I picked up a coolant tester and checked 3 of my vehicles. My 95 Suburban was set good. but both the wagon and my Explorer where reading low protection. I am wondering what is the best way to increase the protection. I think they may just have too much water in the coolant. I was thinking of just draining some off and adding more 100% antifreeze. I am wondering if the wrong mixture could have been the problem with my wagon over heating?? Tim
Drain some out and add 1 gallon of pure antifreeze, that should raise it. Antifreeze does more than just keep water from freezing, it also lubricates the water pump and keeps the internals from rusting. In time antifreeze becomes acidic and will actually develop a negative charge. Modern vehicles have a lot of different metals in them, cast blocks, aluminum heads and water pumps, etc. (Even our old school Buick engines have alum timing covers, W/P, t-stat housings) newer formula antifreezes(like the extended life varieties) have chemicals that actually coat the engines internals and protect them from oxidation, however these chemicals break down and even though it may show you are good to -34 degrees, you still have no protection against rust. For this reason the manufacturers of cars and of antifreeze recommend a complete flush every 36,000 miles. If you have not had a professional radiator flush done in the last 3 years you owe it to your engine to get one. If they are a nice shop, see if you can get them to backflush the heatercore while they are at it, the heater core sits lowest in the system and can accumulate a lot of sediment that reduces it's capacity, Winter is coming, it would be nice to have as much heat as when the car was new. And yes I do work at a repair shop, that's why I sound like a sales pitch.
A 50/50, or 60/40 maximum mix is recommended for best cooling or freeze protection, based on the cooling system capacity. Any additional antifreeze will not be of any benefit to the vehicle or your wallet. In addition to all the benefits mentioned in the previous post, antifreeze raises the boiling point of the coolant in a pressurized cooling system - so a weak mixture could have affected the cooling capability of the coolant in your wagon. :TU:
I agree except that I am happy with every 5 years (as long as it is a complete flush), and if you are on this board then you probably don't need a "professional" job (I assume you are competent and can do it yourself). -Bob C.
