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Home > Testing > Coolant Analysis

Coolant Analysis

How Coolant Analysis Works and What it Tells You

Over 50% of engine failure is due to a problem in the cooling system. This vital system is typically the most neglected, least understood component of the modern engine. Regular coolant testing and routine maintenance can achieve maximum system efficiency and identify potential problems before they become catastrophic failures.

  • Extend coolant drain intervals
  • Extend equipment life
  • Identify minor problems before they become major failures
  • Maximize asset reliability

Test List with Explanations

The Benefits of Coolant Analysis

There's more to coolant analysis than testing coolant formulations — it's about identifying problems within the cooling system that can be detrimental to engine performance or lead to premature engine failure. Coolant analysis can detect:

  • Metal corrosion
  • Combustion gas leaks
  • Contamination
  • Electrical ground problems
  • Localized overheating
  • Chemical breakdown

Sign up for POLARIS Laboratories' public Cooling System Maintenance Training

Sign up for POLARIS Laboratories' Coolant Analysis Webinar Series

Additional Resources


Coolant Test Packages

Coolant Analysis takes the guess work out of properly maintaining a cooling system and can identify maintenance problems before catastrophic engine failure occurs. Regular coolant testing and routine maintenance can help you achieve maximum system efficiency and save you time and money in less downtime, fewer repairs and determining proper drain intervals.

A cooling system is subject to pitting, corrosion, cavitation, erosion and electrolysis. Although coolants are formulated to help prevent these problems from occurring, coolant analysis will identify them if present and determine if the coolant you're using is providing adequate protection. It will also identify:

  • Rust, which can accelerate wear, reduce heat transfer efficiency and eventually clog the system
  • Scale and deposit formations that can act as insulators, which form barriers for proper heat transfer
  • Oxidation which can lead to rust

Organic acid coolant testing also monitors carboxylic acid to determine if enough is present for the proper chemical reactions to occur. If a carboxylic acid test fails, non-compatible coolant or fluid could be present.

Level I

The following tests monitor coolant maintenance levels to ensure proper engine metal protection, glycol levels for freeze and boil point control, nitrite for prime metal pitting protection and acidity for adequate corrosion protection.

Tests include:

Level II

Level II testing monitors the corrosive attributes of the coolant itself - acidic or alkaline - in addition to metal movement - the corrosiveness of each metal affected. This level includes all Level I tests plus:

Tests include:

Level IV

Level IV testing identifies possible sources of problems detected in testing levels I and II, such as combustion gas leaks, air contamination, electrical ground problems, localized over-heating, chemical breakdown or other contamination sources inside or outside the system. Level IV testing also identifies the type and degree of degradation acid formation resulting from any cooling system problems. It includes all tests in Levels I and II plus:

Tests include:

  • Inhibitor, Contaminants and Degradation Acids by IC - (Nitrites, Nitrates, Chlorides & Sulfates, Glycolate, Formate, Acetate, Oxalate)

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News

POLARIS Laboratories™ to provide fluid analysis for AES Defence Early Failure Detection Centre

POLARIS Laboratories™, an innovative leader in fluid analysis services in North America, announced today their partnership with UK-based AES Defence who provides oil analysis services for more than 1,500 British military vehicles.

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POLARIS' Environmental Responsibility

Protecting the environment is of fundamental importance to POLARIS Laboratories™ as it is to their employees and customers. POLARIS announces their goals, commitments and accomplishments with their new recycling and energy-saving techniques.

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Training

  • Salt Lake City
    Practicing Oil Analysis
    March 30-31, 2010

  • Houston
    Practicing Oil Analysis
    June 22-23, 2010

  • Indianapolis
    Cooling Systems Maintenance
    July 20, 2010

View complete schedule and registration information


Tradeshows & Conferences

  • Truck World
    Toronto, ON
    April 15-17, 2010

  • CIM
    Vancouver, Canada
    May 9-12, 2010

View all tradeshows