How To Test Engine Coolant/Antifreeze Using a DMM

Рет қаралды 35,292

Күн бұрын

A simple way to test/check the condition of engine coolant(antifreeze) in your vehicle using only a digital multimeter. The first test is performed with or without the engine running once the engine has been allowed to reach "Normal Operating Temperature" with the radiator cap OFF. The 2nd test is done with the engine OFF. Enjoy!
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DISCLAIMER: Working on any engine that's hot or running can be very dangerous. Do as shown in this video at your own risk. The viewer accepts full responsibility for any injuries or deaths that may result his/her actions or inactions while performing the test shown in this video. Make sure long hair has been tied back, and no loose clothing is worn. If you disconnect the battery cable on your vehicle, you may have to reprogram certain components. Once reconnecting the battery, always allow the engine to idle a few minutes with all accessories turned off before driving.

Пікірлер: 82

@MiracleMAX 7 жыл бұрын

Great video as usual. A few things that might need to be noted: You must switch on all electrical items such as rear demist, headlights, spotlights, etc to gain an accurate reading. This puts the electrical system on load and will encourage electrolysis, making it easier to identify. Secondly, it might be worth mentioning that if the battery cables are removed, some systems will loose their radio codes. It is important to make sure you have the codes to re-enter after the cables are reconnected. Well done on another excellent video!

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

That's true. A very good idea to repeat the test with all electrical items turned on. Yes, some vehicles will require codes to be re-entered.

@kriskarera 7 жыл бұрын

electronicsNmore Nice video. I was wondering if the same applies for a diesel generator?

@KNACPUREROCK Жыл бұрын

Out of most KZfaq videos out there, you’re the only person who did negative to ground and positive to coolant !!! Thank you!! Good job !!!

@F.Krueger-cs4vk 4 жыл бұрын

I change my engine coolant every 2 years, irrespective of millage. I use a nulon brand, red coloured concentrate anti freeze/boil. My vehicle cooling system capacity is 10 liters. i use 5 liters of concentrate & 5 liters of water, 50 :50 ratio mix. Excellent information, thankyou. Cheers from 🇦🇺.

@electronicsNmore 4 жыл бұрын

Always a pleasure to have viewers from Down Under! :-) Be sure to look over my extensive video playlists that cover a wide range of subjects for other videos of interest to you, and most importantly share my channel with many others. Thanks kzfaq.infoplaylists

@tooterr102e.9 7 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy learning new things. A definite thumbs up video. Thank you for sharing.

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching

@spoton7683 2 жыл бұрын

Spot ON! THANKS! 👍

@nickayivor8432 Жыл бұрын

Questions time the no charts for this no customer will believe in this electronicsNmore thanks for sharing it From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

@Pyridox 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for showing this testing method. You would have made a great VoTech instructor!

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

You're welcome, and thanks for the kind words! Be sure to check out my video playlists, rate thumbs up, and share my videos with others. Thanks

@joselaureano2046 Жыл бұрын

Good video pal!

@electronicsNmore Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video Jose! Be sure to check out my wide range of videos and share. Thank you

@kojohammond8531 2 жыл бұрын

great tutorial. is it possible to do a video on all the sensors in an automotive, especially how to test them with a multimeter (volts reading) and how the graph per sensor should look like when connected. Thanks

@Pro1er 6 жыл бұрын

If you have a new model car, I don't recommend disconnecting the battery unless you have a way to keep voltage to the system. Disconnecting the battery can sometimes cause the computers or sensors to act flaky.

@electronicsNmore 6 жыл бұрын

Yes, check out my other video below. Thanks for watching! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/f9x5aa6YqNWVY2Q.html

@MaikEletrica 7 жыл бұрын

Very nice!

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Be sure to rate thumbs up and share. Thanks

@FredFlintstone21 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video! I checked my coolant in my 2015 corolla, and the voltage started at .2 and kept dropping. If I recall right, I pulled the lead out of the coolant at .14

@PapaWheelie1 7 жыл бұрын

Great idea / subscribed

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I have many excellent videos shown on this channel. Be sure to check out my video playlists, rate thumbs up, and share. Definitely watch my "Automotive & Mechanical" playlist.

@joef.3094 5 жыл бұрын

ain't science grand ! another good video; hope you keep them coming.

@electronicsNmore 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Joe! Be sure to look over my extensive video playlists for other great videos of interest to you and share..

@tnamen1307 5 жыл бұрын

@@electronicsNmore Nice video. I put the 2 leads of multimeter into the coolant radiator and it gives 0.02 v. However, when I put one lead inside of radiator and other lead to negative of battery, it gives .20 volt. Why is this reading different???

