I found this TSB from Ford and I do not understand how slowing the water down will stop electrolysis. Anybody have any thoughts?


Heater Core - Repeated Failure<O:p</O:p

Article No.<O:p</O:p

01-15-6 <O:p</O:p

08/06/01<O:p</O:p

CLIMATE CONTROL - REPEAT HEATER CORE FAILURE <O:p</O:p

1985-1994 TEMPO<O:p</O:p
1985-1997 THUNDERBIRD<O:p</O:p
1985-2002 CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, MUSTANG<O:p</O:p
1986-2002 TAURUS<O:p</O:p
1988-1993 FESTIVA<O:p</O:p
1993-1997 PROBE<O:p</O:p
1994-1997 ASPIRE<O:p</O:p
1995-2000 CONTOUR<O:p</O:p
2000-2002 ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS<O:p</O:p
2002 THUNDERBIRD<O:p</O:p
1985-1990 BRONCO II<O:p</O:p
1985-1996 BRONCO<O:p</O:p
1985-1997 F-250 HD, F-350<O:p</O:p
1985-2002 ECONOLINE, F-150, RANGER<O:p</O:p
1986-1997 AEROSTAR<O:p</O:p
1988-1997 F SUPER DUTY<O:p</O:p
1991-2002 EXPLORER1995-2002 WINDSTAR<O:p</O:p
1997-2002 EXPEDITION<O:p</O:p
1999-2002 SUPER DUTY F SERIES<O:p</O:p
2000-2002 EXCURSION<O:p</O:p
2001-2002 ESCAPE, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT
<O:p</O:p
LINCOLN:<O:p</O:p
1985-1992 MARK VII<O:p</O:p
1985-2002 CONTINENTAL, TOWN CAR<O:p</O:p
1993-1998 MARK VIII<O:p</O:p
2000-2002 GLS<O:p</O:p
1998-2002 NAVIGATOR <O:p</O:p

MERCURY:<O:p</O:p
1985-1994 TOPAZ
1985-1997 COUGAR<O:p</O:p
1985-2002 GRAND MARQUIS<O:p</O:p
1986-2002 SABLE<O:p</O:p
1991-1999 TRACER<O:p</O:p
1995-2000 MYSTIQUE<O:p</O:p
1999-2002 COUGAR<O:p</O:p
1993-2002 VILLAGER<O:p</O:p
1997-2001 MOUNTAINEER <O:p</O:p

ISSUE<O:p</O:p

Some vehicles may exhibit (repeat) heater core leaks. This may be caused by a chemical reaction called electrolysis. Electrolysis involves an ion exchange between the heater core and engine coolant, which can result in a breakdown of the heater core material. This is similar to the operation of a battery. <O:p</O:p

ACTION Check for electrolysis on any vehicle with a heater core failure. If electrolysis is verified, flush the coolant and follow additional steps as required. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details. <O:p</O:p

SERVICE PROCEDURE<O:p</O:p

Electrolysis Inspection<O:p</O:p

If there is a condition of a heater core leaking or repeal heater core leak, check for electrolysis using the following procedure: <O:p</O:p
To check for electrolysis use a DVOM set on DC volts. Place the positive probe of the meter in the engine coolant and the negative probe on the negative battery post.<O:p</O:p
Adjust engine throttle to 2000 RPM to properly get coolant flow and true electrolysis voltages. <O:p</O:p
If more than .4V is recorded, flush the coolant and recheck(follow guidelines in TSB 98-23-16 for Cougar). See Coolant Fill Procedure below to remove trapped air on 4.6/5.4/6.8L modular engines. <O:p</O:p

EXPORT MARKETS; BE SURE THE WATER IS DESALINATED. <O:p</O:p

If there is still excessive voltage present in the coolant, check the engine to body/battery grounds. Also, verify proper grounding of any aftermarket electrical/electronic equipment, which has been installed into the vehicle. Improperly grounded electrical devices can cause electrolysis to occur. If the condition is still present after the grounds have been checked, it may be<O:p</O:p
necessary to add extra grounds to the heater core and engine. A hose clamp can be used to secure a 16 AWG stranded copper wire to the heater core inlet tube. The other end should be secured to an EXISTING FASTENER on the body sheet metal. Extra grounds to the engine should be attached between EXISTING FASTENERS on the engine and body sheet metal. Verify continuity of any added grounds to the negative battery terminal. If the condition is still present, add a restrictor (part F1UZ-18 D406-A) on the<O:p</O:p
inlet hose with the arrow facing the direction of coolant flow (toward heatercore). Cut the line and install with 2 hose clamps. It is important that the restrictor be installed in the right direction of flow and as close to the engine block as possible (not near the heater core itself).<O:p</O:p

 

if this is happening to you then check the radiator for electrolysis if it is pressent then do the following add a graound to the radiator to sheet metal and then one from your core to the sheet metal..and inspect all other engine to frame and engine to body grounds