Hydrometers are inaccurate. Do yourself a favor and get a $20 refractometer soft Amazon. 4 in 1 will do coolant, WWF, Battery acid and DEF.


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Thanks Steve.

Actually, I already own a refractometer. I bought it for Brix testing but am sure it will work for coolant as well.

What is the reading that would indicate that the coolant is acceptable?

DC

 

http://www.reichertai.com/clientuploads/directory/download_pdfs/Reichert Why Use A RefractometeR.pdf

This explains why the refractometer is better…

 

https://www.coolantconsultants.com/product-category/refractometers/

I eventually found this too…

Multiply the Refractive Index x Brix Number to determine Percentage.

There is also Ph Testing to make sure the coolant is not acidic

 

I always run 70/ 30----That being the Top protection, it does allow me to use plain ole water should coolant be unavailable to top it off, and I'd still be fine as long as the mix stayed above 50/ 50.

I mix my radiator juice in jugs or buckets

It's really EZ to pour the pure juice into a large cup 7 times and dumped into a bucket and water into the same cup 3 times and dumped into the bucket.

Didn't use up the pure juice in the auto parts store jug?

Grab a smaller cup and repeat the process.

In the end, you end up with a 70/ 30 mix using Cup/ shot glass/ spoons/ etc..........no need to get all mathy with a measuring cup.

The goal here is to pour it into the radiator and filling the system just with the contents of the bucket (even if you have to finish by purging any air by bringing the engine up to operating temperature)

You could do this same procedure to bring it to 50/50

The big thing is not to add radiator juice or water indiscriminately into your Jeep, you really cannot accurately guess the volume of the radiator and the volume of the water jacket of the engine.

(many dump the jug in and top it off with water)

Should you bucket mix too much as I 1st described----you now have extra 70/30 or 50/50 which you can top off with later, the mix will complement what you put in weeks/ months ago.

Look at the chart

70/30 protects down to -84

50/50 protects down to -34

No gauge is needed

-----remember this mixing is with pure antifreeze not "already" diluted 50/ 50 from the parts store. However without mixing the stores 50/50 you can add it until you get it full. (this saves you from mixing, but is more expensive to use.)

-----JEEPFELLER

 

Thanks. All good advice. Most of which I already follow.

I don’t need the freeze protection much in Southern California. Mostly I’m after cooling and corrosion protection, but I may well opt for a greater than 50/50 mixture. As suggested, if you need to add water at some point, you’re fine.

Yes, I bring it up to temperature with the cap off, monitor and add coolant to top it off as the system burps, plus run it cap on and re-check.

Thanks again

 

Did you know that pure water cools the engine better than a 50/50 mix. The more antifreeze you add, the less efficient the coolant. Running higher than 50/50 is a diminishing return and living in Southern California, you many need the better cooling ability of a greater water content.

Thanks. All good advice. Most of which I already follow.

I don't need the freeze protection much in Southern California. Mostly I'm after cooling and corrosion protection, but I may well opt for a greater than 50/50 mixture. As suggested, if you need to add water at some point, you're fine.

Yes, I bring it up to temperature with the cap off, monitor and add coolant to top it off as the system burps, plus run it cap on and re-check.

Thanks again

 

I found other charts, this one seemed simple enough,

It covers both 50/50 and 70/30 as far as overheating protection.

Not only does the radiator juice keep boiling temperature down, the radiator cap plays a part also.

I did not see it included but a pressure radiator cap will keep the radiator juice below the boiling point 3 degrees for every pound of pressure.

To put this in prospective, a radiator cap rated at 15 lbs. will allow the radiator's contents to rise 45 degrees more above normal boiling temperature before it will boil.

------JEEPFELLER