Poured engine oil in coolant reservoir
05-16-2012, 11:33 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Poured engine oil in coolant reservoir
Its a 2002 convertible. This morning it showed low engine oil so I decided to top it off. But instead of the engine, I poured a little (2-3 Tablespoon) of oil in the coolant reservoir (not the radiator) before I realized what I was doing.
I am guessing I can just remove the reservoir, flush it and pour new dexcool and it will be fine? Do I need a full coolant flush (52000 miles on the car) but I just had a water pump replacement at the dealer about 7000 miles ago.
Can I drive it right now for sometime or should I avoid it?
Appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Titus
I am guessing I can just remove the reservoir, flush it and pour new dexcool and it will be fine? Do I need a full coolant flush (52000 miles on the car) but I just had a water pump replacement at the dealer about 7000 miles ago.
Can I drive it right now for sometime or should I avoid it?
Appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Titus
05-16-2012, 11:49 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
*looks at the calendar...nope not April 1*
As long as you haven't started the car, there's no way any of the oil would have entered the rad. If it was me, I'd just take the resevoir off and clean it out - should be fine.
As long as you haven't started the car, there's no way any of the oil would have entered the rad. If it was me, I'd just take the resevoir off and clean it out - should be fine.
05-16-2012, 12:26 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
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To be on the safe side, I would remove it completely and dump the contents, clean it out properly, reinstall and add the coolant.
05-16-2012, 12:48 PM
#6
Race Director
05-16-2012, 01:30 PM
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Must have either been a tough night or a rough day.
05-16-2012, 01:36 PM
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05-16-2012, 01:45 PM
#11
I have my fair share of dumb things done in my past, but I have to say this one seems pretty high up there. Sleep walking?
05-16-2012, 02:27 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
run it....your water pump will thank you.....
Just kidding...
Next time, put it in the gas tank....THAT you can get away with!!
Better luck next time.
Just kidding...
Next time, put it in the gas tank....THAT you can get away with!!
Better luck next time.
05-16-2012, 02:29 PM
#14
Burning Brakes
I was thinking that this was a late April fools joke. 
I have done some bad things also, everybody has in some way or fashion done something crazy.
I would do like the others have said and just pull the coolant tank and clean it real good and you should be good to go.
I have done some bad things also, everybody has in some way or fashion done something crazy.
I would do like the others have said and just pull the coolant tank and clean it real good and you should be good to go.
05-16-2012, 02:39 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
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Remove the resevoir, 4 nuts and a clamp, empty the coolant, fill the resevoir with Dawn soap and water, sake, drain, and repeat a few more times. I work at a lab, and that is how we wash out labware and remove oil, fat, and grease.
05-16-2012, 02:48 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
Oil floats on water anyway so it would not be mixed. Don't start it , Just drain it and flush it , fill with new coolant. That mistake was still better than adding coolant to your oil.
05-16-2012, 02:55 PM
#18
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
That's right. Oil will not mix, so all you need to do is suction it out. But if you want to take the whole unit off and clean it, go for it. Better safe than sorry I suppose.
05-16-2012, 03:27 PM
#20
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '13
It'll be floating on top. Either suck it out or use an oil absorbing material such as pigmat and soak it off the top. No need to remove it. A trace of oil would actually not be a problem and can be beneficial.