Cleaning Anti-freeze

super99 · Apr 29, 2009

Whenever I have to drain the anti-freeze out of a tractor to work on it and go to put it back in, there is a dirty brown mixture at the bottom of the bucket. I usually pour off the good anti-freeze and stop when the brown junk is starting to pour out. Is there any way to strain this and get the dirty gunk out so you can use all the anti-freeze over? Or do you just have to pitch it? Chris

CWL · Apr 29, 2009

I've used the paper funnels with mesh in the bottom made for filtering paint. The antifreeze runs right through and any chunks get filtered out.

IaGary · Apr 29, 2009

It's a good time to flush the system and put in new.

You don't put the old oil back in do you?

Gary

Randyscottsboro · Apr 29, 2009

I have learned the hard way that antifreeze wears out, or it seperates into different chemical compounds. A $13K overhaul on a 3406 Cat later, due to pitted liners, I will be changing it after about 3-5 years of use. Also you need to check the additive level yearly.

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 29, 2009

That's what I do, pour the clean off the top and throw the rest out. That's the way we did with milk too. dad always took the skim back to the barn for the cats. But the antirust properties wear out of antifreeze so you might want to add a can of treatment. If you have tractors with wet sleeves it's a good idea to add treatment every year anyway.

Ron in NS · Apr 29, 2009

Modern radiator shops now have machines that recondition the old antifreeze, and thereby eliminate the need for costly disposal and potential harm to the environment. I'd check around and see if they will either recondition it, or if you want to just get rid of it, take the old stuff off your hands for free. Who knows, maybe someone who is less better off financially could use some cheap reconditioned stuff from the rad shop, and you could buy the new.

TomTex · Apr 29, 2009

For goodness sakes. I am with IAGary on this one. Put in new antifreeze. I always use new antifreeze, with 50/50 distilled water, and anti-cavitation additive. Some people pinch a penny and swallow a huge repair bill down the road. Tom

Anonymous-0 · Apr 29, 2009

The corrosion inhibitors degrade over time, so that's what you are gaining with new anti-freeze.

Dick L · Apr 29, 2009

New oil is not all new. The Federal Government requires a percentage of reprocessed used oil to be added to all motor oil.

Mike M · Apr 29, 2009

I usually strain through a strainer lined with cheese cloth or an old tee shirt. Then stop when I get the the really nasty stuff at the bottom and throw it out. Mix some new additives in too.
I picked up some good old metal mesh strainers at Goodwill and garage sales just for the shop.

garytomaszewski · Apr 29, 2009

Guess you never changed the filter or added the treatment either. Over the road trucks rarely change antifreeze but filters AND conditioner are part of regular maintainence.

Chris in SK · Apr 29, 2009

I mostly filter and re use. From what I gather, anti freeze doesn’t loose its freeze protection, but it does loose its corrosion protection. I’ve filtered with paper filters, dust masks, even cotton rag in a funnel….anything that will filter out the junk. I strength test it and add new anti freeze to bring it to the correct level for the cold temperature protection I need. If I need to add water I only use distilled. I buy the anti corrosion / cavitation additive from New Holland or Case and add it to most of my stuff every year. You can also get the test strips to check it.
Chris

bill mart · Apr 29, 2009

"New oil is not all new. The Federal Government requires a percentage of reprocessed used oil to be added to all motor oil."

couldnt find any proof of that statement on the net but I did find this

Many motorists believe that Used Motor Oil gets recycled into "fresh" Motor Oil.

Government agencies promote Used Oil collection

Laws in many States limit or prohibit Used Oil disposal

Yet Lube Oil producers do NOT want "recycled" Basestock, because customers are unwilling to pay a premium price for Motor Oil made from "Used Oil".

Majority of collected Used Oil gets burned or disposed of "legally".

Most "do-it-yourself" oil changers dispose of oil improperly or illegally

CCer · Apr 29, 2009

I regularly use milk filters, the disc type to clean up fluids. I recently found that coffee filters work better. I use them 2 at a time. I had some antifreeze that had an oily scum on it, the coffee filters separated it very well.

Cleaning Anti-freeze

super99

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CWL

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IaGary

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Randyscottsboro

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Nebraska Cowman

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Ron in NS

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TomTex

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Anonymous-0

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Dick L

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Mike M

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garytomaszewski

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Chris in SK

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bill mart

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CCer

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