Radiator Fluid Testing

[Henry F. Claeys]

(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@...

[Scott]

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@...
>

[Howard O. Truitt]

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@...






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[chet geist]

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]

[Larry holland]

--- 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
>