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I know, what an idiot!!
I was replacing the fan switch in my daughter’s 2004 Civic and lost a bit of antifreeze. Decided to top it off and grabbed that familiar black gallon jug that’s supposed to contain Zerex Asian Formula antifreeze. Instead, I poured about 100 mL into the radiator when I realized it was motor oil. I quickly drained the radiator and poured about a gallon of water through.
So would you recommend:
1. Go ahead and fill ‘er up with antifreeeze,
2. Continue to run water through the system until clean,
3. Perform a complete flush with a surfactant-based radiator cleaner.
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If you did not crank the vehicle, I’d suggest sufficiently flushing the radiator with water and fill it up. That’s not really a lot of oil and it was likely diluted to some extent by the coolant. I think in this scenario, you’d be just fine.
Some of the oil will have attached itself to the radiator surfaces.
With the top and bottom radiator hose removed, block the openings in the radiator and pour a mix of hot water and a strong detergent into the radiator. Let it sit a few minutes and drain. Do that a second time if you want.. Then fill with plain water and drain and then rinse out with a hose.
That should not take long and should remove any remaining oil in the radiator. 100ml is a small amount of oil so you should be right.
No, I did not start it. As soon as I realized what I had done, I drained the radiator.
Think I’ll try the hot soapy water with lots of rinsing.
A 2004 probably has at least 5 more years of life, so it’s best to emulsify that oil and get it out of there.
However, if the car is not far away from the scrap heap, just run it. Blown gaskets are always putting coolant and oil together, and the car continues down the road for quite a while.
If you didnt crank over the engine then you should be fine. Pour some vinegar down the radiator and then flush it thoroughly with water.
We all mean well, and there is no shortage of opinions…This was less than half a coke can of oil. What you propose to do will be more than fine. All the best…
I think the only problem that will result is to frighten the next guy who looks at the coolant and thinks there is a head gasket leak.
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