Windshield washer fluid + coolant

[Scimmia]

OK guys, a topic that has been brought up a couple of times recently on another board that I'm on is windshield washer fluid accidentally added to the engine cooling system (yeah, I know). Some people argue that it shouldn't hurt anything, just dilute the coolant slightly; others (including me) say to get rid of ASAP, methanol can't be good for the system, and who knows what it could do to an OAT coolant.

Anyone have any definitive information, regarding either OAT or conventional coolant?

I may not be able to get back here for a couple of days, so if you ask me something and I don't respond, please be patient.

 

[Kestas]

Just an opinion, but I would flush it out if the main charge is OAT (or DexCool). Isn't one of the reasons for the DexCool gelling problem because many people top up with the wrong fluid?

 

[Scimmia]

Kestas, thank you very much for your reply. I guess there's not much info out there on this subject.

 

[Kestas]

I thought there'd be more discussion on this. I forgot to ask - about how much washer fluid was added?

 

[Scimmia]

One guy said it was about a cup, the other guy didn't say. I told them that if it hasn't been driven, just clean out the overflow tank and refill, but if it's been driven to flush the whole system. One was a Buick Regal, the other was an Audi TT. I'm starting to wonder what kind of board I belong to, I mean it says Engine Coolant Only on the cap.

Yeah, I thought I'd get more discussion, too; I thought it was an interesting topic. Oh well.

 

[unDummy]

Any time you accidently mix in the wrong fluid, my vote if for a complete flush.

 

[Vilan]

If it was the summer pink bug wash stuff, that's 98% water so I doubt it would affect very much. If it's the blue winter fluid, the methanol would at the very least make it boil at a lower temperature than normal, plus whatever effect it may have on gaskets or the coolant itself. I dunno. A cup of methanol in a gallon of antifreeze doesn't sound good.

 

[mazduh30]

As stated, if car wasn't driven, I would just flush the over flow. If the car was driven, flush the system. Why take the chance?

 

[brianl703]

I'd think the methanol would evaporate out of the system pretty quickly. It already does when the washer fluid is exposed to normal summertime temps (so that if you haven't flushed your fluid prior to winter, it can freeze on you).