@geojor 7 жыл бұрын

good one ...

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@rmf11699 7 жыл бұрын

New to the channel, thanks for the info! Water heaters in your home have a sacrificial anode as well that needs replacing. Not sure if you already have a video for that. Maybe your next video!

@electronicsNmore 6 жыл бұрын

They're easy to swap out. Turn off the power and water supply to the heater, drain out some water, then under the plastic cap on top of the water heater is the anode. Use a socket to remove it. :-)

@Inspironator 7 жыл бұрын

I had heard of this method, but I didn't know the threshold voltage indicating time to change the coolant. But this test doesn't show correct mixture of coolant and water for maximum protection in heat or cold. Another fine video!

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Usually use a 50/50 mix or 60/40 mix. If there's too much water, then the voltage reading should read high.

@Inspironator 7 жыл бұрын

I suggest that if your voltage reading is high and your coolant needs to be flushed, use a rust removing product before your final flush and refill with your coolant.

@alpergokcek6756 7 жыл бұрын

Good vid.

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Be sure to share.

@alpergokcek6756 7 жыл бұрын

No worries.

@felixcat4346 7 жыл бұрын

Very nice explaination of the role of anti-freeze in a cooling system. It's kind of ironic that most of people who live in mild climates and don't need air conditioning to be comfortable continue to just use water in the system.

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video Joseph!

@motorhead6763 7 жыл бұрын

Many large diesels have sacrificial zinc anodes built into system to combat electrolysis.Low PH level is a big problem which sets up a current attacking dissolving dissimilar metals in cooling system..especially ungrounded ( not bonded) components like the brass copper heater core in your dashboard and even fire rings on head gaskets. Years ago CAT had a bunch of truck engine main bearing failing mysteriously . It turned out all these trucks were hauling large open plastic pipe which when going down the highway air passing through pipe produced a static electrical charge which dissolved soft main bearings. Generators also have current leak through main bearings on alternator end. Another problem is erosion of water pump vanes and cylinder liners do to low cooling system pressure combined with low PH. This voltage test is commonly used and accurate indicator even by Cummins On an or CAT service tech. Just change your coolant with quality stuff every two seasons in small car motors its cheap enough. I always add small amount K and C stop leak or Barr's Aluminum or copper liquid ( not pellets or dry powder) into all older fleet trucks before any leak starts. Never have issues in years. 40 years as fleet mechanic tech. שלום

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Yes, low PH is a problem. I guess you can use PH test strips. Keep it above 7.

@bobmay9887 3 жыл бұрын

I have been shown this method except i was taught to put the negative probe in the coolant and ground the positive

@rodneyjhackenflash4865 2 жыл бұрын

That is definitely an alternative method, and just as acceptable.

@colinellicott9737 2 жыл бұрын

Watched several inconsistent videos on this now. 0.2VDC or 0.35VDC or 0.02VDC????? Where do you guys get thee numbers from and how do they correlate to pH?

@fishinginkayaks 7 ай бұрын

The numbers come from a lot of testing

@tnamen1307 5 жыл бұрын

Nice video. I put the 2 leads of multimeter into the coolant radiator and it gives 0.02 v. However, when I put one lead inside of radiator and other lead to negative of battery, it gives .20 volt. Why is this reading different???

@fishinginkayaks 7 ай бұрын

Because in the radiator your lead is closer to the metal in the radiator

@mrsemifixit 3 жыл бұрын

Others suggest doing this on a cold engine. Is there a reasonable difference in doing so when cold/hot?

@electronicsNmore 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting question. I'd need to remove some engine coolant, then test one sample hot, and another cold. I'd go with the happy medium, warm. :-)

@digitalcamaraderie5685 Жыл бұрын

2volts or 20volts? Why copper needed cover on positive? Also some people use negative cable inside in a coolant? I am confused

@entropiusvictor2739 5 жыл бұрын

You mentioned having someone keeping the RPMs around 1500-200 while running this test, but you didn't do that in the video. Is this necessary? I read a similar thing in an article, and wondering why the engine would need to be running to do the test. I'm not even sure from an electrical perspective why the coolant needs to be hot. While conductivity is affected by temperature, couldn't we just establish an acceptance range at ambient temperature?

