does engine coolant go bad?
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Biloxi, MS
does engine coolant go bad?
*Convieniently* after I came back from the store today, with a new drum of green engine coolant, I found out my dad has 3 old bottles, all of which 3/4 full sitting in the basement... They're all at least 10 years old, just wondered if they'd still work, or if I should just get rid of them?
Thanks y'all...
Thanks y'all...
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Where's my map???
Originally Posted by aaronlockhart
*Convieniently* after I came back from the store today, with a new drum of green engine coolant, I found out my dad has 3 old bottles, all of which 3/4 full sitting in the basement... They're all at least 10 years old, just wondered if they'd still work, or if I should just get rid of them?
Thanks y'all...
Thanks y'all...
Proly talkin out my butt. Wouldn't be the first, and you know the rest.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Where's my map???
Originally Posted by aaronlockhart
well, thats a good oppinion.... but what if the car I'm going to put it in is at least that old? haha
If it is. Buy one of those cheapy hydrometers, to see what it is rated at, freeze wise. HOHO
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
If it is in the original container and tightly sealed...
If you are cheap I would eyeball the inside of the bottle to make sure there is no sediment or floaties or cloudiness.
Then I would use it in an old car and check with the hydrometer.
If it is suspect I would get rid of it. Usually it is OK in most city sewage treatment plants so you can flush it down the toilet. Some septic and rural treatment plants can't handle it. Antifreeze is like a giant cheeseburger, chili fires and a big malted all at the same time. The system may get indigestion.
Don't pour it in the street or the gutter. Most older anitfreeze is lethal to most animals and it tastes good so it attracts dogs, cats and children. As little as a tablespoon will kill. It also kills fishes etc.
Antifreeze sitting in the engine does degrade over time since it slowly uses up the chemicals protecting the engine.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
If you are cheap I would eyeball the inside of the bottle to make sure there is no sediment or floaties or cloudiness.
Then I would use it in an old car and check with the hydrometer.
If it is suspect I would get rid of it. Usually it is OK in most city sewage treatment plants so you can flush it down the toilet. Some septic and rural treatment plants can't handle it. Antifreeze is like a giant cheeseburger, chili fires and a big malted all at the same time. The system may get indigestion.
Don't pour it in the street or the gutter. Most older anitfreeze is lethal to most animals and it tastes good so it attracts dogs, cats and children. As little as a tablespoon will kill. It also kills fishes etc.
Antifreeze sitting in the engine does degrade over time since it slowly uses up the chemicals protecting the engine.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
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From: La La Land
As long as it meets the specs for the automobile into which you're going to pour it, and there's been a cap on the jugto keep out dust and insects, it will be just fine. Glycol doesn't wear out, it just has some of its anti-corrosives used up with use.
You can buy those chemicals, too, and "rejuvinate" the coolant. I've done it, and I have the Polaris Labs test sheets to prove it.
I've got a Powerstroke that I'm VERY fussy about what goes into it.
Pop
You can buy those chemicals, too, and "rejuvinate" the coolant. I've done it, and I have the Polaris Labs test sheets to prove it.
I've got a Powerstroke that I'm VERY fussy about what goes into it.
Pop
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> all of which 3/4 full sitting in the basement... They're all at least 10 years old
Sounds like used anti-freeze, I would just dump it.
If I was 100% sure it was new, I would use it in the older car and just put a gauge on it after it ran through a while and made sure the ***** floated into the correct zone.
Sounds like used anti-freeze, I would just dump it.
If I was 100% sure it was new, I would use it in the older car and just put a gauge on it after it ran through a while and made sure the ***** floated into the correct zone.
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Just check what is in the jugs with an antifreeze hydrometer. Glycol does not go bad and the additives don't go bad in the jugs.
I keep used antifreeze for topping off the fluid level. I always mark the jugs "used mix" tho.
Used antifreeze can be flushed down the toilet. The microbes in the sewer plant love the stuff.
I keep used antifreeze for topping off the fluid level. I always mark the jugs "used mix" tho.
Used antifreeze can be flushed down the toilet. The microbes in the sewer plant love the stuff.
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From: wichita kansas
I'm not sure I would use it even if it did pass the hydrometer. These bottles are 3/4 full so you have no idea on what condition or what else has been put in there. To me it isn't worth it to put it in my car that is worth thousands just to keep from throwing out anti freeze that I don't have a dime invested in. Also around here they don't like you to throw the anti freeze down the sewer system either. We have a recycle center that you can take oil, anti freeze, paint and whatever else to for free. The unopened containers they put on the shelf for others to take (don't know if for free or not) and the paints are all mixed together to make a mix they put in five gal buckets to sell for a song. Landlords love to use it because they aren't worried about matching anything just what is cheap.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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The local recycler here in KC (Water District #1) just dumps the antifreeze down a drain line into their plant. They told me to just dump it in my toilet, no need to bring it in (flush afterwards). DO NOT dump it in a storm sewer, there are two different sewer systems! Antifreeze is like sugar for the microbes in the sanitary sewer sludge plants and they feed off it.
