How to know the proportion already in my radiator

[Isaac]

Hello Guys,

I know that I need to mix the Antifreeze Coolant 50/50 with water BUT is there is a way to know what is the Percentage already mixed in my radiator?

The thing is that I just pic up my car from the dealer and these people charge me 4 bottle of expensive 100% concentrated G-12++ VW/AUDI Coolant......They just fix a small radiator hose near the coolant reservoir.

I ask them way they don't mix it with water and they say is ok to put 100% coolant

I am pretty sure the mix in my radiator is not 50/50 and maybe is like 70% Coolant and 30% Water. Here in my country the weather is always hot.....So I don't need to have more coolant than water and I am pretty sure I will not have any freezing problem since I live in Central America.

Maybe this is overkill, but I just want to have the correct 50/50 mix in my radiator.

Is there is a way or a kit I can buy to take a sample of my coolant and see the proportion mix I have in my radiator?

THX,

Isaac

 

[JimPghPA]

Get a hydrometer. Mix up some samples that you know the percentage of, including one that is at what you want, and above and below. Compare what you have in the vehicle with them. Be sure they are at the same temperature.

 

[SubLGT]

Take it to a mechanic who owns a coolant refractometer, and have him measure it.

 

[JimPghPA]

Different coolants have different densities, and different temperature, and barometric pressure also effects the reading.

By using the same type of coolant at the same temperature at the same barometric pressure you will get an accurate comparison.

There are adjustments for temperature on most meters, but few take into consideration change in barometric pressure, and barometric pressure changes with the ambient air pressure and also with the altitude you are at.

If you want accurate results do the comparison test using a hydrometer and known samples.

 

[JimPghPA]

In the past with some coolant in the past, when I ran much more than 50/50 the antifreeze seamed to always be throwing off a smell from the over-flow bottle. When I adjusted to 50/50 the smell went away. I think the antifreeze was boiling off more because it was too strong.

 

[Clevy]

You can buy a coolant tester in any auto parts store

 

[FowVay]

Without knowing what vehicle you are speaking of it is difficult to know the cooling system capacity. You also didn't mention how big the bottles were that they charged you for.

Here in the States the VW dealer sells their coolant in one gallon containers. Generally you'd buy one gallon of coolant and mix it with one gallon of distilled water and that'd be enough for a complete system replacment on a typical four cylinder.

I guess it's possible that your mechanic is selling coolant by the quart/liter in which case it would take four of them. Or it might be 50/50 mix in the 1.5 liter bottles that some companies sell. We just don't know what you bought.

Regardless, Volkswagen's specified method of checking coolant concentration is with a refractometer as mentioned previously. The correct mix is 50/50 coolant and water. You should never use straight coolant.

 

[Warstud]

A 50/50 coolant mixture will give you roughly a -40 F reading. So start from there.

 

[eljefino]

Take a sample and dilute it 1:1, 1:2, etc. Put the samples in your freezer.

Find a chart online about when EG antifreeze "freezes" (slushes up) at what percentage the temp of a typical home freezer, -10C or whatever.

You'll know if you're diluting already diluted, or virgin fresh 100%.

 

[Isaac]

Originally Posted By: FowVay
Without knowing what vehicle you are speaking of it is difficult to know the cooling system capacity. You also didn't mention how big the bottles were that they charged you for.


My car is a 2002 VW Jetta with 1.8T engine. The coolant bottle they use are 32 ounces each one. They use 4

THX,

Isaac

 

[rslifkin]

4 32 ounce bottles is 1 gallon. If they drained the system most of the way, then a gallon of coolant plus a gallon of water would be about right to refill it.