Technical Antifreeze Testing

[Yolanda]

Something strange happened today I was testing some pre mixed antifreeze with a floating disc type tester. When the tube filled up 4 discs floated to the top indicating about _ 35c Leaving it stood for about 30 secs two of the discs started slowly dropping down one at a time eventually leaving the top two in place indicating -15c I don't think the tester's faulty as I tried it on a Mercedes whereby 5 discs floated up indicating 40+c and stayed there. Has anyone experienced this before.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Ah thats ready to use. Good stuff..... Great value....

I prefer to mix my own. It sgows checking is worthwhile though!

 

[koalar]

That type of tester was original for testing ethylene glycol antifreeze antifreeze

Do they work reliably on every type of antifreeze

I don't know the answer, sure some will come along shortly

Looks like some non toxic versions of antifreeze would need a different calibrated hydrometer according to a quick Google search

 

[bugsymike]

I prefer to mix my own. It sgows checking is worthwhile though!

Same as screenwash additive ready to use, I object to paying for water!!!

 

[Yolanda]

That type of tester was original for testing ethylene glycol antifreeze antifreeze

Do they work reliably on every type of antifreeze

I don't know the answer, sure some will come along shortly

Looks like some non toxic versions of antifreeze would need a different calibrated hydrometer according to a quick Google search

Both antifreezes mentioned were ethylene glycol. Having Done a bit more research the first antifreeze tested was a 50/50 mix of a -35c concentrate.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I buy concentrate from the local factor and mix 50/50 with deionized water - used to use distilled water but it's quite difficult to find now. I thought deionized was a good idea but I came across a you tube the other day which advised against it because the deionized water can "rob" ions from the metal of the engine which isn't good? I'm going to try to track down a local supplier of genuine distilled water.

Actually, I'm much more concerned with maintaining a good level of the additives in the antifreeze - corrosion inhibitor in particularly - so I drain and renew the antifreeze in all the family vehicles every 5 years (They're all on OAT based fluid these days)

 

[koalar]

Both antifreezes mentioned were ethylene glycol. Having Done a bit more research the first antifreeze tested was a 50/50 mix of a -35c concentrate.

I didn't see any mention of what type was used

More common and Toxic Mono ethylene Glycol

Requires a different tester to

Less common and less toxic Mono propylene Glycol

Both available as red OAT antifreeze

Temperature affects the results, not much unless it's mostly water

My guess is bubbles were on the discs, as they escaped the discs sank, so the result after the wait is the more accurate if it's the more common type of anti freeze it's saying -15, what happens if you run the test again

 

[jrkitching]

Actually, I'm much more concerned with maintaining a good level of the additives in the antifreeze - corrosion inhibitor in particularly

Me too.

But if you're concerned about whether the frost protection is adequate, put a small sample in a suitable container and place it overnight in a domestic freezer. This should be around -22C; if it doesn't freeze at that, it'll cope with anything you're likely to encounter in the UK.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Me too.

But if you're concerned about whether the frost protection is adequate, put a small sample in a suitable container and place it overnight in a domestic freezer. This should be around -22C; if it doesn't freeze at that, it'll cope with anything you're likely to encounter in the UK.

With several different types of antifreeze in use I think that's a wonderfully simple, elegant and probably accurate way of doing it!

Edit. Not very practical for workshop use where a customer's car is only there briefly but great for the enthusiast.

 

[Yolanda]

I've just put some in the freezer, so we'll see tomorrow.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I buy concentrate from the local factor and mix 50/50 with deionized water - used to use distilled water but it's quite difficult to find now. I thought deionized was a good idea but I came across a you tube the other day which advised against it because the deionized water can "rob" ions from the metal of the engine which isn't good? I'm going to try to track down a local supplier of genuine distilled water.

Actually, I'm much more concerned with maintaining a good level of the additives in the antifreeze - corrosion inhibitor in particularly - so I drain and renew the antifreeze in all the family vehicles every 5 years (They're all on OAT based fluid these days)

I use the stuff from our dehunidifier. Its pH is much much lower than tap water here.

 

[bugsymike]

I use the stuff from our dehunidifier. Its pH is much much lower than tap water here.

To be honest we live in a soft water area and have no issues with "furring up" kettles etc. Always use the local water for topping up cars and even for batteries in the old days with no problem at all.
I remember as an apprentice in 1969 we had carboys of battery acid and distilled water and when I couldn't find the distilled water asked the boss and his reply was "second tap on the left" .

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I use the stuff from our dehunidifier. Its pH is much much lower than tap water here.

'fraid we don't have a dehumidifier.

To be honest we live in a soft water area and have no issues with "furring up" kettles etc. Always use the local water for topping up cars and even for batteries in the old days with no problem at all.
I remember as an apprentice in 1969 we had carboys of battery acid and distilled water and when I couldn't find the distilled water asked the boss and his reply was "second tap on the left" .

We're not plagued by furring in kettles, central heating systems etc and I know our mains water is described as "soft". I know people used to top up batteries and radiators with it. Back when batteries had screw in tops I've done it myself. However back then engines were typically cast iron and batteries didn't have "fancy" electrolytes. I just wonder about "trace elements" and stuff the water companies add when purifying? Have to agree with Mike that I don't like paying for water in the ready mixed stuff - it is very convenient though and I presume they make it with distilled water?

 

[bugsymike]

. I just wonder about "trace elements" and stuff the water companies add when purifying? Have to agree with Mike that I don't like paying for water in the ready mixed stuff - it is very convenient though and I presume they make it with distilled water?

My sister in Hampshire has the "kettle furring and my other sister in London does, although she also has the added pleasure of much more "recycled water", the joke is "it is passed by Royalty.

 

[Yolanda]

I've just put some in the freezer, so we'll see tomorrow.

So in the freezer last night about 5 took it out this morning at 7.30 and it was the same as it went in. I tested the temp of the freezer to be about -24c so that was a good result. According to my tester which is the correct one for Ethelene Glycol it was good for -15c So I might get a refractometer tester which are more accurate and can be used on all types of A/freeze