Windshield washer fluid added to coolant

[Strings]

With good intentions, our son-in-law accidently added about a third of a container of old windshield washer liquid to the coolant reservoir. We believe he syphoned the volume equivalent out of the overflow tank, but not sure he got it all.

The washer fluid container ingredients listed Methanol.

I'm trying to reassure him that it should be okay. Am I correct?

 

[boandlkramer]

When I was a wet behind the ears private, I put motor oil in the coolant reservoir of a HMMWV... never ran the same again, it did run, just a little hot.

I hope you have better luck OP


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[Anchorman]

I’d be concerned about it foaming inside the engine and causing an airlock. It bee inclined to get it flushed. Only use Mazda FL22.

 

[Unobtanium]

Time for a coolant system flush. I doubt any real harm is done, but I am very picky. Distilled water and approved coolant ONLY.

I grew up in a household where "good enough was good enough", and "This is $0.50 cheaper, so we do that instead, because I think it will work the same."

Over the years, I have seen that get me and others burned more often than not.

I use recommended adhesives, torque specs, fluids, and so forth. Even if it costs more, it seems to be the way to go. It was spec'ed FOR A REASON.

 

[yrwei52]

With good intentions, our son-in-law accidently added about a third of a container of old windshield washer liquid to the coolant reservoir. We believe he syphoned the volume equivalent out of the overflow tank, but not sure he got it all.

The washer fluid container ingredients listed Methanol.

I'm trying to reassure him that it should be okay. Am I correct?

What year and how many miles on the CX-5? I would try not to start the engine、drain the the coolant as much as possible、flush the system、and refill with fresh Mazda FL-22 coolant, unless you plan to get rid of the CX-5 pretty soon.

 

[Strings]

Appreciate the input. As near as we can tell, he added enough washer liquid to 'fill' the reservoir from the cold line to full. Maybe a half gallon? Realizing that, he syphoned off the same amount of material from the reservoir - the engine was not started.

The car is new and we're leaving tomorrow on a 3000 mile road trip.

PITA.

 

[yrwei52]

When I was a wet behind the ears private, I put motor oil in the coolant reservoir of a HMMWV... never ran the same again, it did run, just a little hot.

I hope you have better luck OP

it's funny I had the same thing happened to my 2000 BMW 528i. When the vehicle was new having factory included free oil change in warranty period, I went to my BMW dealer for the first one at 5,000 miles after a year of the purchase. When I picked up the car, somehow I noticed there're some evidence of oil in the black plastic coolant reservoir. Of course the Service Advisor was trying to persuade me that's normal but I didn't buy it. I was worried that there might be head gasket problem causing the oil getting into the coolant system. After I discussed with Service Manager he admitted the Tech "accidentally" poured some oil into the coolant reservoir and agreed to flush the system and refill with BMW genuine coolant and distilled water.

At 28K miles I had failed waterpump with disintegrate bearing.

To this date it's still a mystery to me how did the Tech would pour engine oil into the plastic coolant reservoir. (uhm)

 

[Conrad 16.5]

With good intentions, our son-in-law accidently added about a third of a container of old windshield washer liquid to the coolant reservoir. We believe he syphoned the volume equivalent out of the overflow tank, but not sure he got it all.

The washer fluid container ingredients listed Methanol.

I'm trying to reassure him that it should be okay. Am I correct?

How long have they been married? Is it too late for an annulment? Kidding, of course.

If he added the washer fluid and the car wasn't started, and then the reservoir was drained and flushed out, no harm and no worries.

 

[DrElectron]

How long have they been married? Is it too late for an annulment? Kidding, of course.

If he added the washer fluid and the car wasn't started, and then the reservoir was drained and flushed out, no harm and no worries.

Key here is that car not started and ALL of the fluid in the overflow tank was removed. Then add correct 50-50 coolant mix to the correct level and you can start the car.

 

[Nelson de Leon]

How long have they been married? Is it too late for an annulment? Kidding, of course.

I couldn't agree more.






[emoji1]


He doesn't deserve to be my son-in-law for doing that. [emoji1]


Kidding also of course!!!


