Another Tip: Change your Coolant!!

[unorthodoxneon]

Well while i'm on the kick of sharing my knowledge i'll add some tips and tricks as i go along. This one i bring up because the coolant is a very neglected fluid in your vehicle and noticed that alot of people are seeing why changing you coolant is needed.

Many coolants after a while will start to lose its properties and along with that will also become acidic. The acid is known to eat away at such parts as the radiator, water pump and freeze plugs.

Fresh coolant is also good at keeping corrision from building inside the radiator/cooling system and the water pump lubricated to prevent premature wear along with many other reasons.

Please change more then just your oil on your vehicles on a regular basis. It will keep your vehicle lasting longer and in tip top shape for that next long load.

 

[LDB]

That's a good point. You can buy a tester that's basically an overgrown eye dropper with different color balls inside it. You draw some coolant into it and it tells you the condition by which colors float. I believe there are also test strips you dip into the coolant and compare to a color chart. It's smart to test it regularly to know when to change it without jumping the gun or waiting too long.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[unorthodoxneon]

Even if you have that tester it just give you an idea what your mixture is and your protection level for how hot and cold it can withstand. The test strips i never seen to test the coolant unless your talking about PH strips. That is the best way to see if the coolant is an acid or a base.


Another thing i should add is if you do your own coolant change to use Distilled water from the store cause water from the tap and such has minerals and other chemicals that are good for coolant system and will cause build up.

 

[davekc]

Probably should add, if your vehicle is equipped with a coolant filter, don't forget to change that at the proper intravals.











Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[Moot]

>
>Another thing i should add is if you do your own coolant
>change to use Distilled water from the store cause water
>from the tap and such has minerals and other chemicals that
>are good for coolant system and will cause build up.


But won't the fluoride in tap water prevent pitting and cavitation? Just kidding. That's an excellent suggest. Distilled water will cost you more initially, but in the long haul you will save money.