making a mistake!

[benhuckstep]

if you filled the radiator expansion tank with half litre of oil in error then what would happen? does it just sit in the expansion tank?

[ian_uk1975]

Oh dear. I think it would just reduce the boiling point of your coolant, but not entirely sure. No idea how it might react with glycol antifreeze, either. It won't just sit in the expansion tank... it will be circulated along with the coolant. I would think the best option would be to flush your system with a degreaser, followed by fresh, clean water, then refill.

[Holst]

If its just in the expansion tank and you didnt try and start the engine then it should still be in there, floating at the top of the tank.

You should be able to remove the tank and clean it out without having to flush the entire cooling system.
Also clean any pipes or fittings that might have come into contact with the oil.

How did you manage to make a mistake like this?

[Avocet]

Don't think it would reduce the boiling point, but if you've started the engine and got it warm, it will make the most disgusting mess! It's likely to form an emulsion with the water - a sort of mayonaise-like "goop" with a grey froth on the top of the water in your header tank. I think this will be the devil's own job to shift. I've a feeling Halfords sell various cooling system cleaning potions that you might be able to try. Several changes of water at least (but obviously, beware of it freezing in this weather if you're running it without antifreeze while you flush it out.

[rev-erend]

Have you actually done this or is it a theoretical question ?

Oil floats on water - so it would stay in the expansion tank until you started the engine the mix with the water when you start and run the engine.

[Mr.Jimbo]

You will all laugh at me, but a guy I used to work with bought a Rover 200 with a knackered headgasket (pipes full of mayo) and replaced the headgasket, skimmed the head etc.

When he rebuilt it, he filled the cooling system with water, and then popped a couple of liqui-tab washing things in (you know, the dissolvable clear type) and ran that through the system for 10 minutes (think he let it warm up to operating temp, then cool). Emptied the system and flushed it, repeat, then flush and see how clean it is. IIRC all the pipes and hoses were immaculate, he then just topped up the cooling system with water + coolant

Honest to god, this isn't a "my mate etc..." story, I actually saw him do it. What made me laugh was the smell, it smelled awesome just idling away, stinking of wash powder

Mr.Jimbo

Edited because I can't speel vury guud

Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Wednesday 4th February 03:00

[phumy]

I once watched a neighbours wife filling the car, in the early 80's, she thought it was the radiator filling cap, with water, she was filling the engine.

The story came out, her husband was away on a course with his work, she was left the car for the week, she decided to check the oil and water after her husband had called her asking her to do so. She had asked how and he had said just remove the cap look in the top and if you cant see the level fill it up until you can, then put the cap back on !!!!!!!!

Of course she saw the oil filler cap as the radiator cap, looked inside, saw nothing and proceeded to fill, she saw me looking and called me over and asked if she was doing correct, i told her to stop as it was not the correct place to be putting water, she said thats where her husband had told her. I then pointed to the the radiator cap, she was mortified and she had put two watering cans full into it already.

I can imagine the phone call to her old man, trying to blame him because he didnt explain well enough which cap she should have removed to put the water in.