Coolant/water ratio too high?

flyhop · 07-11-2012, 12:19 PM

Long story short, I added straight coolant when I thought it was a gifted bottle of 50/50 diluted mixture. Best I can figure, I have 80/20 mixture in car.

As I have just put in a new ECTS, t-stat, water pump and radiator hoses, I sure don't want to have a coolant ratio that will do damage.

Thanks.

dbsanfte · 07-11-2012, 12:20 PM

The highest you should ever really go, ever, is 70/30, and that's for Alaska or Northwestern Ontario in the dead of winter

Drain some and dilute that a bit.

flyhop · 07-11-2012, 12:27 PM

Short of a turkey baster in the reservoir tank, how does one go about pulling out a little coolant?

dsquare86 · 07-11-2012, 12:30 PM

Very carefully open the radiator drain to allow about a quart or so into a bucket.

todd8 · 07-11-2012, 12:31 PM

There is a small petcock drain on the radiator - passenger side. It's plastic, so becalf when turning.

flyhop · 07-11-2012, 12:39 PM

I know what you mean...I had some fun with that drain two days ago.

Just for fun, I'm going to ask.

Is there a way to determine the actual mix ratio I've got in there now? Would a hydrometer work? I've got two in my homebrew stuff.

dsquare86 · 07-11-2012, 12:49 PM

They sell antifreeze testers at parts store and even Wal-Mart that will tell you that. I haven't ever used one myself other than to suck brake fluid out of my reservoir. Somehow I don't think that was in the instructions.

OldNuc · 07-11-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyhop

Long story short, I added straight coolant when I thought it was a gifted bottle of 50/50 diluted mixture. Best I can figure, I have 80/20 mixture in car.

As I have just put in a new ECTS, t-stat, water pump and radiator hoses, I sure don't want to have a coolant ratio that will do damage.

Thanks.

That will hurt nothing at all. If it is a concern just siphon 1 1/2 quart of mixture out of teh reservoir (it holds almost 2 quarts) and refill with distilled water. Draining from radiator is not a good idea

The magic technique is siphon.

alordofchaos · 07-11-2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyhop

Is there a way to determine the actual mix ratio I've got in there now? Would a hydrometer work? I've got two in my homebrew stuff.

"Coolant disaster" thread was just a few threads down

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho....php?t=181959#

OldNuc · 07-11-2012, 07:53 PM

In the coolant disaster thread, the magic words are Refractometer, eBay, $25.00

07-11-2012, 12:19 PM	#1
flyhop Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Newton, NC Posts: 745 flyhop's Photos 2000 SL2	Coolant/water ratio too high? Long story short, I added straight coolant when I thought it was a gifted bottle of 50/50 diluted mixture. Best I can figure, I have 80/20 mixture in car. As I have just put in a new ECTS, t-stat, water pump and radiator hoses, I sure don't want to have a coolant ratio that will do damage. Thanks.

07-11-2012, 12:20 PM	#2
dbsanfte Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London, UK Posts: 392 1999 SW2	Re: Coolant/water ratio too high? The highest you should ever really go, ever, is 70/30, and that's for Alaska or Northwestern Ontario in the dead of winter Drain some and dilute that a bit.

07-11-2012, 12:27 PM	#3
flyhop Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Newton, NC Posts: 745 flyhop's Photos 2000 SL2	Re: Coolant/water ratio too high? Short of a turkey baster in the reservoir tank, how does one go about pulling out a little coolant?

07-11-2012, 12:30 PM	#4
dsquare86 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Western MD Posts: 243 2002 SL1 2001 SL2	Re: Coolant/water ratio too high? Very carefully open the radiator drain to allow about a quart or so into a bucket. ... Derek 2002 Saturn SL1 SOHC 5 Speed. 2001 Saturn SL2 DOHC 5 Speed - Retired.

07-11-2012, 12:31 PM	#5
todd8 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 111	Re: Coolant/water ratio too high? There is a small petcock drain on the radiator - passenger side. It's plastic, so becalf when turning.

07-11-2012, 12:39 PM	#6
flyhop Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Newton, NC Posts: 745 flyhop's Photos 2000 SL2	Re: Coolant/water ratio too high? I know what you mean...I had some fun with that drain two days ago. Just for fun, I'm going to ask. Is there a way to determine the actual mix ratio I've got in there now? Would a hydrometer work? I've got two in my homebrew stuff.

07-11-2012, 12:49 PM	#7
dsquare86 Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Western MD Posts: 243 2002 SL1 2001 SL2	Re: Coolant/water ratio too high? They sell antifreeze testers at parts store and even Wal-Mart that will tell you that. I haven't ever used one myself other than to suck brake fluid out of my reservoir. Somehow I don't think that was in the instructions. ... Derek 2002 Saturn SL1 SOHC 5 Speed. 2001 Saturn SL2 DOHC 5 Speed - Retired.

07-11-2012, 07:53 PM	#10
OldNuc Super Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Far Southwestern Iowa Posts: 66,694 OldNuc's Photos 1998 SC2	Re: Coolant/water ratio too high? In the coolant disaster thread, the magic words are Refractometer, eBay, $25.00

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