Hey, y'all,

I recently had my cooling system replaced--new thermostat, radiator and coolant reservoir. Today I was getting an oil change (about 6 weeks after the coolant change out) and the service tech (not at the dealer that did the cooling system work) told me that my coolant was bad and needed to be changed out. Now it looks like the right greenish color to me -- I didn't smell any rust smell or anything, and then he showed me some "test strip" thing I have never seen before in all my years of dealing with car stuff. He said that they dip it in the coolant and it tells them about the quality of the chemicals or some suchness and that mine is "failing" and so I needed yet another coolant switch.

I didn't do it because a) I've never heard of this before and b) the coolant seems just fine to me and I've not had any problems... but I'm just curious, am I the only person who has never seen or heard of this "test strip" before? I thought coolant was either fine or old and dirty and those were pretty much the standards.

The "weird smell" was just the BS he was talking. He's a thug. Pimp slap him and report him to your consumer affairs, BBB, and Attorney General...

Prestone makes some of those coolant test strips.

As for what he said, if you had it serviced already then I would not worry about it. Like what evil said.......biaaaaaaatch slap that guy when you get the chance. :Beer

yeah i also agree with evil, and ray. all those people want is your money! if you are not overheating, and the car is running fine, fahgetaboutit!!!

The test strips are a simple field test to approximately measure the concentration of corrosion inhibitors which tend to dissipate with time. This loss of corrosion protection is one of the biggest reasons the coolant change interval is suggested every two years.

Just get your hands on a test strip and do it yourself!

well, I drove the mark from LA to vegas and back with nary a bit of movement on the temp guage, so I think we can safely assume all is well. Thanks for the help.

Like was said before........Pimp slap, and report him.


Mike

The only real test for coolant is a coolant hydrometer, not some BS strips. Buy a coolant hydrometer for 5$ and prove him wrong, your coolant should be pristine.

The only real test for coolant is a coolant hydrometer, not some BS strips. Buy a coolant hydrometer for 5$ and prove him wrong, your coolant should be pristine.

I just might do that! Thanks for the tip.

That a bunch of BS first get your baby powder out and sprinkle a little on you hand and walk up to that fool tell him hes stupid and you should know the rest with the baby powder and hand :slam .