Anti-Freeze Test Strips

[carterchapman]

The diesel guys use these more than us gas guys, but my 8.1 Gas Engine Manual says:

Coolant in fresh water section should be changed per Maintenance Schedule recommendations
and should be checked for alkalinity at least once between change intervals.​

1. Obtain pink litmus paper from a local supplier.
2. Remove pressure cap from coolant reservoir and insert one end of litmus paper into
coolant.
3. If pink litmus paper turns blue, coolant is alkaline and need not be replaced.​

4. If pink litmus paper remains pink, coolant is not alkaline and MUST BE REPLACED,
refer to Changing Coolant.

Does anyone have a source for these litmus paper test strips?​

 

[Sum Escape]

Found this on the Cummins diesel site. There must be an equivalent on the Mercruiser site.

Quik-Chek​

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™ Coolant Quality Test Strips​

With proper maintenance, Fleetguard ES Compleat™ coolant
can last for the major overhaul life of the engine. However, when
poor quality make-up water is added to the system or when
minimum coolant maintenance is not observed, pH levels can
rise or fall to dangerous levels and contaminants (Sulfate and
Chloride) can rise to unacceptable levels. When this occurs,
coolants must be drained and replaced immediately. To help
customers determine the quality of their coolants, Fleetguard
has developed revolutionary Quik-Chek​

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™ Coolant Quality Test
Strips. In a matter of minutes the pH, Sulfate and Chloride levels
in a coolant can be determined. If results fall within acceptable limits, the coolant can be used until the next service interval with confidence. The Quik-Chek™ Coolant Quality Test Strips are available in bottles of 10 test strips (CC2718).

Good luck.​

 

[carterchapman]

Thanks Escape,

I knew one of you diesel guys would have the answer. The Cummins site says I can get them at the John Deere dealer 4 miles away.

I should have firgured that one out on my own!!

 

[320Bob]

Carter,
I have a John Deere gasoline powered lawn tractor and I got my strips at my JD dealer to test mine.

 

[carterchapman]

Thanks Bob,

That's who i'll try.

 

[carterchapman]

So much for that idea! When the JD parts guy wouldn't even make eye contact when I asked him for "antifreeze litmus test strips" I knew it was a lost cause. Then when he said they use a suction tester in the shop, I really knew it was a lost cause!

So strike one on the search. Probably should have gone to the CAT dealer in the first place!

 

[Four Suns]

Carter,

I get all the diagnostic stuff for my Cummins from Ryder (along with all my filters, etc.)...

Is this what you are looking for?

http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/c...D=ccccadejhdejeddcfkmcgfmdfoldflm.0&oid=52523

On my Cummins, they make additives for the coolant to keep the chemical makeup all in check based on what these test strips show... not sure how that applies to your engines... The closed loop coolant system on my diesels actually has a filter on it that strains out any particulate matter as well as adds chemicals to keep the coolant in check. Based on what the test strips show will determine what filter cartridge needs to be put on the engine.

 

[carterchapman]

Thanks Gary,

That's exactly what I was looking for - my JD dealer was a true "deer in the headlights" look.. With our GM 8.1 based gassers, it may be a moot point. The schedule for changing our 19 qts of 50/50 Dex Cool and water is exactly the same as for the auto versions: every 5 years. Our GM V-8 SUVs say every 5 years or 100,000 miles - whichever comes first.

Mercruiser says test them with strips at 2 1/2 years. They are not as sophisticated as the diesels as they have no antifreeze filters or method to add additives.