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Radiator Fluid Testing - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Radiator Fluid Testing (/showthread.php?tid=3636) |
Radiator Fluid Testing - Henry F. Claeys - 10-13-2006 16:04 (1) I'm planning to test my radiator's fluid for the first time. What type of tester is recommended, where to purchase, and what exactly am I testing for? (2) When testing the radiator fluid in the Kohler generator should I be looking for similar or different test results as compared with the main engine? Henry Claeys 1979 FC 35 Cat 3208 N.A., Austin, Tx. henry@... Radiator Fluid Testing - Scott - 10-14-2006 01:35 Henry Great question. I guess it depends on what you are testing for. If you are testing for temperature coverage then a simple tester from any auto parts store would work. If you are testing the condition of the antifreeze as it relates to chemical make up then there are test strips you can purchase at the local Napa, Cat Store, Truck repair facility. I generally go to the CAT store here and pick up a few while having service done and test it myself. You will be testing for Ph, Nitrites, and Nitrates. Most of the forum members simply test for Ph which while certainly important, not the only thing that should be tested. Generally, Ph will tell the condition of the antifreeze and whether or not it needs to have an additive, or whether it simply needs to be flushed/replaced. IMO the more damaging issues are the Nitrites and Nitrates, these two need to be within a range to help eliminate "cavitation" inside the motor. Cavitation can pit cylander walls and destroy the motor from inside out. I have seen cavitation totally destroy stainless steel propellors on boats. (prop burn) The tiny bubbles act like lots of little hammers on surfaces destroying them over time. Test the antifreeze with the test strips and adjust accordingly. You can buy a bottle of test strips but I think you get like 100 in a bottle which is probably a lifetime supply. Not to mention shelf life. Thats why I try to get a couple and test while having annual service. Hope this helps Scott B 86FC35 4SALE SC --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Henry F. Claeys" wrote: > > (1) I'm planning to test my radiator's fluid for the first time. What > type of tester is recommended, where to purchase, and what exactly am I > testing for? (2) When testing the radiator fluid in the Kohler > generator should I be looking for similar or different test results as > compared with the main engine? Henry Claeys 1979 FC 35 Cat 3208 N.A., > Austin, Tx. henry@... > Radiator Fluid Testing - Howard O. Truitt - 10-14-2006 02:07 Henry, I bought a bottle of test strips at the local auto parts store. Just tell then you need the strips to test the radiator water. Has instruction on the container, very simple to do. Howard Truitt Camilla, Ga. 86 PT40 ----- Original Message ----- From: Henry F. Claeys To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2006 12:04 AM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Radiator Fluid Testing (1) I'm planning to test my radiator's fluid for the first time. What type of tester is recommended, where to purchase, and what exactly am I testing for? (2) When testing the radiator fluid in the Kohler generator should I be looking for similar or different test results as compared with the main engine? Henry Claeys 1979 FC 35 Cat 3208 N.A., Austin, Tx. henry@... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.13.1/466 - Release Date: 10/7/2006 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Radiator Fluid Testing - chet geist - 10-14-2006 03:35 Henry, 50 coolant conditioner test strips from the CAT dealer $22.00. Address North IH35 at Pflugerville exit. Chet Geist 1981 FC33, Austin, Texas -----Original Message----- From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com [mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Henry F. Claeys Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 11:04 PM To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Radiator Fluid Testing (1) I'm planning to test my radiator's fluid for the first time. What type of tester is recommended, where to purchase, and what exactly am I testing for? (2) When testing the radiator fluid in the Kohler generator should I be looking for similar or different test results as compared with the main engine? Henry Claeys 1979 FC 35 Cat 3208 N.A., Austin, Tx. henry@... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Radiator Fluid Testing - Larry holland - 10-14-2006 13:42 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Henry F. Claeys" wrote: > > (1) I'm planning to test my radiator's fluid for the first time. What > type of tester is recommended, where to purchase, and what exactly am I > testing for? (2) When testing the radiator fluid in the Kohler > generator should I be looking for similar or different test results as > compared with the main engine? Henry Claeys 1979 FC 35 Cat 3208 N.A., > Austin, Tx. henry@... Henry, Stop by your friendly Caterpiller dealer and pick-up a radiator test kit. It consists of a small bottle for taking a sample of your radiator coolant, a label that you fill out and attach to the bottle, and a postage paid box to send the sample off to Cat Labs for analysis. The whole thing costs about $7.00 US. You will get a report back in about a week telling you what the PH is along with everything else they find in the coolant. They will recommend any action you should take to bring the coolant up to Cat. standard. The test strips work just fine, but you have to know what level of PH you are looking for. I tested my coolant last year with test strips and found that my coolant had a PH of 11. I thought that was high on the alkaline (basic) side. 7 is considered neutral, so each number above or below 7 changes the PH by a factor of 10. Caterpiller did't have any recomendation for me, so I have to believe that an 11PH is within specs. PH is just one of the things that you need to know with regard to anti-freeze coolant. Caterpiller also has a test kit for your engine oil. It is a little more expensive, but loaded with information about what is going on inside your engine. They will make recomendations based on what they find in your used motor oil( water, copper, iron , etc). If your coolant isn't correct you could have cavitation going on in the engine water jacket. Cavitation will erode the metal inside the water jacket. The test sample will tell if there is any cavitation going on. Hope this long post helps. Keep it between the lines out there on the road. Larry Holland 82FC35SB 3208T > |