Anti Freeze Tester's

[xc70jason]

Evening all,i'm looking at getting myself an Anti Freeze Tester.

If you have one,what type is it?,and can you recommend it?

I'd like something simple(like mi self)to use but,i'd like it to be giving accurate reading's.

Thinking about it,has anyone ever tested a tester?.

Cheer's peep's,

Jason

[Volvon]

Can't help on the proper testers, but you can use your freezer, a pop bottle and a thermometer

[stevo48]

The only anti freeze tester I've ever used is sight and taste. I look into the header tank and check the colour is good and strong then I stick a finger into the coolant and taste it, if it is sweet and strong tasting I put the lid back on.
If the colour is getting weak and the coolant tastes watery i drain some coolant off and top it up with neat anti freeze until the desired colour and taste has been achieved, its never failed me yet.

[Ninja59]

Originally Posted by stevo48

The only anti freeze tester I've ever used is sight and taste. I look into the header tank and check the colour is good and strong then I stick a finger into the coolant and taste it, if it is sweet and strong tasting I put the lid back on.
If the colour is getting weak and the coolant tastes watery i drain some coolant off and top it up with neat anti freeze until the desired colour and taste has been achieved, its never failed me yet.

Tasting coolant are you serious?

Personally I would get a proper refractometer.

[stevo48]

Originally Posted by Ninja59

Tasting coolant are you serious?

Personally I would get a proper refractometer.

Yes, a dab on the finger tip is all that is required, it ain't gonna kill ya........

[t5pete]

My old one broke so just bought one of these and its a nice bit of kit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2906221986...84.m1497.l2649

[Backhill1]

I use a durite one which also has a thermometer whith a chart to give you an accurate reading of the concentration / mix. So the bulb is marked a b c d e f g h and you check this against temp and it gives you a percentage and what that = in deg c.
Ie if you check with a poor tester and the water is warm you will show a higher reading than actual.
However if its for your own car I always mix before adding as I want it ( normally 50/50) and if anything needs topped up again do it mixed. That way no real need to check.

You can get long life antifeeze now with inhibitors Pre mixed that last 6 years and you add a conditioner at 3. These work out good value and normally have very good water.

Used to have lots of problems with engines in London due to the lime in the water, the radiators would end up like filled with cement! Not good.

[Bendolfc]

I've only every used how it looks, don't fancy tasting it. Mine looked fine but last service they said it was only good to -2 and do I want it changing. Glad I took it to a Volvo dealer and not somewhere they might not have bothered to do that check.

[Thanatos]

I have a basic lidl one it works ain't expensive and just as good as the seally one I had that broke

[Spike1918]

Propylene glycol won`t do anyone harm in the tiny quantity there might be on a fingertip and yes, the sweet taste / colour tip works well enough unless conditions really ARE severe and below -15.
But if you`re a `pussie`, cheap hydrometers can be bought just about anywhere:

http://www.nicedeals.co.uk/product_i...oducts_id=2005

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maypole-Anti.../dp/B004Q0L50E