Fluid Life’s basic coolant package determines if your existing cooling formulation is providing adequate protection.
Test Descriptions
Preliminary Observations
Identifies macro sources of coolant contamination and degradation.
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Color and appearance in a visual check; clear and bright is what you want to maintain.
- Precipitate inspection for particulate matter floating in the coolant.
Odor checked by a lab technician for obvious foreign odors such as oil, fuel, and ammonia.
For more information on how Fluid Life reports preliminary observations, please download Coolant Analysis Interpretation Guide.
pH (ASTM D1287)
- The measure of acidity or alkalinity of water. Low coolant pH will result in significant corrosion when heated while high pH may lead to copper and aluminum corrosion.
Ion Chromatography (ASTM D5827)
- Determines the level of chlorides and other anions in parts per million(PPM). Sources are degradation by-products or additives. Some potential detectables are Chlorides, Formates, Glycolates, Nitrites, Phosphate, Sulphates, Molybdates and Oxalates. Due to interferences with some coolant formulations and chemistry, some of the above anions may not be reportable.
Conductivity (µS/cm)
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This is the measure of the coolant's ability to resist carrying an electrical current between two dissimilar metals. Excessive levels can be due to improper water, high metal corrosion, or over treatment with supplemental coolant additives (SCAs). If conductivity is too high, harmful pitting and corrosion can occur.
Boiling Point (ASTM R1-D3321)
- The temperature at which a coolant will boil at sea level. A refractometer is used to determine the percent of glycol in the coolant to determine its boiling point. The ratio of water to glycol will determine what is optimal for the coolant. System temperatures should never be at or near the boiling point.
Freeze Point (ASTM R1-D3321)
- The temperature at which a coolant will freeze at sea level. A refractometer is used to determine the percent of glycol in the coolant to determine its freeze point. The ratio of water to glycol will determine what is optimal for maximum "antifreeze" properties. Cooling system and engine component failures may occur if coolant temperatures near or reach the freeze point.
Glycol Percentage (ASTM R1-D3321)
- Indicates the percent glycol in the coolant. In most applications a concentrate of 50/50 (glycol/water) is acceptable. When prolonged ambient temperatures are below 22°F a 60/40 mixture is recommended. If glycol concentrate is higher than 70%, the freeze point is not improved and the heat transfer capacity is reduced and additives may not be totally soluable.
For more information please download Basic Coolant Analysis.