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Coolant 50/50 mix help

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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 08:13 AM
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Coolant 50/50 mix help

So my truck reached 150k miles and I decided to do a coolant flush as indicated in the maintenance schedule. I know I was supposed to do it at 100k. So it came from ford with Orange coolant. I emptied both primary and secondary, and filled with distilled water. Ran truck for a week. Then drained and filled again with distilled. Ran for another week. Finally last cycle I drained, replaced all thermostats, and filled with Yellow coolant.

Question, since I was only able to drain 6 qt at a time for the secondary, and about 20 qt at a time for the primary, how do I know if my coolant mixture is 50/50? Since some of the coolant remained in the engine and the concentration of it is unknown, when I added 50/50 yellow coolant, it would dilute to less than 50/50.

What is the best way to verify I have 50/50 in there?
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by redz284u
So my truck reached 150k miles and I decided to do a coolant flush as indicated in the maintenance schedule. I know I was supposed to do it at 100k. So it came from ford with Orange coolant. I emptied both primary and secondary, and filled with distilled water. Ran truck for a week. Then drained and filled again with distilled. Ran for another week. Finally last cycle I drained, replaced all thermostats, and filled with Yellow coolant.

Question, since I was only able to drain 6 qt at a time for the secondary, and about 20 qt at a time for the primary, how do I know if my coolant mixture is 50/50? Since some of the coolant remained in the engine and the concentration of it is unknown, when I added 50/50 yellow coolant, it would dilute to less than 50/50.

What is the best way to verify I have 50/50 in there?
Test the specific gravity, something like the link below.

Amazon Amazon
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by aboyles
Test the specific gravity, something like the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Prestone-AF-1...24898553&psc=1

no way!!!!!!!! can it really be that easy???? Didn’t even know they made such a tool. I spent all weekend trying to calculate the mixtures. Then researched the Acustrip website which confused me even more.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by redz284u
no way!!!!!!!! can it really be that easy???? Didn’t even know they made such a tool. I spent all weekend trying to calculate the mixtures. Then researched the Acustrip website which confused me even more.
Specific gravity tester is old school. Probably been around longer than both of us put together. Tells you how low a temp. your coolant can go before freezing. it is that easy. any parts store or probably walmart should have one.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 10:01 AM
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 10:49 AM
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Other than anti-freeze and anti-boil benefits, is there another adverse effect to having to much or to little coolant? Say I have 40/60 or 60/40, would there be any damage to the engine and components?

where I live it never drops below 30F, considering running 40/60 or even 30/70. Any thoughts on that?
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by redz284u
Other than anti-freeze and anti-boil benefits, is there another adverse effect to having to much or to little coolant? Say I have 40/60 or 60/40, would there be any damage to the engine and components?

where I live it never drops below 30F, considering running 40/60 or even 30/70. Any thoughts on that?
You can go 70/30 max. That will give you -84 degree freeze protection and 276 degree boilpoint. Do not run less than 50/50 or you will have issues with corrosion, boil over and the potential for cavitation.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by redz284u
Other than anti-freeze and anti-boil benefits, is there another adverse effect to having to much or to little coolant? Say I have 40/60 or 60/40, would there be any damage to the engine and components?

where I live it never drops below 30F, considering running 40/60 or even 30/70. Any thoughts on that?
anti freeze has other additives in it such as anti corrosives. I think the minimum recommended is something like 40/60.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by aboyles
anti freeze has other additives in it such as anti corrosives. I think the minimum recommended is something like 40/60.
i thought the whole idea of it being distilled water was to prevent corrosion. If you have 100% distilled water, would it still corrode? Pardon my ignorance in this topic.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by redz284u
i thought the whole idea of it being distilled water was to prevent corrosion. If you have 100% distilled water, would it still corrode? Pardon my ignorance in this topic.
I'm not an expert by any means but I think it would.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by aboyles
I'm not an expert by any means but I think it would.
appreciate all your help. I’m on the right track now.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2021 | 11:59 AM
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Originally Posted by redz284u
i thought the whole idea of it being distilled water was to prevent corrosion. If you have 100% distilled water, would it still corrode? Pardon my ignorance in this topic.
Well vapor distilled water is corrosive in itself. It's just free of most impurities, oxydizers and hardness. The coolant has the inhibitors in it.
 
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