Hydrometer test

AndAndDen · Post by **AndAndDen** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:14 pm

Could someone tell me please what the hydrometer should read after testing my antifreeze? Would be much appreciated if you could tell me in Simple terms. ( I have just bought one).Done 400 miles since i bought my Bongo,temperature gauge is running normal at about 11 o,clock. Big thankyou in advance. Andy

ferdyb · Post by **ferdyb** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:36 pm

I seem to remember there are four possibilities.

1) is it ethalene glycol

2) is it methanol

3) is it cold

4) is it hot

depending on which of the above applies, you look at the temperature level on the float and read off the temperature - this is the freezing point of your coolant.

If you have a mixture of 1 and 2, it's anyone's guess !

ferdy

Colin Lambert · Post by **Colin Lambert** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:39 pm

If it's Methanol, get rid of it immediately It is useless and can catch fire even when mixed with water. It also evaporates, so within a month or 3 it is useless. Monoethylene Glycol is the only one worth going for. Read the container. Very little Methanol sold now for the reasons stated.

AndAndDen · Post by **AndAndDen** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:59 pm

Thanks All, Not sure what is in the cooling system.! I presume Monoethylene Glycol is what is used in the Anti- freeze.! Regards. Andy

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:30 am

Well if you aren't sure what's in there then you don't know how old it is do you? Better off replacing it with a mix of 33 - 50% ethylene glycol / deionized water then you know it's right. Remember to follow the correct refilling procedure though.

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 12:48 pm

No one answered the original question???????????????????????

Is there an answer in very simple terms if I am using ethylene glycol and the system is cold?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:06 pm

No because the specific gravity is dependant on temperature, viscosity, pressure and chemical composition

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... i_n9401588

that's why I suggested chuck it out and start again.

AndAndDen · Post by **AndAndDen** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:06 pm

So to change my coolant i need 50% anti- freeze and 50% Deionized Water. Is this correct. Thankyou. Andy again.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:07 pm

Sorry AndandDen I was replying to Vanmanerik. Yes, a decent ethylene glycol based antifreeze diluted 50/50 with deionised water.

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:07 pm

SO - Is there an answer in very simple terms if I am using ethylene glycol and the system is cold??

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:11 pm

Not unless someone has published on the web a eutectic graph showing concentration v temperature

AndAndDen · Post by **AndAndDen** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:23 pm

Thankyou very much Veg- Ian for putting this question in very simple terms.

.What i am trying to do is gather as much info as possible for my mechanic who has looked after my vehicles for many years, but this is his first Bongo he will be working on.Thanks once again. Andy

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:30 pm

Coolant wise the Bongo is no different to any other vehicle. What your mechanic must do though is go through the laborious routine of expelling all the air when refilling the system.

Hydrometer test

Hydrometer test

Anti Freeze