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Did a forum search, sure someone mentioned it, but couldn't find it !
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Presume you mean test it for concentration of antifreeze in the water ? You can buy a small tester cheaply from most motor shops which is effectively a mini hydometer which will indicate by floating coloured balls what the percentage concentration is. You can do it with an ordinary hydrometer but I cant remember what the readings would be.
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Most motorist centres will sell you a small hydrometer with 4 or 5 different coloured balls inside. The more balls that float when you fill it with liquid, the higher level of frost protection you'll have. As for testing the corrosion inhibiters, I don't think there is a way. Rule of thumb is to change it every few years; and if not sure of the cars history, then change it shortly after buying the car.
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Oops, typed that before I saw Claude's post.
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Anti-freeze has 2 functions - antifreeze and anti-corrosion. The first is easy to test - get some out of the radiator and stick it in the freezer overnight - still liquid in the morning OK, slushy marginal, solid bad. Checking the corrosion part is a bit more difficult, but checking the pH is probably the way to go - less than about 10 means the corrosion inhibitors are spent and the coolant should be replaced. See this link for all the info you never wanted on coolants:
www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr110046.htm
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
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pH - that's it - where can you get a pH test kit from ?
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arnold2
I'm not sure if this is the cheapest place to get them from, but i have a pH testing kit for my fishtank that would probably do the job, cost about £4 IIRC
Although on second thoughts im not entirely sure it goes as far as pH 10+
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If you have Propylene Glycol antifreeze then you cannot use the common hydrometer to check the coolant. As stated in: www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr110046.htm
An anti freeze hydrometer will check the more common Ethylene Glycol as stated in earlier posts.
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The first is easy to test - get some out of the radiator and stick it in the freezer overnight - still liquid in the morning OK, slushy marginal, solid bad.
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Oh yeah! love it. Now that's inspiration. The simple solutions are always the best.
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Very obvious, but I can't resist! Don't suck the anti-freeze out with your mouth and a tube; it's very poisonous. Use a syringe!
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Fair advice, bertj. But although antifreeze labels carry Poison warnings, I don't think there is anything in it to be scared of - otherwise it would be 'banned' like lead paint. A good idea to keep it out of one's mouth, naturally. But glycol is a close relative of glycerol, which is used in pill coatings and suchlike.
Not so sure about the corrosion inhibitors - benzoates?
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Andrew: I'm sure you're correct but I still wouldn't want a mouthful!
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Ethylene Glycol is poisonous, people often use it mixed with tinned fish to kill cats which are a nuisance in the garden. Some makes seem to have a bittering agent added.
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The time honoured testing method is to dip a finger into and taste the radiator water.
Very sweet is OK. Medium sweet - could do with another pint of antifreeze. Dry - needs full antifreeze treatment.
I suppose a syringe and tasting glass would be better for the ultra cautious.
I'm not suggesting this method for modern 'coolants' though.
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Ethylene Glycol made a guest appearance in the news in the 1980s when Austrian wines had it added to make them sweeter. The headlines were quite something for those who remember (I was very little at the time!)
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Ethylene Glycol made a guest appearance in the news in the 1980s when Austrian wines had it added to make them sweeter. The headlines were quite something for those who remember (I was very little at the time!)
Yes that's right I remember that well.
I syphoned a bit out of my expansion tank the other day and I'm still here. But to be cautious use a clear plastic tube to syhon, that way you can stop sucking just before it gets in your mouth, but you have to pay attention.
Going off topic, inline aero engines in WW2 used to have a seperate glycol tank. Were they using 100% glycol for their coolant?
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Thanks for the tip Sooty Tailpipes, Watch out cats
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I think that the local moggies are about to taste "Chateau Bluecol 1999" Yee-haa!
:-))
rg
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Mono-Ethylene glycol is very toxic, it kills everything. A lethal dose for a child is (I read somewhere) about a teaspoonful. I've also come across information on the internet about using it as a wood preservative. The coolant solution would be diluted MEG.
Propylene glycol is non-toxic and is used as a food sweetener; it's so sweet that it will put your teeth on edge, apparently. It's used in some heating systems (mainly in the US) where there is an indirectly heated water heater and so a risk of contamination of the domestic water supply. The 'time honoured testing method' in such cases is to dip a finger into a leak and taste it to see whether whether it is propylene glycol.
One memorable story involved a new heating installation in a domestic garage. The installer returned some days after filling the system and, on entering the garage, noticed a pool near the new boiler. Testing it in the usual manner he realised that it wasn't propylene glycol and wondered what it could be. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom in the garage he noticed a large alsation dog looking at him from a corner.
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