Antifreeze/Coolant Testers

[Tesla]

As winter approaches I want to check over the car to ensure continued, trouble-free motoring.

This is my first winter with the e39 and I have no idea of what ratio of antifreeze is in the coolant.

Are the turkey-baster type antifreeze testers any good? Are they reasonably accurate?

They're only about a fiver so seem worth it for the peace of mind at least.

Is there a better tool? Would a garage have a more accurate tool?

 

[Matt82]

i tested mine on some 50% mixed stuff, it said 50%

i test it on water, it said 0% so it seems like a good enough tool!

anything from 30%-50% should be sufficient for our country

 

[Firestar_3x]

Been happy with mine so i would say yes

 

[Amos91]

Cyphon some out and put it in the freezer?

 

[Dogbreath]

Are the turkey-baster type antifreeze testers any good? Are they reasonably accurate?

'Hydrometer' is the word you are after, and yes they can be perfectly good tools. However, different coolant types have different specific gravities (.e.g Propylene Glycol vs Ethylene Glycol/OAT) so using the wrong device will give inaccurate results.

The best tool is a Refractometer which works for both types of coolant, but it would be an expensive purchase for very infrequent use.

 

[Dogbreath]

Cyphon some out and put it in the freezer?

Cyphon

Syphon

 

[Sam]

I have one somewhere if its at home you can borrow it

 

[Amos91]

Thanks ever so much for the spelling correction. It has been duly noted for next time.

 

[Tesla]

I have one but the hose has snapped off. Cheers Sam will take you up on that.

 

[Tom_ed1987]

If you don't know when it was last changed I would just drain it and refill with fresh stuff.

Corrosion inhibitors deplete over time and you can't really test that at home.

 

[malfunkshun]

I do a coolant change every October as a matter of course, cost sod all and doesn't take long.

 

[Overlag]

Bit of a waste isn't it?

 

[Sparky]

25% Propylene Glycol will protect you down to about -15c