Winterizing time

Posted by Nate Nagel on October 3, 2009, 4:55 pm

Jim Elbrecht wrote:

> On Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:26:02 -0500, me@privacy.net wrote:
>

>>> The car is three years old so I may do the antifreeze, but then again, I may
>>> not. I've often gone five+ years with the newer stuff, unlike the 50's and
>>> 60's.

>> This is something I struggle with too...whether or not
>> it is even necessary to change antifreeze every year!

>
> My GM manual says 5 yrs or 150k miles.
>
> My son's Audi says *don't* change it.
>
> Jim

I'm not normally the kind of guy that makes blanket statements telling
people to disregard the manual... but when a manual tells you that a
fluid never needs to be changed, it's wrong.

That said, 5 years on a closed system with modern OAT antifreeze is
probably OK.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Posted by dpb on October 3, 2009, 5:01 pm

Jim Elbrecht wrote:
...

> My son's Audi says *don't* change it.

Ever???!!!

Then again, guess they're interest is in selling more Audis, not in
keeping existing ones going... ( :) sorta'... )

--

Posted by Oren on October 3, 2009, 6:11 pm

On Sat, 03 Oct 2009 13:26:02 -0500, me@privacy.net wrote:

>>The car is three years old so I may do the antifreeze, but then again, I may
>>not. I've often gone five+ years with the newer stuff, unlike the 50's and
>>60's.

>This is something I struggle with too...whether or not
>it is even necessary to change antifreeze every year!

I don't have an original article. But a DAGS link.

Check for electrolysis

------------

Try this:

Take a digital volt meter and connect the negative lead to battery
ground and place the positive lead in the coolant in the radiator (do
not touch any metal), you should not show voltage over 0.01V, if you
do then change the coolant and try again.

Now run the motor with no accessories on and the engine runnign at
2000rpm, if you show voltage above 0.03v then you have a system
leaking electricity into the coolant. Run the engine with all
accessories on and watch the voltmeter as an assistant turns off the
accessories one at a time, when the voltage drops below 0.01v you have
found the circuit with a poor ground. Do the same test while cranking
the starter, a poorly grounded starter can destroy the radiator and or
heater core in a matter of weeks.

Here is a bit from an industry newsletter about coolant:

http://www.frybrid.com/forum/showthread.php?p=44052

Posted by Wayne Boatwright on October 3, 2009, 1:51 pm

On Sat 03 Oct 2009 09:06:12a, cshenk told us...

> Hi All,
>
> It's that time again. I'm hoping I don't forget any parts this year. I
> took care of the car (flushed radiatior, refilled with new antifreeze). I
> know we need to check all caulking around the house (next weekend). Also
> drag out the space heaters for the garage and sunroom.
>
> What else do the rest of you do?
>

almost nothing. We water the plants less as the cooler temperatures come.

--

~~ If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it. ~~

~~ A mind is a terrible thing to lose. ~~

**********************************************************

Wayne Boatwright

Posted by Marina on October 3, 2009, 3:14 pm

> Hi All,
>
> It's that time again. I'm hoping I don't forget any parts this year.
> I took care of the car (flushed radiatior, refilled with new
> antifreeze). I know we need to check all caulking around the house
> (next weekend). Also drag out the space heaters for the garage and
> sunroom.
>
> What else do the rest of you do?
>
>

Had to turn on the furnace, already. 62 inside is too cold.

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Winterizing time - Page 4