halfords antifreezer tester on my passat

[attila_tdi]

My tdi b5.5 have a small coolant leak a month ago which meant i had to top up header tank twice. Anyway coolant isnno longerbleaking due to radweld.

Due to the forthcoming freezing nights i am a bit concerned of the antifreeze capabilities so bought one of those old school antifreeze testers from halfords with the green and white bit.

If u know what i am talking about then u will have used said item.

Anyway...i just tested with the engine cold but the measurement lies in the green sectiob which according to instructions is when the engine is hot...engine been off all day.

I am very confused! Anyone can help please? Ta very much!

[martin1810]

What antifreeze do you have in the car. Pink antifreeze can't be tested with the old style testers.

[attila_tdi]

I think its g12. it should be pink but its quite faded which makes me think it needs some anyway. I only bought today from halfords but the style looks like the one my dad used to have. I guess it cant be used with g12 then?

[snapdragon]

If it says so, it can be used with Ethylene Glycol based coolant which G12 usually is. Is this a glass hydrometer with a floating glass tube inside?

Usually they have a hot scale and a cold scale.

You may as well change it if it looks weak. You can get G12 (Glysantin) anywhere now, motor factors are cheaper than Halfords. Comma do a reasonably priced one.

[attila_tdi]

Yes its the glass one with the float...i'll try again tomo but i can't understand why it reads on the green bit when the engine is cold.

Think i will just replace the coolant at a later stage

[Steven715]

Yes its the glass one with the float...i'll try again tomo but i can't understand why it reads on the green bit when the engine is cold.

Think i will just replace the coolant at a later stage

Sooner the better as -8 hear in Bedfordshire as the sun was comming up today.

[martin1810]

Yes its the glass one with the float...i'll try again tomo but i can't understand why it reads on the green bit when the engine is cold.

Think i will just replace the coolant at a later stage

The G12 can be ethylene glycol or propylene glycol based. Your tester is for ethylene glycol. If the antifreeze is propylene, the tester will read wrong or may not read at all.
It's a common mistake made by lots of garage technicians. The main reason being that antifreeze often doesn't tell you if it is propylene glycol.