Accidentally put Windshield wiper fluid in Coolant system?
(2012-01-17 15:20:08) 1. Says: My husband accidentally put 3 liters of windshield wiper fluid into the coolant tank (apparently the cooant was low lol oops)! It was at night and he could barely make out the symbols and they are right next to eachother. It's a new car for us so he didn't know exactly which one was which since we haven't put any coolant or windshield wiper fluid in the car before. So, what is gunna happen to the car?? Should we flush the system or will it be ok? We have rams and new coolant ready to go just in case we have to. Just wanted to ask first because if the car will be fine then obviously we won't worry about flushing teh system.2. Says: Yes flush the cooling system and replace with new coolant.windshield wiper fluid and coolant both have additives in them that should not be mixed.In fact manufacturers use so many different kinds of coolants now that you are never suppose to mix one kind of coolant with another because of the different additives.some coolant when mixed with others can actually form sludge and plug the system up.I am not sure exactly how the wiper fluid will affect your coolant,but I would flush it just to be sure.Better safe than sorry.3. Says: Draining it and flushing with purified water (no tap water in cooling systems, ever) should do it. Don't put it off - winter windshield washer fluid contains a lot of methanol, which corrodes aluminum (see the first source). A small amount wouldn't be a big concern but 3L is a lot. I presume you had room for that much fluid because the Impala uses a surge tank, which should never be full to the top, just to the full line.4. Says: not a big problem, unless it's very cold where you are. Coolant has some other characteristics, but short term, plain water will not damage the engine; it just doesn't cool as well as coolant.Just change it soon and refill with the ''good stuff'', meantime, don't sweat it.
The fact that you were down 3 liter says you have a leak and need that fixed pronto. A 2003 car is not new, and likely has some old hoses (leaks) or worse, a cylinder head-gasket needs replacing.
check this out for more info:
http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/coolant_&_radiator_service.htm5. Says: If you havnt started your car, dont. Have it towed to your mechanic and have the Coolant totally flushed out and make sure they run water through it. Then just have it serviced normally after that.6. Says: Haha my dad did this
We just had the fluid going on for about 20 mins straight
and it was all good:)
so just flush out the system7. Says: That is very bad for your engine. You should definitely drain the engine and put coolant in.8. Says: I doubt it's damaged anything. Just flush it.9. Says: windshield wiper fluid is mainly WATER and cleaner, its not going to hurt the coolant as a general rule,since your radiator fluid is mainly water and ethylene glycol, which is in some windshield washers as an anti icing agent, there are cleaner agents added to diesels to stop a thing called cavitaion, so i would look in there after it cools down to see if its coagulating other wise i wouldnt worry about it, read the contents and see what else is in there there is probably some alchohol that will evap out , the detergent wont hurt the system and neither will the water, Tag: Accidentally put Windshield wiper fluid in Coolant system?