Big or little problem with my C7 Z51?
 

Against my better judgement, I took my '14 Z51 to a quick change oil business today to get the oil changed. It was down to 0% left on the old oil and I wasn't going to be able to get it done myself like I usually do. I've used this place for years for my other cars with no problems. Today was different however. One guy under car draining the old oil and new kid on top adding the new oil. I took them two five qt jugs of Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic and instructed them to put in 9 qts. I was waiting in customer area and heard someone cursing and my car was the only one in the bays so I was curious enough to investigate. New kid had mistaken the oil add cap and the coolant reservoir and put about 1 and a quarter qts of 5W30 in the coolant tank till it started running over. I helped them siphon out over a quart of the coolant/oil mixture and told them they were going to have to pay for a complete coolant flush. Drove it home and parked it. Do you think it caused any damage driving it a short distance till I can get it flushed? Exactly what am I looking at here?

Doug

I would have NEVER turned that car on after discovering they did that!

This ^^^^ should have had it towed to a dealer.

^Well its too late now. Of course the oil was floating on top of the water in the surge tank so you probably siphoned most of it out. Would probably still be best to get the cooling system flushed now. No big deal.

I would definitely get your C7 towed to your dealer and get the coolant system flushed since engine has been run and you only removed most of the oil by siphoning at best.
We seem to be hearing more and more of this happening as this is the third time (as I recall) in the last few months. Others didn't actually run the engine.
Good luck!

I was kind of between a rock and a hard place. It was late in the day and local Chevy dealer's service dept is not open on Sat except for oil changes and such. Didn't want to leave it at the oil change shop either. Probably should have had it flatbedded to my house and dealt with it Monday. I'm hoping a coolant system flush and new coolant will solve any problems. I guess I'll find out.

Doug

Coolant flush and it will be fine. I know it sounds like a disaster, but in truth it isn’t.

Yes, you were. While it certainly didn't do your C7 any good driving it, you didn't destroy it either. I definitely wouldn't drive it any more until after the flush.

Damn new kids, always screwing everything up!!!
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Your car isn't going to be damaged by a little bit of oil in the cooling system for a few days. Just get the system flushed and filled, it will be fine.

It's not that big of a deal.

Just get a coolant flush and you are good to go. Don't make a mountain over this mole hill.

Ken

From what I know about a cooling system, I can't think of any components that will be damaged by some diluted mixture of oil passing thru it. Don't think it will stop up the radiator passages for example.

Doug

:iagree: Going to be an expensive mistake for the quick line place but they should train their people better.

Didn’t hurt a thing. And since you got most of it out, you could just drive it and there would also be no long term problems.

But this is a forum so people go haywire over anything......

I know the horse has left the barn, but a lot of guys would have watched them perform the service just to make sure little Johnny NewKid didn't screw up.

Specialized oil system + generic/commoditized oil change place = Overwatch required.

That said, I think your car will be fine since you siphoned out most and after a flush.

Seems like someone needs an enema....

LOL

Ken

I just went through this!!!.......except I did it myself. We all make mistakes. Did my first oil change on my personal car a few weeks ago C7 Z51 and I accidentally put oil in the coolant res instead of oil tank. It's easy to do!! I almost had a heart attack when it overflowed and I figured it out. I siphoned out the coolant res tank, flushed the tank three times with Prestone coolant system cleaner and all is well. I never started my car, I cleaned and flushed the system first but I think you'll be just fine. Based on my previous searches, this has happened many times to other forum members. I would just have the res tank cleaned or replaced, flush the coolant system and run it. You'll be fine.

Wow, the "Performance Plan" they use to correct employee mistakes at the MonkeyLube is serious! LOL

Hey, we're not far from each other. UTA is my old Alma Mater. The guy in charge of the quick change place was quick to point out that the coolant tank doesn't have 'COOLANT' written on it, just notes the system pressure. I almost agree with him that nearly all these mixups could be avoided if General Motors could afford to write what the damn cap is for on the cap. lol

:iagree:

You got most of it out and it's a reservoir.....its not like you got a quart and a half of oil floating around inside your system ....

Flush it and you will be fine

Dave

Seems a pretty poor argument to me as oil caps are typically clearly identified.

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