Testing Ph level in radiator

[JL66REDCPE]

How do you test the Ph level in your radiator.

 

[vettepilot]

How do you test the Ph level in your radiator.

I don't know if you will get the same accuracy, but if you have some test strips around for testing the swimming pool PH I would think they should work. I never thought about it before. I would think PH is PH regardless of the make up of the liquid.

vettepilot

 

[DRTH VTR]

If I remember right, pH is the negative inverse of the hydrogen ion concentration. Aqueous pH is aqueous pH. Strips that work in a swimming pool should work in radiator fluid, it seems to me. If I am wrong, someone will chime in here. But I think that is correct in the practical real world.

 

[myonnone]

If I remember right, pH is the negative inverse of the hydrogen ion concentration.

Very close.
pH is the -logH+ or to put it another way it is the negative log of the hydrogen ion conenctration. The pH test strips should work.

 

[JL66REDCPE]

Thank you everyone for the grerat responses

 

[Montana]

A little help guys........

Ahhh, er,,um....OK, Why would you test the ph in your radiator? Pardon my ignorance. Enquiring minds want to know...............

 

[JL66REDCPE]

A high acid condition will promote rust.

 

[redvett]

PH Level

A high acid condition will promote rust.

Just checking the PH does not help much. The antifreeze looses its lubrication & corrosion properties over time and then starts to attack the cast iron & aluminum also the waterpump will not be lubricated.
Best bet is to flush the system every 2-3 years.

 

[JonM]

And use bottled water?

 

[JohnZ]

As pointed out above, the anti-corrosion additive package in anti-freeze deteriorates as it does its job, and it should be replaced every two or three years; OEM's recommend using only distilled or de-ionized water for the 50-50 mix. Water pumps haven't needed lubrication for many years - they use sealed bearings.

 

[redvett]

As pointed out above, the anti-corrosion additive package in anti-freeze deteriorates as it does its job, and it should be replaced every two or three years; OEM's recommend using only distilled or de-ionized water for the 50-50 mix. Water pumps haven't needed lubrication for many years - they use sealed bearings.

Actually you do not need 50-50 mix unless you live where it gets -35 deg. below. Antifreeze is a poor heat conductor water is much better. Using a mix to -20 to 25 below is more than enough in most cases. If you park your baby in a unheated garage like i do it will never freeze inside.
I live in Michigan and none of my vehicles in cluding my new daily drivers are lower than -20 deg. Never have had a problem and helps in the summer cooling.