How to tell if coolant has been mixed?

[Alan_525i]

I have a half filled bottle of BMW coolant that I don't know if it has been mixed or not. I am wondering if it is half filled because I (a) poured half inot another container and mixed it but not this part or (b) this was mixed and I already used half of it.

Anyway to easily tell whether it is mixed? Or should I just toss it and buy some more?

[632 Regal]

toss and get new, never know whats in old crap. I once went racing with my old new trans and it ran 4 rounds till the final and after i fried the trans I got home to realized I dumped 2 qts or gear oil into it.


Id pitch instead of wonderin.

[Paul in NZ]

do you mean mixed with other coolant or mixed with water???If it has been mixed with water no problem or if its not mixed its no problem.....the ammount you put in say to top up the coolant wont make much difference to the ratio in the system

[Alan_525i]

I mean mixed with water. I'll probably use it this time, then dump it and get some more.

[ryan roopnarine]

go to the auto parts store and pick up a 99 cent coolant gravity meter. put it in, measure, and compare to any other brand of uncut antifreeze (if its convenient and free), and you should be able to tell if you put water in it.

ps
walmart or any other monster mart should have one for around $1. it might not be worth it if the device costs more at an autoparts store, ie $3 tool to save $7 (1/2 gal) of antifreeze.

[niall]

u could taste it,
if it tastes bad then its been mixed
if it tastes really really bad then it hasnt..........................lol

[grave77]

My opinion that the conditions matter. if it's for freezing conditions then making sure it's the right concentration is better. but if it's for cooling it then it's not a problem water would do since most of the engine is Aluminume.

[Tiger]

I thought it taste the same... I'm blind!!!! Augh!!!

[wengenstein]

"uncut" coolant is more viscous (at least the BMW stuff is) than a 50/50 mix. It looks different when you shake it up too..

But I like the taste test myself :D

Dennis