Testing coolant strength?

[Pablobongo]

Hello all!,
can anyone tell me if it is possible to have your coolant strength tested?, I am yet to find a garage locally that I am confident enough to let change my coolant. I have owned the bongo for 18 months now, and have a LCA fitted, and often manually check the coolant level. I am not brave enough to change it myself, and as the last mechanic said to me "If it doesnt leak, then dont bother, it definetly has got coolant in there".
My point is,
I am off to Slovakia this festive season, and the temps often plummet to -15 of a night, and rarely get above freezing during the day, so I would be happier knowing that the coolant that is in the system is strong enough to offer protection from these temps.

[Doone]

can anyone tell me if it is possible to have your coolant strength tested?,

I think your mechanic would probably be able to test the coolant strength for you? You can also buy a gauge and test it yourself. There are several on ON THIS EBAY LINK. One of them may be suitable, or someone else will be along to tell you the best type to use. You should also be able to buy one at your local motorfactors.

[longhaul8]

I picked up a hydrometer last week for checking your coolent tells you what temp you are protected down too £3 from wilco.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Not only do I check the S.G. I also suck some coolant out with a turkey baster and put it in the freezer for a day or two....A domestic freezer should run at minus 18 C. i get ours to minus 20, and I put a thermometer in the freezer as well...
Cheers
Helen

[haydn callow]

Make sure you use the correct version for the type of coolant you are using.

[mikexgough]

This One is widely used as a "pocket" test tool in the garage trade and it's £4.30 or less too.... covers all the ranges..

[helen&tony]

Hi
If you are unsure of what type of antifreeze is in your Bongo, don't risk guessing...put some in the freezer with a thermometer alongside it...old or sub-standard antifreeze will show up, whereas testing with a hydrometer won''t ...trust me... I will say that if the fluid looks at all "sluggish" on removal from the freezer, , it is either of insufficient concentration, or it's past it's sell-by date, or sub-standard quality, and being "sluggish" is very close to freezing point....be aware that a bad winter is forecast (guessed at ) for the area you are going to...according to the local forecasters ( witchdoctors) colder than normal....If you are unsure after testing, replace it and bleed according to instructions repeated on here, and the video......THEY WORK!...
Cheers
Helen

[mikexgough]

Hello all!,
can anyone tell me if it is possible to have your coolant strength tested?, I am yet to find a garage locally that I am confident enough to let change my coolant. I have owned the bongo for 18 months now, and have a LCA fitted, and often manually check the coolant level. I am not brave enough to change it myself, and as the last mechanic said to me "If it doesnt leak, then dont bother, it definetly has got coolant in there".
My point is,
I am off to Slovakia this festive season, and the temps often plummet to -15 of a night, and rarely get above freezing during the day, so I would be happier knowing that the coolant that is in the system is strong enough to offer protection from these temps.

To be honest, I would have the coolant changed if you are uncertain and as well as you having had Bongo for 18 months as it could have 2 yr blue/green coolant near to the end of life and be done with it.
As your off to colder climes it's a no brainer really but to have your coolant changed and with a 50% ratio of whatever coolant you choose(2yr or 5 yr) it will allow you to go down to -34.
If you are concerned about a garage changing the coolant, perhaps a day out for you to Newbury to Discount Trucks might be the best way forward.....

[vanvliet]

- and use distilled water in the new mix - - - - -

[Northern Bongolow]

just wondering if you use distilled water,or indeed deironised water,and you have a low coolant alarm fitted,would the coolant still be a good enough conductor to allow the current to flow through the coolant,bearing in mind that some may be on a 50-50 mix antifreeze/water with winter coming. after a bit of reading up, its the irons in the water that conducts the current and both the above types of water have had the irons removed.
any thoughts!.
the use of the above would be desireable to illiminate the chemical reactions within the coolant system with the different metals used so has anyone used either long term?

[helen&tony]

Hi
With Japanese coolant, they specify using distilled, because it is prone to causing precipitation when mixing with tap water. You are perfectly safe using tap water in the UK with European glycol based antifreeze, but for the sake of a couple of coppers, if you live in a hard water area, I would use bottled drinking water...I use it over here....
I wouldn't say our tap water is HARD, but when you turn the tap on , it gushes out screaming "Oi...Wot you lookin at" ..., and has more chlorine than Heston Municipal swimming baths
Cheers
Helen

[vanvliet]

My mechanic has been servicing microlight engines for many years . He recommends using distilled water in coolant to reduce internal corrosion .He has seen the results of just using tap water - - You pays yer money . - -
I buy mine in a big drum from a motor factor and it is not expensive

[Diplomat]

My mechanic has been servicing microlight engines for many years . He recommends using distilled water in coolant to reduce internal corrosion .

I have avoided using London/Kent tapwater in the coolant mix for many years. Nor would I put it in the screenwash bottle.

When I had plenty (worked in a school for many years), I used proper distilled water but now use de-ionised.

I use clean rainwater or kettle water that has stood all night and then been decanted carefully for the screen wash mix.


Things go awry, of course, if you have a cooling catastophe away from home and have to fill up with whatever is available. I remember a Morris 1000 receiving three male bladder loads in order to continue a journey!


Frank


Frank

[vanvliet]

''just wondering if you use distilled water,or indeed deironised water,and you have a low coolant alarm fitted,would the coolant still be a good enough conductor to allow the current to flow through the coolant,bearing in mind that some may be on a 50-50 mix antifreeze/water with winter coming. after a bit of reading up, its the irons in the water that conducts the current and both the above types of water have had the irons removed'' quote


Haydn Callow would be the man to comment on this 'cos he makes them - -

[haydn callow]

They will work just fine....