Zinc radiator caps

CATCH AND EAT · 11-10-2003, 04:16 PM

Had a sales person come by last week with something that I had not seen before. Sacrificial Anode Radiator caps. Prevents erosion from the inside of the system. And he also had a product called Interject coolant additive. The caps are made by Stant and I will be putting one in my boat.

Anyone else seen these babies on the market or have I live a bit of a shelter salt life?

Phil Layer · 11-11-2003, 06:54 AM

I've never seen them but want them.

Where do you find them?

fish assassin · 11-11-2003, 07:06 AM

My question is "why"? Are there inboards or I/Os that do NOT have pencil zinks
in the heat exchangers? I thought all heat exchangers had these? If not, then
the zinc in the radiator cap is a great idea!!

-assAssin-

CATCH AND EAT · 11-11-2003, 10:15 AM

Mac's Radiator here in Portland is promoting these items made by Stant. Pretty cool and I'm getting one. There number is in the yellow pages under Radiators.

edsr · 11-11-2003, 01:59 PM

When there is a reaction to the zinc will there be a corresponding deposit of some kind that might be detrimental to the interior of the engine? In a closed system like a radiator with modern coolants isn't there already somekind of corrosion resistant additive in the mix itself and wouldn't it be just as effective to drain the radiator and put in new coolant semi-annually/ annually?
How would this work on big outboards?
edsr

CATCH AND EAT · 11-11-2003, 04:19 PM

I'll check into that for ya Ed. I will have an answer tomorrow afternoon. Got a internet conference/training session from 730 to 1130am. Thanks for asking.

edsr · 11-13-2003, 09:44 AM

Couldn't resist - It was kind of like looking for the radiator cap on a Volkswagen Beetle. :smile: :smile:

Miss B Haven · 11-15-2003, 09:13 AM

This doesn't make sense if you have fresh water cooling. The "cap" is on the freshwater (anitfreeze) side of the system. Antifreeze already contains metals etc to prevent corrosion in you engine.
The point aboive is good too, zinks do fall apart in chunks. Won't hurt your heat exchanger ( they just fall to the bottom) but I wouldn't want a piece geting stuck in a head passagway or going through the water pump impellor.

11-15-2003, 12:29 PM

I agree with FA and Miss B,

Many coolant systems are pressurized and a cap that is rotten isn't going to work. Use the pencil zinks that are made to go in your block and heat exchanger.