Dah... I can't believe this...

[TrueBlueLS]

Okay, I'm trying to get my old car sold and I realized that it was low on engine coolant. So I walk over to the nice yellow Prestone engine coolant bottle and proceed to put it in my car. Within a second... I realized it wasn't engine coolant. After quick investigation... I realize that it's motor oil. Does anyone know if there's anything within the coolant system of a GM car where there would be something to ignite this?

 

[iamwiz82]

usually anti freeze is a big bottle and oil is a small bottle, how the hell did you mistake them?

 

[yakko]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
usually anti freeze is a big bottle and oil is a small bottle, how the hell did you mistake them?

It was probably dirty motor oil that was stored in there after an oil change.

 

[TechManager]

Probably old oil someone put in an old coolant container - right? To answer your question- probably nothing in there to ignite the oil, but you still need to open the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator and flush it out with a hose. Then fill it back up with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water. You may want to try using a radiator flush (available at wal-mart) before filling it back again too.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: yakko

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
usually anti freeze is a big bottle and oil is a small bottle, how the hell did you mistake them?

It was probably dirty motor oil that was stored in there after an oil change.

And not properly disposed of immediately? Now that's just plain dumb.

Oh, and to fix your problem, go get a backflush kit, install it, and run it for several hours. The LAST thing you need is getting motor oil in your heater core and gumming up the passage ways that run through your motor meant for water and antifreeze.

nik

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: yakko

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
usually anti freeze is a big bottle and oil is a small bottle, how the hell did you mistake them?

It was probably dirty motor oil that was stored in there after an oil change.

i always put old oil in the container the new oil came out of.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: TechManager
Probably old oil someone put in an old coolant container - right? To answer your question- probably nothing in there to ignite the oil, but you still need to open the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator and flush it out with a hose. Then fill it back up with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water and sell it quick. You may want to try using a radiator flush (available at wal-mart) before filling it back again too.

Sell it!? Holy shady characters Batman. :disgust: Remind me to NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM YOU.

Take the time to fix it.

If you sell it, TELL the people who are buying the car what you did. It's only fair. Besides, if they buy it anyway (which, if you flush it, they should because it won't be a problem), they can't come back and sue you for mechanical problems later if they somehow find out.

nik (WTF is up with blatantly dishonest people!? :|)

 

[yakko]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: yakko

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
usually anti freeze is a big bottle and oil is a small bottle, how the hell did you mistake them?

It was probably dirty motor oil that was stored in there after an oil change.

i always put old oil in the container the new oil came out of.

I always put it in the big recycling drum but then again the VW shop I used to work at still lets me use the place.

 

[TrueBlueLS]

Hey, it's not like I intentionally did this. I just want to get it fixed so that the kid doesn't come back telling me I lied and sold him a lemon.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: AMDStunna
Hey, it's not like I intentionally did this. I just want to get it fixed so that the kid doesn't come back telling me I lied and sold him a lemon.

Exactly. It's all good... just do your best to get it fixed and make sure it's fixed before you sell it.

Backflush kit.
Backflush kit.
Backflush kit.
Backflush kit.
Backflush kit.
Backflush kit.
Backflush kit.
Backflush kit.

 

[TechManager]

Originally posted by: ffmcobalt

Originally posted by: TechManager
Probably old oil someone put in an old coolant container - right? To answer your question- probably nothing in there to ignite the oil, but you still need to open the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator and flush it out with a hose. Then fill it back up with a 50/50 mix of coolant and water and sell it quick. You may want to try using a radiator flush (available at wal-mart) before filling it back again too.

Sell it!? Holy shady characters Batman. :disgust: Remind me to NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM YOU.

Take the time to fix it.

If you sell it, TELL the people who are buying the car what you did. It's only fair. Besides, if they buy it anyway (which, if you flush it, they should because it won't be a problem), they can't come back and sue you for mechanical problems later if they somehow find out.

nik (WTF is up with blatantly dishonest people!? :|)

OK I guess my "sell it quick" comment needs some clairification. I never intended to imply that I would not disclose what had happened! YES I would fix it, YES I would sell it quick, and YES I would tell whomever buys it the ENTIRE story. I have bought/sold over 25 cars in the last 6-7 years (kinda a hobby of mine) and I have always found that telling the whole truth about the cars works best. In reality, most people don't care about things like that and if they really like the car- they will buy it- and I can sleep at night too! Apoligies for the wrong impression!

 

[Kerouactivist]

wow I'm glad I've never done that, I hope you can get everthing worked out alright.