![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 283
|
Hi all
Does anyone have any advice on the best tool to get to test the coolant. Thanks |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#3 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 283
|
|
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#4 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sth Coast NSW
Posts: 1,512
|
Concentration is everything - there is a thread on here covering this.
I have Castrol test strips - like a litmus type of thing, the colour shows glycol level and alkaline level. The garage I help out has a tool that you smear some coolant on a sightglass and look through it in the light, and it shows you the percentage glycol. Probably easiest to go to a garage and ask them for a quick test - takes a minute. You're looking around the mid 30's percentage wise. |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
This user likes this post: |
![]() |
#5 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,252
|
When I finished my apprenticeship at Cummins we used to use these little test strips that u dip into the header tank during a service.
Depending on the colour of the strip it would give u an indication of weather to change the coolant or not. Cummins use steel piston liners that were tapped into the cylinder block and used big o-rings around the liner to seal bottom and top areas.......The area in between used to get a thing called electrolysis where the outside of the liners (exposed to very hot coolant and all the combustion heat) were wet and the coolant would heat up bubble and make holes/pitting in the liners. Used to see it alot on very expensive rebuilds where everything was changed over......Most trucks do about 1 million kilometers before requiring major overhaul. But good old cast iron block engines like the mighty Ford I6 dont suffer from this and the glycol stops coolant from freezing and also from getting too hot. Corrosion inhibitors stop parts like thermostat and water pump impeller and steel coolant pipes and heater core from corroding away. Check workshop manuals for change intervals or ask mechanic for a quick test. Last edited by GASWAGON; 27-05-2017 at 06:53 PM. |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
This user likes this post: |
![]() |
#6 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,284
|
Quote:
Shows how often I use it! You can also test your brake fluid with the same tool. It requires cleaning with distilled water before & after use. An example: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ATC-Glyco...YAAOSwFNZWxWor |
|||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,252
|
Quote:
|
|||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#8 | ||
FG XR6 Ute & Sedan
![]() Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Bibra Lake WA
Posts: 23,016
|
If it's glycol base this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Glycol-Re...cAAOSw1DtXLHwG or http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CPS-REFRA...QAAOSwjqVZGj-S
__________________
regards Blue |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#9 | ||
Donating Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: QLD
Posts: 11,822
|
That tool is called a refractrometer
|
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#10 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Perth
Posts: 391
|
Test strips as I recall are good for green coolant, but not necessarily red - the red can apparently be working OK even if test strip says not!
With the green coolant being so cheap I'd suggest just drop the coolant every 3 years and refill with 50 % glycol concentrate and 50 % distilled water. If you do it this often there shouldn't be any need to use flushing compound. Most jap bikes use 50 % glycol concentrate and the coolant galleries and radiators are usually immaculate when pulled down |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
This user likes this post: |
![]() |
#11 | |||
Cabover nut
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Onsite Eastcoast
Posts: 10,837
|
Quote:
Often wondered whether using waterless coolant would fix this old problem ?
__________________
heritagestonemason.com/Fordlouisvillerestoration In order that the labour of centuries past may not be in vain during the centuries to come...... D. Diderot 1752
|
|||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,252
|
Quote:
If i were you i would run genuine Cummins coolant that they recommend for the 903. |
|||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#13 | ||
Yep ... BOOSTED
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Mid North Coast NSW
Posts: 187
|
Thanks for the ebay info, cheers.
__________________
Daily Driver - 2000 - AU2
(April Fools Day Build) |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#14 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 283
|
Just got some penrite test strips from repco.
Thanks all for your feedback. |
||
![]() |
![]() ![]() |