antifreeze

[woodchuck]

To start off I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas & a healthy and happy new year.
Now for my question. I am getting ready to store my :spyder2: and when I went to check the coolant, it was so low that I could not get any coolant into the antifreeze tester to test it to see how well I am protected for the winter. What can I add that will mix with the :spyder2: antifreeze or do I have to drain what is in there and replace with new? The dealers are quite a distance away from me to get coolant from them.
I never seen any leaks under the spyder when it was parked in the garage. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks again.

 

[BajaRon]

To start off I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas & a healthy and happy new year.
Now for my question. I am getting ready to store my :spyder2: and when I went to check the coolant, it was so low that I could not get any coolant into the antifreeze tester to test it to see how well I am protected for the winter. What can I add that will mix with the :spyder2: antifreeze or do I have to drain what is in there and replace with new? The dealers are quite a distance away from me to get coolant from them.
I never seen any leaks under the spyder when it was parked in the garage. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks again.

If you are just down a little bit you can add some distilled water (not tap or bottled water). A small amount won't affect your numbers.

Then be sure to run your spyder to operating temp to flow and mix what you've added with what was already in the system.

Then, let it cool and you can check the antifreeze.

If your level is down quite a ways then you would have to add Antifreeze instead of just water.

 

[M2Wild]

The AF do get burned off a little from time to time. I just add the pre-mixed stuff and be done with it (as long as there is no leak). Make sure the cap is on tight. You might also want to consider putting in a bottle of "ice" instead. The coolent "ice" helps the radiator dissapate heat a little better. Pros and cons depends on who you talk to on here.

 

[Campverdefela]

The AF do get burned off a little from time to time. I just add the pre-mixed stuff and be done with it (as long as there is no leak). Make sure the cap is on tight. You might also want to consider putting in a bottle of "ice" instead. The coolent "ice" helps the radiator dissapate heat a little better. Pros and cons depends on who you talk to on here.

Adding Ice didn't do anything for mine. I found that having your engine running its best, such as not too lean, throttle bodies balanced, good plugs and wires, etc will allow it too run its coolest.

 

[NancysToy]

The question is whether the coolant level is below normal, or just too low in the coolant bottle for the tester to reach. You do not want to overfill the system, just to get enough liquid to test. A longer syringe or hose can withdraw some liquid to put into a small cup, temporarily, so you can use your tester.

If your fluid level is below the minimum level for the coolant temperature when checked, you should add a 50:50 mix of the appropriate antifreeze/water mixture. The pre-mixed stuff is the easiest. make sure it says that it is suitable for aluminum engines...most do, but some cheap brands do not. You will want to run the engine at full operating temperature for a while, to properly mix and distribute the added coolant. Be sure not to overfill. The level will change as the engine heats up. Also be sure to turn the cap back to the second detent. You will get coolant overflow if it is only at the first stop.

I disagree that coolant loss is normal...especially in a small capacity system like this. If your level is low, you should find the cause.

 

[Marker]

:agree: