Can you use a coolant tester to check freeze point of washer fluid?

[atikovi]

Or is the chemistry too different between them?

 

[Kira]

I think alcohol used in washer fluids and glycol compounds in coolants differ too much.

GENERAL CAVEAT: Beware of dilute washer fluids. Some only protect to +20â„. You want to see a -20â„ on the label.

 

[Astro14]

No.

They work via specific gravity and glycol and methanol have very different specific gravities.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted by Astro14
No.

They work via specific gravity and glycol and methanol have very different specific gravities.

There are specialty hydrometers for windshield washer fluid, this is one:

https://www.toolsource.com/glass-an...washer-methanol-hydrometer-p-106292.html

You can also use a refractometer:

https://www.acustrip.com/cgi-bin/proddesc.cgi?s=875700

 

[doitmyself]

I just tried some of the blue -20F type stuff in my refractometer and it did NOT work. Water is used to check refractometer calibration (32F). The blue stuff registered +25F. I have no idea about the other types of testers.

 

[Kestas]

I put a small sample of the unknown fluid in the freezer and check the next day to see if it's frozen. I try to keep the freezer near 0°F.

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted by doitmyself
I just tried some of the blue -20F type stuff in my refractometer and it did NOT work. Water is used to check refractometer calibration (32F). The blue stuff registered +25F. I have no idea about the other types of testers.

Did it have a scale for methanol based washer fluid on the reticle?

https://www.refractometer.eu/faq-windscreen-washer-fluids

 

[kschachn]

Without a proper scale neither a hydrometer nor a refractometer will give the correct reading.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted by kschachn
Originally Posted by Astro14
No.

They work via specific gravity and glycol and methanol have very different specific gravities.

There are specialty hydrometers for windshield washer fluid, this is one:

https://www.toolsource.com/glass-an...washer-methanol-hydrometer-p-106292.html

You can also use a refractometer:

https://www.acustrip.com/cgi-bin/proddesc.cgi?s=875700


I use a refractometer that has multiple scales, it does windshield washer fluid as well as engine coolant with no problem

 

[atikovi]

If price was no object and my current refrac dies I'd get this,

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

NO

 

[A_User55555]

Might be cheaper if you find a way to pump out the old fluid and replace it with the freeze proof one.

 

[FCD]

No, it won't work as they are deigned to measure the freeze point of glycols.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted by atikovi
If price was no object and my current refrac dies I'd get this,

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61%2Bn3KwEwlL._SL1132_.jpg

I've been lusting for something like that for but for homebrewing. Still $$$ though.