Scotty, et al:
The local PBS station was showing season 41 episode 25 of Motor Week, and on the segment of Goss' Gargage, the topic was antifreeze. Pat Goss mentioned in addition to checking the freezing temperature of the coolant with a hydrometer and test strips to to measure Ph/acidity, he said to use a voltmeter (his was digital), set it to measure low voltage, touch the negative lead to the negative terminal of the battery, and submerse the positive probe into the fluid in the radiator. If the voltage measures .5 or more, replace the antifreeze because it indicates corrosion. This is the 1st I ever heard of this. What is your opinion of doing this as a part of coolant maintenance?
Patrick Goss, also known as Pat Goss passed away March 19, 2022 at the age of 80. He was a regular on PBS's Motor Week for over 40 years in segments called Goss' Garage. His 1st episode started in 1981, he appeared on the final episode a day before his death.
Thanks for the info. Very sad. He also did a syndicated Saturday morning radio show in the pre internet days where people could call in with their car questions called Goss' Garage. He was a likeable guy.
I never did this cause I have a hydrometer but it makes sense that any liquid, coolant, water, etc. that has any mineral content would be conductive. For example, if you got in your bathtub and threw a toaster in it, you'd get elecrtocuted. If you filled the tub with distilled water where all the minerals were removed and did the same thing, you would not get electrocuted. Same reason people take vitamins with minerals because your body needs the minerals to transmit the electrical impulses in your body.
I still wouldn't recommend bathing with a toaster. Your skin is covered in salt.
Me either.
Clearly you guys have never been late for work, necessitating breakfast while in the shower..
I just replace per instructions in the owner's manual or label on the bottle. I haven't had any corrosion.
There will be current flow through the antifreeze that indicates electrolysis and results in a voltage drop. Like the PBS show stated, above 0.5 VDC is a good indicator that you need to change the coolant. Be sure to do a flush also. The pH is important so that the coolant isn't too acidic which will eat away the metal. Lot's of youtube videos on this subject. Doing those 3 tests will tell you the quality of the coolant and could save you some money and the hassle of too frequent coolant changes.
While measuring voltage may be helpful, it is not a reliable test to determine if the coolant needs to be replaced. There can be zero volts, and the antifreeze could still need replacing. Using an antifreeze tester and going by the recommended lifetime is the proper way.
Of course. If any one of those tests fails the coolant needs to be replaced.
I appreciate everybody's input, thank you.