How do you check Antifreeze?

[stustag]

Hi Guys

What equipment do I need to check the strength of my antifreeze mix currently in the car?

Considering the last three days have been -4 to -5C here I just want a bit of piece of mind!:?

Stuart

[Kevin Garrod]

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Hi, I did a quick search

http://www.ccw-tools.com/product.asp...31&af=1792

cheap enough!

[dogsnadgers]

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Hi

You go to a car accessory shop and buy a little tester, I have an old one and back then they were only a couple of quid, don't know how much they are now, they consist of graduated pipette with a ball in it. Simply suck up a bit of coolant and height of the ball marks the percentage of antifreeze.

Dave

[stustag]

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Cheers guys, I'll get one tomorrow from town. Cheap aren't they and with a Stag a pretty good tool to have to hand when changing the coolant!

Stuart

[GDPR]

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They are still only a couple of quid - the last one I bought (3 months ago) was a nice sized Draper one and £1.99 from my local motor factors before my trade discount (been dealing with them for 30 years so still get trade - I even get my MOTs trade at £40very handy when you run 3 cars and 2 of them are over 17 years old)

[stustag]

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Just bought antifreeze checker, there is no antifreeze in my system:shock:.

Just going out now to change the WATER for Coolant! See you later.:X

Stuart

[GDPR]

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Whoops! Won't do that again I hope Stuart....:shock:

[stustag]

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Was not me, the previous owner entrusted all work to the local garage! Just proves my own thoughts, do it your self you know its been done then!

Drianed the water from the rad and block, just going to put it back together and re fill with 33% coolant

Just a thought is this why my car runs so cool, no antifreeze would mean better cooling yes?

Stuart

[seaside bill]

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Stuart

Water is a better coolant than antifreeze so could be... mix your antifreeze with distilled water - your water ways will love you for it.

[stustag]

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Yes just purchase 10L of distilled water £14 :shock:but anything goes for my precious, took ages to fill put about 61/2 - 7L in the radiator.

I'm just charging the battery (not got a new one yet!) then will see how much more is needed.

I'm assuming the coolant in the heater does not all come out? the whole system takes 10.5L so 3L or so must be in the heater?:?

Stuart

[Stagdad]

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stustag wrote:

Just a thought is this why my car runs so cool, no antifreeze would mean better cooling yes?

Stuart

Could be that 72 stat Stu

Steve

[stustag]

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Job done and now protected to -20C . Found out why heater wasn't working, cable broken! so bonus until I try and fix that fault!:?

My temp guage still only rises to 1/4 when hot at tickover, dare not drive any where until I have a new battery, auto's don't like it when the electrics die:shock:.

I'd recommend the antifreeze checker to anyone for only £2 it probably has saved me £1000'sof engine damage!

Stuart

[redstag]

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Hi Stuart

My temp guage was the same and always used to sit on 1/4 when hot although checking with a thermometer indicated the engine temp was normal. Have you checked the actual temperature when it is hot?

Problem turned out to be the temperature sender. I replaced it and the needle now sits dead centre. Have a look at ldpart.co.uk for senders.

Pete

[stustag]

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Hi Pete

I have checked and I think your right also found out stat is definetly 82 degree from Rimmer.

72 degree was tyoing error on my behalf.

Stuart

[dogsnadgers]

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stustag wrote:

Yes just purchase 10L of distilled water £14 :shock:

Stuart

Fliippin eck, I got 10 litres for £7 from my local Motor Factors (and I thought that was dear!)