Scott96lt4

I just got back from valvoline instant oil change. I was intending to do my own oil change, but need to make blocks for my ramps. Anyway..... during the oil change, before i could do anything to stop it, they added about 2 quarts of valvoline maxlife antifreeze/coolant to the expansion tank. As soon as i noticed i told them to stop, and even had them use the flush machine nearby to remove as much of what they had just added from the tank as possible. But of course some of it, maybe a few to several cups, is in there and has mixed.

The manager tried to assure me it was "universal" coolant and could mix with whatever. But, all Ive read are horror stories about mixing anything with the dex cool.

How screwed am I? Is my cooling system going to gel up now? Or is the "universal" coolant in there going to be ok until I can get a flush?

Thanks!
Scott

ls777z

From what I've heard/read/know I would be more concerned about having dex-cool in there.

84 4+3

Is it the puke tank or is it pressurized overflow. If it's a puke tank you're fine. If the other than just flush it. There isn't anything inherently wrong with dexcool but the green stuff can cause gelling. (Idk how cooling on the later cars works.)

Scott96lt4

it's the expansion tank forward of the passenger side wheel well

ghoastrider1

your ok.

84 4+3

Just drain the tank out and refill then. It's two screws iirc.

Scott96lt4

I had them pump the tank out down almost to the opening on the bottom. I have prestone dexcool and will refill to the cold line once the car cools down completely.
I was just questioning if the unavoidable amount, probably a few cups, that already mixed was a major cause for concern or not.
I apologize if I'm coming across a little paranoid about this. I admitedly don't know the most about cars... just enough to worry myself haha.

novaks47

It'll be fine. Just unbolt it, dump it out, rinse it, put it back and add your coolant. That Maxlife stuff won't cause any problems, especially not in such a small quantity.

84 4+3

pologreen1

Most are universal now... The 90's cost people but mostly dealers lots of money, therefore it was mostly rectified.

vader86

The universals are ok now, but you should be fine either way. Just drain it out and refill. If you havent done it in 2 years its about due anyway.

ztheusa

Don't do anything. All is good!!

Scott96lt4

Thank you all so much for the help. I'm a member of a few other forums for other hobbies, and this one has been top notch so far. Seeing an active board where folks were helping each other out is one of the biggest reasons I felt confident buying this c4, my first classic car.

vette196

.............and NEVER, EVER go to a quick lube place

Ed Ramberger

Don't worry - the expansion tank moves a relatively low volume back and forth in the big scheme of things and it would have to completely heat up and then cool - so if you drove home and emptied it, none would have ever gotten into the engine because it's in the overflow tank. If it was universal, don't even lose a minute of sleep.

95LT1ZF

When I first started reading,, I though they put coolant in the oil, lol. You typically only get that sort of treatment from the Walmart Express Lube.
You will be fine though as everyone said. It you haven;t flushed the coolant in awhile, might be a good time just to give you peace of mind.