Coolant and Test Strips
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Mexico
Coolant and Test Strips
I am in Mexico and I just had some radiator work done. I bought 2 gallons of Fleetguard concentrated coolant, pre-charged with 5 units of DCA and had the mechanic put it in. 2 weeks later I got some test strips and the following readings; Nitrate 4000 flush, freeze point -10, PH 8.
Do I have to flush the radiator or just dilute the antifreeze down?
Do I have to flush the radiator or just dilute the antifreeze down?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Mexico
Because the nitrate reading is 4000 and the directions on the strip says flush. I am trying to avoid flushing the radiator and buying new coolant.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Mexico
I used reverse osmosis bottled drinking water. I couldn't find anything larger than a 12 oz bottle of distilled water for way too much money.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Faibanks Ak.
I hear you there. diluting your coolant may just work. I had my international in the shop once for a heating problem I couldn't figgure out that turned out to be the new batteries I had installed. Any way when I went to get the truck he said he had to dilute the antifreeze back to -34 to get it right. I was a little peod because I had to run -60 and that was more important than the ph or nitrate count.
I never saw the numbers so I'm not sure what he was getting right but he did dilute so if I was you I would dilute it and check it again seems like you should be able to go to -34 though maybe you just have too much additive. I always fill with coolant then test and add accordingly.
I never saw the numbers so I'm not sure what he was getting right but he did dilute so if I was you I would dilute it and check it again seems like you should be able to go to -34 though maybe you just have too much additive. I always fill with coolant then test and add accordingly.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Mexico
Living in the tropics, I don't need to worry about freezing. I am more concerned about proper protection from cavitation.
What problems could I encounter from running a higher concentration of coolant or additive? BTW, there is no expiration date on the container of test strips.
I will dilute it down this weekend and re-test.
Thanks for the advice and have a happy new years
What problems could I encounter from running a higher concentration of coolant or additive? BTW, there is no expiration date on the container of test strips.
I will dilute it down this weekend and re-test.
Thanks for the advice and have a happy new years
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 298
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From: Mexico
I am just going to flush the radiator and start fresh. I have a pint of Motorcraft diesel cooling system additive. Do you guys recommend using the pre-charged Fleetguard antifreeze or just getting regular antifreeze and using the additive? What kind of % mixture with water should I use?
BTW the truck ran cooler with the coolant diluted, normally I run about 190 but on the last drive it stayed about 180 even with the A/C running. Strange?
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Curious.... what's the purpose of DCA (Diesel Coolant Additive??)? I am mostly only familiar with gas powered passenger vehicles...... How bad would it be for a person to put regular green coolant in a diesel without the additive?
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Just read another thread called "Coolant additive??????" (not certain how to post a link...) and it seems to have answerd my question! Looks like I'm going with regular green sruff (50/50 mix with distilled water) and a DCA (Napa of Motorcraft likely)
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Down in Mexico I would think 50/50 would be plenty.
I run Fleetguard at about a 60/40 but it does get rather cold here.
Our daytime highs were in the single digits over the weekend.
You can guess where the lows were.
I run Fleetguard at about a 60/40 but it does get rather cold here.
Our daytime highs were in the single digits over the weekend.
You can guess where the lows were.
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