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Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator


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Jodiejones92
New User

Jul 29, 2020, 7:44 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1255 views)
Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

I agreed to replace the radiator on my 2006 elantra after bringing it to a midas due to overheating. 2 weeks later I bring the car to a different midas location for an oil change.

After the oil change is complete the mechanic recommends a coolant flush. When I explained to him it was a "brand new radiator" he asked if they put the same coolant in it" then I continued to tell him I won't be able to do anything untill next payday we politely went our ways.

So, clearly i don't know much at all about cars but my questions is...
Was this just an upsell gone wrong on his part, if not, what could possibly cause the coolant to be dirty so fast? I feel like I am being terribly screwed over but on the other hand have absolutly no idea. I'm a single mom and depend on my car for income and I am panicked.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 29, 2020, 8:33 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1243 views)
Re: Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

? Did changing the radiator for new solve the overheating? Seems that using 2 different chain store places didn't catch that not surprised.
I can't speak for what the first one did but you should have documents on that repair just what was done and bring up the second with the first let them figure it out.
I personally wouldn't re-use coolant for a new radiator and that's the time to flush it out some dirty looking stays can make it all look lousy again.


Bring it up with first place and let them re-flush it if really in need it wasn't done well enough then IMO, no charge to you again either so make that clear,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 30, 2020, 4:34 AM

Post #3 of 8 (1231 views)
Re: Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

This could have been just an up-sell which Midas is notorious for but it also could have been a very contaminated system all along. If the system was run with water instead of coolant for any length of time it will build up a "rust sludge" and all the flushing in the world isn't going to remove it all. It will continue to turn dirty again after attempting to flush it. That's just what happens when the system gets that bad.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 30, 2020, 6:34 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1224 views)
Re: Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

If this is real and like Hammer just said there's only one way to make coolant appear cleaner for longer now.
MOST liquid cooled engines have plugs some way to drain "water jackets" up to removing "freeze plugs" put there when engine is made to blow out junk then plugged off never to be used again.


That's so involved nobody is going to do that the sediment low in those jackets just isn't all going to flush out with engine installed very well.
IF they'll do it again it may help buy time but suspect new radiator will act as a filter in a way catch more if this car lasts long enough need yet another.


All anyone is doing with vehicles is extending time for inevitable decline of the things as machines or everything would last forever.


I should learn that as I keep stuff for generations on end most doing well but a wild exception! :-) Tom


Jodiejones92
New User

Jul 30, 2020, 11:01 AM

Post #5 of 8 (1212 views)
Re: Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

Thank you for the reply. Whatever they did they first time did indeed fix the overheating that's why I was so confused.


Jodiejones92
New User

Jul 30, 2020, 11:08 AM

Post #6 of 8 (1210 views)
Re: Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

It is more than ever obvious that I need a new car, but it was financially just not an option right now. Thank you for these replies they helped me understand so much more about the possibilities and that's simply all I wanted to know this morning when I called the shop I was actually laughed at for all my stupid questions. Im thankful i was able to get a little more transparency and understanding on the situation on here at least.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 30, 2020, 11:15 AM

Post #7 of 8 (1202 views)
Re: Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

OMG! They actually laughed at you? THAT'S UNCALLED FOR! You had a legit question they should have taken a look at what THEY did that you noticed no matter what IMO.
Right now if it solved the overheating that's good news improper treatment for a question of a shop is NOT.


Good luck it's probably fine to forget it for a while but anything just watch for care things along the way ask if need be what can wait and what is really making something a lot worse later,


Tom


Jodiejones92
New User

Jul 30, 2020, 4:20 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1186 views)
Re: Oil change man recommends coolant flush on New radiator Sign In

The laughing was uncalled for. Thank you seriously for your time 🙏






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