Coolant PH #s

[robroy55]

I got some ph test strips and tested the new coolant in my system and it reads 7.8. Is this ok? If not, how do I Increase the ph in my system. I used a 50/50 mix for the new coolant.
Thanks for all your help,
Rob Roy

[97TaurusGuy]

7.8 sounds good.

[Huney1]

Go to a place that maintains swimming pools and ask for a teaspoon of Ph UP and they also have Ph Down. Doesn't take much so use a pinch at the time very sparingly. Our pool is 32K gals and I add Ph Up a cup at the time.

[shorod]

Hmm, I'm not sure that I'd be adding a pH increaser intended for chlorinated/brominated pools to the cooling system. Not sure what the results would be, but it may not dilute correctly, may react with the ethylene glycol, who knows what.

Looks like you do want to make the pH more basic, somewhere between 9.5 and 10.0 (http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips10.htm) or 8.5-11 (http://www.archeroil.com/news/Gusher_july05.pdf) depending on which source you deem more credible. I don't remember the range being as high as 2.5, so I'm more inclined to think 8.5-10.

You may be able to find the pH conditioner from the larger parts houses that serve the professional market. I remember having three different types of conditioner, one for domestics, one for european cars, and one for asian cars. This was around 15 years ago though, maybe the increaser is universal and clear now.

-Rod

[robroy55]

Originally Posted by shorod

Hmm, I'm not sure that I'd be adding a pH increaser intended for chlorinated/brominated pools to the cooling system. Not sure what the results would be, but it may not dilute correctly, may react with the ethylene glycol, who knows what.

Looks like you do want to make the pH more basic, somewhere between 9.5 and 10.0 (http://www.eutechinst.com/techtips/tech-tips10.htm) or 8.5-11 (http://www.archeroil.com/news/Gusher_july05.pdf) depending on which source you deem more credible. I don't remember the range being as high as 2.5, so I'm more inclined to think 8.5-10.

You may be able to find the pH conditioner from the larger parts houses that serve the professional market. I remember having three different types of conditioner, one for domestics, one for european cars, and one for asian cars. This was around 15 years ago though, maybe the increaser is universal and clear now.

-Rod

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Thanks Guys for all the info but I don't think I will put ph-up for a pool in my coolant. Just doesn't sound good to me.
I was just wondering, since I used a 50/50 mix as the new coolant, if I used a turkey paster and sucked out all the 50/50 in the cars plastic container and replaced with *FULL* strength coolant, would that process start to raise the ph in the system? I would just keep checking it after each dose.
Thanks Folks for all your suggestions!!
Rob Roy

[Huney1]

The chemical for PH up in pools is sodium carbonate which is soda ash.
To reduce PH we use sodium bisulfite. I stuck a test strip in my reservoir and got 6.8 PH, 180 Alkalinity, 100 Hardness.

Don't exceed a 50/50 mix of water and anti freeze because if you have say 60% anti-freeze it actually freezes quicker than 50/50 mix. I think you lose some of the other good cooling properties to. One forum I read a guy used pure anti freeze and his engine ran hot. Do what Rod said and check with your local parts house or Ford dealer and find out what PH up they use.
Have a nice week end.

Hmmm . . . I need to get mine up to around 9.5 so what additive do I use for that? I'll use some of the pool stuff and if I get a lot of coolant leaks I'll let you know. <Just kidding>