Post coolant flush question

[myk]

Alright, well 2 weeks or so after coolant flushes, starting with the Charger, the cars seem to be running in the proper temperature zones. I couldn't help but notice the antifreeze testers at the parts store, so I picked one up. Now in case anyone doesn't know, some of these testers, like the one I bought, supposedly indicate the strength (?) of the coolant based on how many little balls end up floating in a sample of coolant. I tested the cars and the results weren't pretty: I averaged one floating ball which, according to the user chart, says I'm only protected from +20 to 215 degrees.

What exactly is this thing saying-that there isn't enough coolant in the mix? Not enough water? Dirty coolant mix? I don't get it, so any input is appreciated-thanks in advance!

[Back N Black]

What was your % of the mix? 50/50, 60/40? The reading indicates not enough anti freeze in the mixture. I always pre-mix and test before i put it in the rad. Its kinda hard to get the correct mixture after it in the engine.

[myk]

I thought I'd be clever and use the 50/50 pre-mix stuff.  It didn't occur to me that I MIGHT not be able to get all of the flushwater out of the blocks-that's probably what happened.  I see now that what I should've done was fill 50% of the cooling capacity of each car with pure coolant, and then just fill the rest with water.  Oh well, if all I have to do is increase the mix I'm fine with that...

[maxwellwedge]

I find that 2 full jugs of the pure stuff before topping it up with water gets me in a good range.

[Charger-Bodie]

I find that 2 full jugs of the pure stuff before topping it up with water gets me in a good range.

Yep,Me too. I use the distilled water just to be safe against contaminates.

[NMike]

if you didn't get the coolant out of the block, it sounds right.

there are drain plugs on the side of the block by the engine mounts. drain and refill the system again. not that expensive anyways.

[myk]

Thanks guys.  For a minute there I thought the world was going to explode, lol...