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[madar]

I'd probably just drain the radiator. What's windshield washer fluid consist of? Water and a slight amount of methanol? In reality, if the car wasn't started and is cold, nothing should've gone past the radiator cap because it would be closed.

 

[Kedis82ZE8]

A few weeks back noticed one of my neighbors with hood up on the V70 XC he handed down to his daughter. I guess it was a little low on oil so she proceeded to top off the power steering reservoir with motor oil. The car had then been driven 250 miles. I suggested he get it flushed out. Not sure what Volvo uses but many use fluids really thin like AT fluid.

 

[madar]

A few weeks back noticed one of my neighbors with hood up on the V70 XC he handed down to his daughter. I guess it was a little low on oil so she proceeded to top off the power steering reservoir with motor oil. The car had then been driven 250 miles. I suggested he get it flushed out. Not sure what Volvo uses but many use fluids really thin like AT fluid.

ATF was a big universal replacement for power steering fluid. I've seen some snake power steering fluid additives way thicker than motor oil for instance from Lucas Oil supposedly to stop leaks and what not. I've never seen the effects of motor oil in there, though.

 

[erhayes]

You are correct strings. Since the vehicle was not run to temp and the same amount was removed from the overflow take, you will have no problems. I would forget it and enjoy the 3,000 mile drive. Ed

 

[Strings]

You are correct strings. Since the vehicle was not run to temp and the same amount was removed from the overflow take, you will have no problems. I would forget it and enjoy the 3,000 mile drive. Ed

Went thru the whole process with my son-in-law this afternoon. It appears there could be a small amount that remained in the r-tank ... less than a half pint of "mix" at the most. Leaving in the morning with hopes that my wife's new car isn't as sensitive as she.

 

[madar]

Went thru the whole process with my son-in-law this afternoon. It appears there could be a small amount that remained in the r-tank ... less than a half pint of "mix" at the most. Leaving in the morning with hopes that my wife's new car isn't as sensitive as she.

you could always disconnect the tank hose from the radiator neck and easily flush it out with a garden hose....

 

[yrwei52]

you could always disconnect the tank hose from the radiator neck and easily flush it out with a garden hose....

Although I'd do the full system flush but this's a great idea if the CX-5 has never got started and you're not as picky. Finding the genuine Mazda FL-22 coolant is a different story though. I'd just leave cleaned overflow reservoir empty until you can find a Mazda dealer for the correct coolant during the trip and dealer's parts department opens very early. I noticed there're at least 3 different types of Mazda FL-22 coolant, pre-mixed、pure etc. at my Mazda dealer and they're pretty expensive.

 

[madar]

Although I'd do the full system flush but this's a great idea if the CX-5 has never got started and you're not as picky. Finding the genuine Mazda FL-22 coolant is a different story though. I'd just leave cleaned overflow reservoir empty until you can find a Mazda dealer for the correct coolant during the trip and dealer's parts department opens very early. I noticed there're at least 3 different types of Mazda FL-22 coolant, pre-mixed、pure etc. at my Mazda dealer and they're pretty expensive.

You can use distilled water in the tank for now. That can be bought at any supermarket, or yeah, hit the parts department early in the am.

 

[7eregrine]

Tap water is fine unless your tap water comes from a well.
Also agree that not even a little bit of washer fluid would hurt. It is mostly water. You should keep a jug of the premixed stuff handy but you shouldn't need to top it off much unless there's a problem.

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[Seabright]

Methanol is a bad actor. Not much was left in the reservoir after siphoning, but I would dilute with distilled water/siphon a couple of times (only a couple of pints each time) and then top off the overflow tank with distilled water. I'd have no problem then driving the car on a road trip for 3000 miles. Soon after the road trip, I would have the coolant drained and refilled (Mazda coolant). The forget about it for the next 70k miles or so. It takes time for bad water chemistry to cause problems. And if you follow the service manual, the cooling system should be trouble free almost forever (except for the water pump, which is a mechanical wear item).

And I also added the wrong fluid once - oil to the radiator. Had to replace the radiator. A few times a day for the next few weeks I would curse myself - "Oh for Stupid!!".