"Galvistation" - WHAAAAAA?

[ERMiles]

My cousin just bought a '99 ram diesel and when she (yes, she) was talking to the dealer service guy abut getting it checked out, he asked when was the last time the coolant was flushed. He said that the coolant should be flushed at least every 2 years or terrible things will happen like the block will "galvistate" which he described as an electrolysis process that erodes the block if there's diesel in the coolant.



Is this true????:--)

 

[DBF]

I think the word being miscommunicated is "cavitation". See the link below for an explanation.



http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?Cavitation Analysis



It can be a problem in Phord Powerstrokes, but the Cummins is far less susceptible to it.



The Cummins' massive block around the cylinders ensures the cylinder walls don't expand and contract rapidly and thus cause cavitation in the coolant surrounding the cylinder walls.



If you need more on this, I'll try to help.



DBF



PS: It has *nothing* to do with diesel in the coolant.



PPS: Why don't you sign her up as a member of TDR? We could use another perspective at times.

 

[Underdog]

As a side note, I noticed that Walmart has finally started

selling silicate free,phosphate free,Prestone antifreeze.

$ 6. 97 a gallon. 5 year,150,000 mi.

 

[dusthomps]

I add a product made by Baldwin Filters to my coolant to protect from cavitation. Been a while since I treated my trucks so I can't remember what it's exactly called off hand. I plan on checking it once every two years as it comes with some test strips to see how much additive you need. And for $3. 50 a bottle I can't go wrong, just a little extra insurance.

 

[Paychk]

According to Cummins, coolant additives are unnecessary for our engines.



http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/....cfm?uuid=44F00EAE-FC52-11D3-984A0004AC33EA57