@electronicsNmore 5 жыл бұрын

Increasing the RPM increases alternator output. :-)

@chocolate_squiggle 3 жыл бұрын

@@electronicsNmore I'm still confused about this point. We're not measuring alternator output, and since all engine parts are essentially connected to the negative post of the battery (in all modern vehicles anyway), why would a change in voltage at the positive battery post (because of RPM increasing alternator output) affect our reading which is the potential difference between the negative post and the coolant?

@BELHORIZON31 2 жыл бұрын

All car got the same voltage?

@electronicsNmore 2 жыл бұрын

The test applies for all.

@anujsharma5961 3 жыл бұрын

Can this be done without warming the engine???

@electronicsNmore 3 жыл бұрын

Warm engine coolant is suggested.

@nickayivor8432 Жыл бұрын

Questions no charts for this testing how can you supply to your customers 😒 👍 electronicsNmore From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧

@tickyul 7 жыл бұрын

Lucky me, my blown-head sucks-up the coolant......so I have to regularly add fresh coolant.

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Never have to worry about old coolant. :-)

@tickyul 7 жыл бұрын

electronicsNmore Exactly! I took the t-stat out and the car actually runs very cool and pretty good....have been driving it that way for over 4 years.

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

The only problem is, with modern vehicles the engine needs to reach a certain temp for other sensors to begin working properly. Fuel/Air ratio and emissions won't be right.

@tickyul 7 жыл бұрын

electronicsNmore Yeah, it usually gets into the lower-end of the normal-range, on the temp-gauge, within a couple of minutes of driving. Now, if I am non the freeway or driving at a speed where a lot of air is flowing into the engine-compartment or it is REALLY cold, yeah, that baby stays quite cold according to the gauge. Even when it is cold, it still runs great.....but I do get slightly worse gas-mileage.

@bobsoft 7 жыл бұрын

That is going to be expensive as far as gas usage. You are not going to reach operating temperature, then the O2 sensors will not be able to control the A/F ratio. Make sure you dont get milky oil and wipe out the bearings or hydro lock the engine and bend a rod.

@ravenrock67 7 жыл бұрын

you forgot to tell them to turn off engine BEFORE disconnecting neg on battery. I wonder how many people will smoke their Alternator and possibly the computer becouse of this?

@electronicsNmore 7 жыл бұрын

Common sense that once the engine has reached "Normal Operating Temperature" and the first test has been performed, you no longer need the engine running for the second test, so clearly the engine would be OFF when disconnecting the battery. I just added a notation in the video. :-)

@ravenrock67 7 жыл бұрын

electronicsNmore Your not dealing with common people here. This is KZfaq. I'm just saying....

@elvismanrocks 5 жыл бұрын

The car was never on to start with and you are doing a test to the radiator fluid witch you don't need to have your engine on at all so you got a point there but because the engine was never on your comment is not valid. Hahaha

@sinegra30 3 жыл бұрын

Not correct

@electronicsNmore 3 жыл бұрын

Whatever you say.

@nickv4073 5 жыл бұрын

Its so much easier to just change the coolant every 4-5 years. No test necessary.

@electronicsNmore 5 жыл бұрын

You missed the point! LOL If you just bought a used vehicle and know nothing about the maintenance that was done, then you can use this info to let you know the condition of the coolant. Why replace good clean coolant?

@nickv4073 5 жыл бұрын

If I bought a used car I wouldn't trust the maintanance records anyway and I would change ALL fluids. $20 for coolant good for 4-5 years is no big expense.

@chocolate_squiggle 5 жыл бұрын

Nick V You really miss the whole point of these sorts of helpful youtube videos don't you. You obviously have the knowledge, tools and skills to change your coolant the same day you buy a second hand car no problem. No doubt you change the brake fluid, flush the transmission, rip out half the engine, re-grease things and replace bearings all over the vehicle while you're at it. Only then would you be satisfied. The rest of us are still in the process of learning proper maintenance and these sorts of videos help contribute to building up an overall understanding of how various systems are interacting with each other. It must feel great to be so superior to everyone else.

@TheOzthewiz 5 жыл бұрын

@Nick V So doing this SIMPLE test is harder than changing coolant? Dude, that must be some good s**t you're smoking!

@nadeem5476 Жыл бұрын

idiotic when you are measuring from coolant reservoir because there is no metal link to take negative charge there. grow up. it's OK when you are testing from radiator.

@electronicsNmore Жыл бұрын

Hey Dunce. The current flows through the liquid, you don't need the metal reservoir. Think twice before posting stupid comments. Polite comments get polite replies.

@nadeem5476 Жыл бұрын

@@electronicsNmore flow where ????????? and from plastic? :) IDIOT LOL F.O