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mixing windshield washer with antifreeze


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kaddyguy
New User

Mar 28, 2014, 6:58 PM

Post #1 of 9 (3475 views)
mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

I mistakenly added about one half a quart of windshield washer antifreeze into the radiator reservoir instead of the windshield washer tank. The car is a 2007 Chev Impala with a 3.8 Litre V6 engine. Will this be a problem?


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 28, 2014, 7:03 PM

Post #2 of 9 (3469 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

You need to drain the washer tank. Engine coolant doesn't go well with paint.





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GC
User
GC profile image

Mar 28, 2014, 7:27 PM

Post #3 of 9 (3457 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

I think its the other way around DS.

Coolant and cooling systems arent very tolerant of foreign substances. To be 100% safe, I'd get it out of there (drain and flush). It might be just fine, but it might just damage some very important and expensive to fix parts. I wouldnt want to take the chance. If a coolant flush hasnt been done on this vehicle, its due for one anyway, so not really a waste of money. JMHO


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kaddyguy
New User

Mar 28, 2014, 8:57 PM

Post #4 of 9 (3446 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

Thank you, guys for your help. Just after I posted my question to you, I thought of the solution! I did not run the engine after I put the wrong antifreeze into the reservoir as I realized what a stupid mistake I had made. Therefore, it had no chance to get drawn into the radiator as the motor cooled. So my solution was to detach the reservoir from the fender and detach the connecting hose to the radiator. I then emptied the bad stuff from the reservoir, rinsed it out several times with water, and re-attached everything. The reservoir is now empty and the rad is full, so I will drive it a short distance to buy a quart of (radiator) antifreeze. I will fill to the proper level in the reservoir with a combination of 50-50 water and antifreeze. Does that sound about right to you? THANKS AGAIN!!
Kaddyguy


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 28, 2014, 9:45 PM

Post #5 of 9 (3439 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

Quote from top post">>I mistakenly added about one half a quart of windshield washer antifreeze into the radiator reservoir instead of the windshield washer tank. The car is a 2007 Chev Impala with a 3.8 Litre V6 engine. Will this be a problem?<<"


The typical 'blue' windshield washer fluid is just a cheap alcohol that would evaporate out and be mostly like plain water but get it out anyway. The car should be checked out if it needed engine antifreeze topped off then you want to know why as it shouldn't be consuming it,


T



kaddyguy
New User

Mar 29, 2014, 5:05 AM

Post #6 of 9 (3423 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

The cooling system was not leaking. I was just trying to top up the windshield washer fluid and put it into the wrong reservoir. Thanks for your time, everyone!
Kaddyguy

In Reply To


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 29, 2014, 5:05 AM

Post #7 of 9 (3423 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

Wow I totally misread that. Frown See what happens when you don't get any sleep.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Mar 29, 2014, 7:12 PM

Post #8 of 9 (3407 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

Yes it will. you need to get a fully cooling system flush right away.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 29, 2014, 7:55 PM

Post #9 of 9 (3398 views)
Re: mixing windshield washer with antifreeze Sign In

 

Don't worry about it. It's a little alcohol and a little soap. It's not going to hurt anything.

I think he already emptied the reservoir anyway.



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