We bought a car that had orange coolant but we thought it went bad because we have never seen orange before, so we added the yellow kind and now my mechanic says the rad needs to be flushed because you cant mix the two but he didnt explain why, anyone know why you can mix the 2?
2006-11-20 08:29:29 · 7 answers · asked by trinity082482 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
you dont need a flush.
I can assure you that it will hurt nothing. All it will do is make your 5 year coolant a 2 year coolant. People will be livid about this subject but I have been to enough technical meetings about this subject I can guarantee you it is fine. And if I were you I would get a coolant flush and have it switched over to green when you have the extra money.
here is a copy and paste from an article the website is:
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/arti...
Lots of misinformation about the compatibility of the different types of coolant technologies exists in literature and the marketplace. While it is not good maintenance practice to mix two different coolants, it will not result in compatibility issues as long as coolants from high-quality, reputable suppliers are used. Coolants are generally considered to be compatible, however, mixing coolants of two different qualities results in a mixture of intermediate quality. While not a disaster, mixing a great coolant with a mediocre coolant will result in a coolant with something of less than great performance. Overdilution with water would have a negative effect, because the corrosion inhibitors would be present in the engine at quantities lower than originally designed. Coolants are designed to work over a range of dilutions. The optimum for most coolant systems is 50 percent coolant and 50 percent good-quality water, and in general coolants are designed to tolerate dilution down to about 40 percent concentrate and 60 percent water.
2006-11-20 12:45:38 · answer #1 · answered by rwings8215 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's not so much that you can't mix the two, but that the wrong kind can damage the metal alloys inside the engine and cooling system.
Back in the old days, when all engines were made of Iron and steel, it wasn't such a big deal, but now, with alluminum and other alloys, engines are more easily damaged.
Bottom line: Your mechanic is right: flush it and refil with the kind the owners manual says.
2006-11-20 08:34:13 · answer #2 · answered by John L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mixing Radiator coolant brands can cause the coolant to curdle. Yes it is best to flush the radiator and put in the new coolant. When you top up the radiator always use the same brand of coolant not just the same colour.
2006-11-20 08:34:05 · answer #3 · answered by sunline 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is true the "Dexcool" (orange stuff) is a different solution and designed to last longer that the old neon green stuff. In reality it's not a coolant, it is an antifreeze. If you live where it doesn't freeze in the winter, run water with a corrosion inhibiter.
So the answer is yes, flush the system and refill with the orange stuff.
2006-11-20 08:32:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The orange stuff is Dex-Cool. If you added the "Global" type in very light yellow, you have not harmed your engine. You may have reduced the effectiveness of the Dex-Cool, but that is not going to be a major problem. If you are worried, drain the radiator, fill with water, run engine, drain again, fill again. That should get most of the yellow out. Add back in a 50/50 mixture of the Orange.
2006-11-20 10:00:18 · answer #5 · answered by united9198 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you can actually damage the radiator mixing the two. Check out the link below it explains a little about coolants.
2006-11-20 08:33:47 · answer #6 · answered by jamesnjenifer 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
flush it...my grandfather did the same thing on a brand new car and it rotted out the gaskets of the motor and did some damage to the motor metals...do it ASAP...your machanic is finally being honest with you...the red coolant is a five year 100,000 mile coolant they should not be mixed together...
2006-11-20 08:31:29 · answer #7 · answered by joy ride 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