Every car user knows which systems and components of a vehicle are essential for it to be able to be said that it can be driven. Without an engine, gearbox, we will not move. Without brakes and efficient suspension, driving will be difficult. Sometimes we will drive with "bald" tires. Therefore, there are important and less important elements in our eyes. One of such underestimated systems is the cooling system . Usually, its operation is not visible until the warning light comes on. And let's hope the failure is not serious and expensive. Some events can be avoided. You just need to have the right knowledge and prevent events, and not repair their expensive consequences.
In the case of cooling systems, let's focus on the quality problems of rigid (metal) pipes . These are elements that are often neglected in prevention and replaced only when the coolant leaks and the warning light comes on.
Corroded pipe
As you can see in the illustration, these pipes corrode. They are affected by two factors: the liquid inside the system and the external environment such as water and salt from the road. When the pipe corrodes so much that the coolant escapes from the system, we know very well that this can even cause irreversible damage, and certainly significant repair costs for the cooled vehicle component. It is a good idea to inspect the cooling system pipes in the fall and spring to check the state of corrosion. If the corrosion is serious, the metal pipe should be replaced.
And here we face a dilemma: what to choose?
Painted pipe
Among the products available on the market, we can find those that are very well protected against corrosion and ensure effective operation of the system for many years. The most durable pipes can be recognized by powder coating.
Here we can encounter two protection technologies. The first uses a steel pipe, the so-called black, which undergoes a cataphoresis process after which powder coating is performed. The second technology uses steel pipes, coated on both sides with a thin layer of aluminum, which are then powder coated after the processing process is completed.
Both technologies provide very good anti-corrosion protection and long product life. On the market, you can also find pipes made of black steel covered with aluminum on both sides, but not powder coated.
Aluminum water pipe
Most cheap substitutes are made in this way. It seems that the aluminum coating should protect against corrosion as well as painting. This is only apparent. The pipe may lose some of its aluminum coating as a result of processing and corrosion will quickly appear in these places. Superficial wet painting will not help much, because it only protects the pipe to a small extent and only on the outside. In the case of welding steel elements covered with aluminum, there is no anti-corrosion protection at the weld. Only additional painting provides this protection.
In addition, the pipe may be damaged during the bending process, where the material is pulled where the bending clamp holds it, and the surface of the pipe is torn off. In these places, there is no protective coating of aluminum, and corrosion will often occur here.
Photo with a trace of the bending machine lock
Another qualitative factor that should be paid attention to is maintaining an even flow of liquid in the pipe along its entire length.
What is it about? It is about avoiding products that show obvious distortion of the pipe.
Pipe crushed by pipe clamp
Smaller bend radius
It is also reprehensible to make the pipe from a material with a smaller diameter than intended by the car manufacturer.
Pipe with too small cross-section
Dirty pipe
These defects will prevent the coolant from circulating through the system at the right pace. This will expose the engine and other cooled components to excessive heating and faster wear. The effects of this defect will appear covertly, unnoticeably, unless we catch this defect before installing the pipe on the vehicle.
The last element to pay attention to is the cleanliness of the pipes inside. It is unacceptable to install pipes in the cooling system that are dirty with metal filings or oil. And we can expect such dirt when we are dealing with pipes that are not subject to the washing process. Unfortunately, there are many such products on the market.
When choosing a new product, consider not only the price, but also the knowledge of what is behind the price . Consider the benefits in the price/quality ratio.
