Coolant Test Strips
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Coolant Test Strips
what coolant test strips do you use? where did you get it?? and how often should i test the coolant??? Also whats best coolant to buy if i need to change the coolant, i have heard of Gold and Green but an uncertain of the benifits. Right now im using the the green stuff and it still looks pretty good but want to test it to make sure.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,102
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Test Strips
I use the Fleetguard test strips - pretty easy to find & use. (Inexpensive online @ just a few bucks a strip) I test @ every oil change. If you are not currently running a coolant filter I would recommend one. You're Water Pump will thank you later through increased longevity.
I've thought about switching to one of the long life coolants as well but, just haven't had the time to do it. I will probably switch when I change my coolant early next year. You just need to be absolutely sure you get all of the old stuff out as mixing the two negates the benefits of the long life coolants.
One thing is though - long life doesn't mean forever so, you do have to change it at some point. This is just food for thought in my case. I tested the PH level in our "supposedly" never needs coolant service VW the other day for fun. Guess what I found.... acidic PH levels! I will be changing it very soon. Nothing like corrosive coolant! The GM Dexcool is famous for eating cooling system components after about 4-5 years of service.
DG
I've thought about switching to one of the long life coolants as well but, just haven't had the time to do it. I will probably switch when I change my coolant early next year. You just need to be absolutely sure you get all of the old stuff out as mixing the two negates the benefits of the long life coolants.
One thing is though - long life doesn't mean forever so, you do have to change it at some point. This is just food for thought in my case. I tested the PH level in our "supposedly" never needs coolant service VW the other day for fun. Guess what I found.... acidic PH levels! I will be changing it very soon. Nothing like corrosive coolant! The GM Dexcool is famous for eating cooling system components after about 4-5 years of service.
DG
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: South Dakota
I bought some test strips and SCA at NAPA. Since I more highway driving and not towing I usually test my coolant every 10K when I do the everything else. If I knew about the ELC when I changed my waterpump last year, I would of changed to that. A little expensive to just change good coolant.
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From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Hey y'all, NAPA dealers have got to be a bunch of thieves. I just paid $18.00 plus tax for what for me is certainly a lifetime supply of strips. But, did I get the right ones. Part #4106, they check for Nitrate, Freeze Point, and PH. So please, just what am I looking for. I have a motor in my motor home that I paid $16,000.00 for and have not checked the coolant since the new motor was installed. Frankly y'all are scaring me with these bad coolant stories.
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From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Originally Posted by magnum300
just go into somewhere where the sell and service diesels got mine at a big cummins shop
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: west MI
what you are testing for is anti cavitatation concentration, dip the strip into your coolant and compare the color to the chart if you need more coolant additive it is one of the items that the dealer does not rape you on.
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From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Guess I am SOL with these strips I got from NAPA, there is no anti-cavitation option on the choices I listed in my post above. Thanx. Anyone know what to call the strips I am looking for. I have a ding bat woman to deal with at my local source.
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Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
I did some further searching in coolant test strip threads and found out that these NAPA 4106's are not the proper strips. Screw it, I am just going to flush and change to an EC without knowing whether I needed to or not.
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