Corroded beyond repair? Not uncommon? Unless the machinist who told you> After relacing nearly every reciprocating part in my well-worn TC xpag
> engine, we discovered, after machining for new sleeves, that the block
> is badly corroded and beyond repair (apparently not uncommon). I have
> owned 4195 for 17 years and have always used an engine coolant
> concentrate, mixing 1/3 to 2/3 water as directed.
that has extensive experience with the XPAG engine, don't believe
it. Where is this corrosion? How was it discovered? Your message was
short on details, but it sounds like the boring tool may have broken
through the cylinder wall and into the water jacket while boring the block
to accept sleeves. That isn't unknown, but I wouldn't call it common
UNLESS the machinist was planning to use thick-wall sleeves necessitating
an unusually large overbore. How much water jacket was exposed? You may
still be able to sleeve the block safely.
Did you flush the cooling system and install new coolant (at least a 50%
solution) every couple of years? If so, you shouldn't blame yourself or
the coolant. As I'm sure you know, coolant doesn't lose its anti-freeze
capability over time but it does lose it's ability to prevent corrosion.
If you don't change it every couple of years, you're in trouble.
You also don't know how the cooling system was maintained during the first
45 years of the car's life. Back when these cars were new alcohol-based
antifreeze was still popular, although not recommended by car
manufacturers, and it had no anti-corrosion properties. It was also still
common practice to drain the antifreeze in the Spring and run on plain
water from then until Fall. Or maybe the previous owner(s) just never
bothered to flush and refill on a regular basis.
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