Changing coolant yearly or lack thereof.

[GeneV]

So, found something interesting today. I changed coolant last year on my GC1710, used this stuff:



I had no intention of changing coolant this year, not as though the tractor is a daily driver or anything. Anyways, today I stumbled on my el cheapo coolant tester, so since it's in my hand, why not. Tested the coolant and found this:



I thought maybe there's a problem with the tester, so tested some of this same coolant leftover in the container, and got 3 balls floating from that (safe to -10 deg). So yeh, this is surprising, and looks like I'm changing coolant this year after all.

 

[mcfarmall]

That's why I don't use "ready to use" coolant. I buy Prestone coolant and mix it myself.

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

Aside from the jug that you showed compared to the fluid is the wrong color, what are you trying to prove/say?

Myself, I am going with whatever you are testing is not the STP Heavy Duty.

 

[number two]

I only trust a refractometer anymore,not those hydrometers.
For the Kubota's I mix green coolant 50/50 with distilled water.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I have two cars here I drug out of the woods. 1964 Ford galaxies. Thunderbird 390 engines. Last drove in 1972. Antifreeze still good in them.

 

[Cycledude]

I switched to pre mixed coolant about 20 years ago, it’s rated for 5 years or 150,000 miles

 

[LD1]

Why are you only getting -10 out of 50-50 stuff out of the jug?

 

[RandyT]

I have found that the new coolant types don't have the same specific gravity of the old antifreezes and therefore doesn't work well with the older testers. Try it with a new tester designed for the newer coolants.

 

[GeneV]

Aside from the jug that you showed compared to the fluid is the wrong color, what are you trying to prove/say?

Myself, I am going with whatever you are testing is not the STP Heavy Duty.

OMG, you figured it out, my post is a big lie!

 

[GeneV]

Why are you only getting -10 out of 50-50 stuff out of the jug?

I have found that the new coolant types don't have the same specific gravity of the old antifreezes and therefore doesn't work well with the older testers. Try it with a new tester designed for the newer coolants.

These are good points, fellas. Maybe it is the tester too, will pick up a new one at TSC today. In any case, looks like a year in the radiator degraded the coolant, which is strange.