G-05+green mixing

[nthach]

I had the timing belt in my parent's Nissan Quest changed and I sent off with the mechanic $300 worth of OEM Nissan parts and 2 gallons of G-05. I noticed there was a 1/2 gallon left, and i checked the coolant bottle and it was almost clear. Opened the radiator cap. There was a bit of green in there. I know adding conventional green and G-05 is OK, but i'm worried about if this mechanic used the Dex-Cool variety of green Prestone and Wal-Mart/Kragen markets. How can I tell besides a coolant analysis? I've smelled both the coolants I have, convention green smells fishy, while the new Prestone green smells like Sprite.

The mechanic is at a Chevron station, so I assume if he did have to use his own coolant, it would be Chevron coolant or Atlas, which I do hope is conventional green.

[ April 11, 2006, 02:37 AM: Message edited by: nthach ]

 

[Ray H]

My best guess is that your mechanic emptied the radiator, but did not drain the block or do a full flush. The "green" is probably what remained behind of the old coolant. I wouldn't worry about it. You might want to touch your finger to the liquid in the puke tank and flick it off and then taste your finger to see if it's bitter-sweet. (Don't worry - that little a "dose" of even straight antifreeze is harmless - but if you're still concerned, immediately sip a mouthfull of water, swish, and spit.) If there's no "flavor", the mechanic probably just added water to the puke tank. In that case, I'd empy it out and add a 50/50 antifreeze-water mix to about the halfway level. Make sure the fluid level in the radiator is all the way up to the sealing ring of the radiator filler neck when cold, too.

 

[nthach]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ray H:
My best guess is that your mechanic emptied the radiator, but did not drain the block or do a full flush. The "green" is probably what remained behind of the old coolant. I wouldn't worry about it. You might want to touch your finger to the liquid in the puke tank and flick it off and then taste your finger to see if it's bitter-sweet. (Don't worry - that little a "dose" of even straight antifreeze is harmless - but if you're still concerned, immediately sip a mouthfull of water, swish, and spit.) If there's no "flavor", the mechanic probably just added water to the puke tank. In that case, I'd empy it out and add a 50/50 antifreeze-water mix to about the halfway level. Make sure the fluid level in the radiator is all the way up to the sealing ring of the radiator filler neck when cold, too.

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Well, the car was filled with G-05 when I changed the coolant. And when I looked at it, it wasn't a clear green like the Prestone Dex-Clones. I think I'm OK.

 

[nthach]

Could it also be from the UV dye I added to the old coolant as well?

 

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