Date:         Sat, 15 May 2010 10:07:59 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: What to soak radiator in to dissolve slime
Comments: To: VWBrain@aol.com
In-Reply-To:  <d402e.62f1571d.392027fb@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

oh, one more thing, draino instructions warns not to use on aluminium :)

but hey, I'm just sayin. Not telling you not to use it, just stating
the facts and not an opinion.

I know the reaction, between Al and NaOH, makes any other discussion
about corrosion, dissimilar metals, heard/soft water in vanagon
cooling system pretty moot.

alistair

On 15-May-10, at 9:38 AM, VWBrain@aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 5/15/2010 12:24:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
albell@SHAW.CA writes:
this "advice" I will give you is only based on my other experiences
with strong bases and aluminium, and not meant to pooh pooh draino
advice, but be careful with draino, its lye, sodium hydroxide, and
strong solutions will eat the aluminium up lickety split.

I'd be very very careful.

alistair
Well we do mix it with water and I do know that of the dozen we have
had to do like this have had no bad effects.  that has held true for
more than 2 years for some of them.   Also isn't a lot of p traps and
such made from aluminium??? and even plastic???  as normal YMMV and
somebody always is a naysayer   !   but it has worked. but I do cover
my butt and tell the customer that I can't gaurantee anything doing
it like such  later  mark d