Engine Coolant change and how to check if it NEEDS it...

Coolant change and how to check if it NEEDS it...

Changed the coolant again today...I took my time and did the job right by measuring everything that came out and everything that went back in.

Just FYI:

Radiator holds ~ 3.75qt.
Heater core ~ 0.75qt
Block ~ 0.5 qt
Reservoir ~ 1 qt.

That adds up to ~ 6 quarts - that's what I got out total.

So, where is that other quart at? Capacity is 6.9qt. Does that include the reservoir???

Another little tidbit of info:

How to check whether your coolant is worn out and needs replacement (neat little trick I had never heard of)......

Get a voltmeter, place the negative probe on the battery's negative terminal and the positive probe in the neck of the radiator making sure it is only touching ONLY the coolant and NOT the sides of the radiator or anything solid. If the coolant is good, it should read 0.2V or less. 0.2V-0.7V is borderline, and 0.7V or higher definitely needs replacement. This test should be done with the coolant warm (not HOT...that would be BAD). This is actually a MORE accurate test than the pH strips.

Late,
Trav