We forgot one obvious thing in all this crappy theory. No matter if the battery cables are good or corroded, electricity always passes through all the vehicle's components. So the 'path of least resistance' doesn't change inside the engine because its properties do not change. Alright, I will back up because this odd topic is driving me crazy. On the other hand this is interesting how human beings can chat on something pointless, LOL