coolant testing methods

[don.dd]

what is the best method for evaluating engine coolant condition?

test strips? voltage? other?

thanks!

[mmotley]

We use test strips. Honestly though, we don't find many that fail. Not that I want to sell something that's not needed, but I'd love to find more opportunities to sell it.

[bluewater182]

Test strips and freeze pint only show the base condition, not the degradation of the additives.  When in doubt, throw it out. I try to get the customers to change coolant every 3 years.  Some are hesitant, their call.  But coolant is cheap insurance.

[mmotley]

Unfortunately, with some of the coolant capacities of cars these days and using an expensive flush machine, hitting your margins and paying your techs enough time does not come out too cheap after it's all said and done.

[Eurobahn]

Following things should be considered to evaluating engine coolant condition:
1. The quality of the liquid in the system
2. How frequently you’ve added water and how much you’ve added:
3. What kind of climate you live in
4. How often you use your car’s air conditioner

[bstewart]

Visual test, voltage, test strip, specific gravity, refractometer are all good coolant tests. Each one will tell different things about the coolant. Used together you can get a whole picture of the coolant's remaining life.

http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/VoltageDrop/testing_for_electrolysis.htm

Here's a good article on testing coolant voltage, it's super quick & easy, and can be useful. Coolant's pH should be above 7 for sure, but as high as 10 is fine.

If the pH drops below 7 and becomes acidic, that's when your coolant turns into an electrolyte, your engine becomes a battery and generates it's own voltage between a random anode and cathode (bad).

[don.dd]

@bstewart  thanks for your reply..........i appreciate it.

regards, don