How long can Antifreeze last?

[cudaken]

It has finally gotten cold here and the 68 Road Runner is still sitting outside. When I parked her 8 years ago that, summer I had installed a new radiator and new antifreeze. Then she was pretty much forgotten about. 

Today it hit 16 degrees and started to worry some. I braved the cold and checked the antifreeze and all 5 balls still float? That should mean it is still good to -40 degrees. 

I did test it while cold, I don't think that makes a differences, does it.

I do know the other reason it should be changed and I will. All ready have the antifreeze for it. For now, I just want to make sure I don't crack the block.

Cuda Ken

[cdr]

if it tested good then its good 

[Pete in NH]

As far as I know antifreeze doesn't wear out as far as freezing up unless it somehow gets diluted. It's the rust inhibitors that get neutralized over time. You should be okay on freezing up until you can change it. Right now its' 15 degrees here in NH and the wind is blowing at a pretty steady 20 MPH.

[cdr]

its 44 deg here in TEXAS      cold to me!!!

[tan top]

if it tested good then its good 

    that is true , strong taste its all good

can you remember what ratio the antifreeze  was to water  ?  
some  manufactures say  change every 3   or 5  or 10 years  ,  looses its strength over time  ,
   also they say you should not mix brands of antifreeze  , not all are compatible apparently 

[Tilar]

It's not the brands that are incompatible as much as the type of antifreeze. I've had drivers add green antifreeze to a school bus that has extended life antifreeze only to have it turn into something that looks like mud and plug up the radiator. 

[tan top]

It's not the brands that are incompatible as much as the type of antifreeze. I've had drivers add green antifreeze to a school bus that has extended life antifreeze only to have it turn into something that looks like mud and plug up the radiator.  

 yeah ,  thanks for the correction  
that's what I ment  the types of antifreeze  , sorry for the confusion  did not explain correctaly   ,   one type  is  , ethylene glycol , been around for ever ,  I forget what the other  stuff  is called ,  
  just stick with glycol 

[cudaken]

 Well, if it is not broke I am not fixing it with it being this cold. Guess it will wait till it is summer at this point.

        Ken

[A383Wing]

 yeah ,  thanks for the correction  
that's what I ment  the types of antifreeze  , sorry for the confusion  did not explain correctaly   ,   one type  is  , ethylene glycol , been around for ever ,  I forget what the other  stuff  is called ,  
  just stick with glycol 

the other stuff is called crap....I would stay away from anything except the green stuff. If you mix the green with the Dexcool or anything else that is kinda red or orange color, you will get mud in yer system. They say to change coolant every 2 years....well, that's what they say, not that I listen to them

[Tilar]

the other stuff is called crap....I would stay away from anything except the green stuff. If you mix the green with the Dexcool or anything else that is kinda red or orange color, you will get mud in yer system. They say to change coolant every 2 years....well, that's what they say, not that I listen to them

Crap is right. I changed all my personal vehicles to the green and as these buses get out of warranty and something happens that I have to drain the cooling system, they get changed out to green.