Traditional Green Coolant shelf life

[pbm]

I have a few gallons of traditional green coolant (Zerex and Peak brands) and was wondering about shelf life. In an older thread a member stated that the coolant can still prevent freezing and yet its corrosion protection properties may have degraded. He mentioned a test for determining if the 'corrosion protection' was still good. I've used the SEARCH function but can't find the thread.
Does anybody know what can be tested to determine if 6 or 7 year old, unopened A/F is still good? Thanks

 

[FusilliJerry82]

I would think a regular coolant test strip would tell you the condition of unused coolant as adequately as coolant in a system.

 

[mechanicx]

I think Green would tend to have a lower shelf life than the OATs. The OATs usually say up to 7 years shelf life. I don't think a test strip will tell you much of anything about the condition of the inhibitor package. The base anti-freeze should be good for maybe up to 20 years sealed.

6 or 7 years old is really pushing it but I think if the anti-freeze was sealed it should still be good.If you shake it up good before installing, it should be good for the 2 year service life in use IMO.

 

[mechanicx]

I just wanted to add that a coolant tester strip might be useful that tests the pH and the reserve alkaline level. If these are normal than the inhibitors are probably intact. It's just hard to really test a coolants inhibitors directly without sending a sample in for a coolant analysis.

 

[pbm]

I think the old thread that I mentioned talked about testing for RA and PH to determine the condition of the inhibitors. Thanks