How to Check and Test Your Coolant/Antifreeze

1. Quick question. Is it okay to top up my coolant with distilled water?

   Some extra info… It was changed two years ago during regular maintenance, but I'm not sure which brand they used. It's green, although the recommended coolant for my car is red or yellow. I plan to flush it out and add the correct coolant myself next time (in a year or two), but for now I'd just like to top it up. I've performed a visual inspection (looks fine) and the hydrometer freezing point test (-26 °C) so I'm only worried about the level which is very close to minimum. I know diluting it will affect its freezing point, but I wouldn't mind even if it measured -20 °C.

2. Both pictures on my Taurus reservoir show do and do not add orange to orange.

3. I just had a radiator flush done today by radiator shop. I was sitting close in my RV watching him. I didn’t see him put a container under the truck (f150 1999). When i went to pay I looked at the overfill and it looked dirty. He said he could clean that out. So I guess I’m doing all these tests to see if he did it. I doubt my husband ever flushed the radiator. But it only has 60,000 miles on it.

4. Thanks, great video, appreciated!

5. Great stuff, thanks

6. Just one suggestion: pour it through a paper coffee filter at 3:28 if you're not sure.

7. 0:40 Ah the top shelf black label anti-freeze.

8. My 05 gto suppose to look like rust

9. 0.1 and dropping is it still good?

10. Great video man! Saved me some cash 👍🍻

11. Thank you for explaining my problem. My question is: After having an Oil, Filter Change, why was this not looked at? Isn't this part of maintenance on a Vehicle? It's Not rhe Owner's fault this was noticed. I noticed a Maple Smell. This was my go to answer Antifreeze. I hope I caught it in time to save her from unnecessary car Mechanics. Very overpriced. 🌟👍!

12. I'm just amazed when I see any thumbs-down on your videos, Chris. Keep up the good work!

13. Best car care channel on YouTube!

14. That's in the Pfizer Covid19 vax guys. Prepare to become cars! I'm certainly not.

15. I couldn't find one word on whole google or internet about my question…My European Opel GM car should use original orange GM Dex-cool coolant.I know everything about not mixing this with that,what is IAT,OAT or HOAT coolant,but..there is nowhere on internet to find if I can switch from OAT coolant to HOAT in GM car???I never used Dexcool because of old topics about famous Dexcool problems,but red/pink G12+(VW specs).This European G12+ is compatible with Dex cool,they are both OAT(silicates free).Now,HOAT is also mix of OAT and again a little bit of silacate inside..not much as in IAT green stuff but still..In my eyes Hoat is the best compromis,best solution?Can I flush mu old OAT(G12+) and Use newest HOAT(G12++ or G13)?Thanx

16. Oh yes my cooler needs to be changes ASP
    Thank you

17. What do you recommend when radiator looks rusty? I've been flushing and cleaning and still get rusty looking liquid coming out!

18. Will an older vehicle radiator that accumulated rust be a problem to clean.?

19. Thanks, I ran that current test for the first time, my coolant is about 18 mos. old and under 25k miles. At 20vdc setting, I read 0.09, so I guess that confirms it's still very clean (it looked so). The hydrometer says only to do while cool, that only has to do with not burning you and not about chemical reading, right? I'll wait to check in morning, but I don't think I need to. I like that ph test.

20. my coolant looks exactly like the bad coolant, guess that confirms that 3 out of 5 balls floating in the antifreeze tester isn't good, going to flush it anyway but still

21. bye bye head gasket

22. Really appreciate the video but also want to share that, as I understand it: A hydrometer can't be used for Propylene Glycol Coolants (only Ethylene Glycol) and those test strips often can't be used on orange or red dyed coolant as the dye can affect the reading and make it seem okay when it's not. I believe a refractometer would be the best option that would work on all coolants.

23. Awesome information I never knew. Thanks!

24. Mine is the same. I put red coolant.😑

25. where do you live that is -22C where ever it is im staying here O.o

26. good information thank you ! definitely will subscribe

27. Great informative video

28. Just watching for fun in 2020

29. i use milk for coolant only 1.89 at the gas station and i only need 3 and i get to drink half of the third jug. i stay pretty cool.

30. The proper PH for OAT coolant is 7.5. We don't drive fish!

31. Head gasket ever blow on the ole b 3000?

32. But like sometimes you say your car and truck but then when you start with the car and you won't do the truck

33. Can I use the same with glycol antifreeze for boilers ????

34. looks like you went to Economy Lube ya they messed up bigtime. There are three colors of coolant Dexcool which is made by AC Delco this is only suppose to be put in GMs that are not GMC or Pontiac the only trucks that use it are those that say GM or Chevy on the hood. Don't pore dexcool into your engine you will destroy it. The next type is glycol which is green this is the only antifreeze you put in that truck. and last but not least is frostoff which is made by Peak and is blue don't get this one mixed up with wiper fluid and don't pore that stuff into into the wrong tank you can destroy your engine.

35. I dare you to not know something about a car

36. if the coolant is suppose to be neon green and it is a muddy color wouldnt that be a good idea to do a coolant flush? would you need to do the 3 other tests?

37. God damn that looked filthy

38. You can also give your finger in there when it's cold I just barely stick your tongue on your finger if it's real sweet it's good it's real shower it's no good the sweeter the better I don't necessarily recommend this but it's what I do but like I said just barely the tip of your tongue so you can taste it and then wash your mouth out real good but it works

39. Hey Chris my 2013 v6 mustang is making weird splashing and bubbling sounds no leaks or over heating I was told it was an air pocket or something but how do I know for sure it sounds like it’s right next to my dash

40. My owner's manual doesn't specify the colour of the coolant. It says it has to be an ethylene glycol-based antifreeze mixture tho…

41. Another informative, no BS video. Thanks!

42. Plain water is enough

43. I see milkshake brown and buddy… you’re in blown head gasket town

44. Wow! After seeing this, I can’t complain about how mines look… mines are green and not clumpy. Now I feel much better

45. Very informative sir!! Great job on the video. I just subscribed to your channel.
    Thank you!!😁

46. Outstanding…. First time I've seen the multimeter method! I'll be using this from now on in addition to the visual test. Same same the pH test. I happen to have a very accurate pH tester.

47. Superb video.

48. 50/50 of wooter.

49. For performance is it good to have 70%water and 30% antifreeze

50. Antifreeze can be used.

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