anti-freeze question | FerrariChat

anti-freeze question

Discussion in '348/355' started by Franc, Nov 9, 2009.

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  1. Franc

    Franc Rookie

    Oct 26, 2009
    27
    Manheim, PA
    Full Name:
    Francisco Lopez
    Guys,
    First of all I want to thank everyone for their feedback/inputs to my prior questions; you guys are great! I have one more, how can I tell if my car has anti-freeze 50/50? I am assumming it does but when I looked at the reservoir the liquid looks clear(transparent, no color), could it be pure water instead? is there an easy way to tell? my garage is not heated and I am a bit concern about the upcoming cold temperatures.
    Thanks,
    Francisco
     
  2. rvficklen

    rvficklen Karting

    Apr 8, 2007
    88
    McDonough, GA
    Full Name:
    Randy Ficklen
    Franc - you can pick up a simple/cheap hydrometer at the local auto parts store (maybe even Wal-Mart or Target. It measure specific gravity. Here is a link for what I'm talking about. http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ezrsp102.html
     
  3. rvficklen

    rvficklen Karting

    Apr 8, 2007
    88
    McDonough, GA
    Full Name:
    Randy Ficklen
    Fran- you can also use a refractometer. Most of these will check specific gravity in propylene or ethylene glycol based cooling systems and also specific gravity of your battery. Here is a link to show what I'm eluding to. These can get pricey....Snap-On version is $200.
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HTNODE
     
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,728
    You can also just change the coolant to a 50%/50% mixture and then you KNOW what is in the system.
     
  5. James-NZ

    James-NZ F1 Veteran

    Jun 26, 2007
    5,822
    Hamilton, NewZealand
    Full Name:
    James
    +1

    Thats what I would do.
     
  6. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,777
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    +2....and not only would you know it is 50/50, you would know that it is brand new coolant since you don't know how old the stuff is in there now.
     
  7. rvficklen

    rvficklen Karting

    Apr 8, 2007
    88
    McDonough, GA
    Full Name:
    Randy Ficklen
    + 3 Absolutely! That is the sure fire way of knowing mixture and quality.
     
  8. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

    Jun 8, 2008
    8,237
    San Antonio, Texas
    Full Name:
    Scott
    +4. Don't forget to add a bottle of Red Line "Watter Wetter" when you change your coolant for the subsequent driving season.
     
  9. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,777
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Good idea Scott!
     
  10. f1karting

    f1karting Karting

    Jul 19, 2006
    235
    BC Canada
    Full Name:
    Jan H
    You can buy test strips that give a color reading of "good-to" temperature AND coolant PH in one go. 20 bucks for a hundred tests..
     

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