Operation; Diagnosis And Testing; Coolant Concentration - Chrysler 2005 Crossfire SRT6 Service Manual

ENGINE 7 - 21
ZH
COOLANT SELECTION AND ADDITIVES
CAUTION: Do not use coolant additives that are claimed to improve engine cooling.

OPERATION

Coolant flows through the engine block absorbing the heat from the engine, then flows to the radiator where the
cooling fins in the radiator transfers the heat from the coolant to the atmosphere. During cold weather the antifreeze/
coolant prevents water present in the cooling system from freezing within temperatures indicated by mixture ratio of
coolant to water.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

COOLANT CONCENTRATION

Coolant concentration should be checked when any additional coolant is added to the cooling system, or after a
coolant drain, flush and refill. The coolant mixture offers optimum engine cooling and protection against corrosion
when mixed to a freeze point of -37°C (-34°F) to -46°C (-50°F). The use of a hydrometer or a refractometer can be
used to test coolant concentration.
A hydrometer will test the amount of glycol in a mixture by measuring the specific gravity of the mixture. The higher
the concentration of antifreeze/coolant, the larger the number of balls that will float, and higher the freeze protection.
A Refractometer, Special Tool 8286, will test the amount of antifreeze/coolant in a coolant mixture by measuring the
amount a beam of light bends as it passes through the fluid.