While in a rush to get out, I put the fluid in the wrong place. The car has not overheated but I have smelled the fluid evaporating. There is no difference in engine temperature or running condition. Its a 2002 civic LX with the non vtec motor. Can I leave it in to evaporate or should I change the fluid?
2007-02-26 09:20:00 · 7 answers · asked by Superconductor 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Change the fluid. What's that gonna run you? About $6? I'd rather spend the $6 change the fluid and know that everything's okay than leave it in there do some irrepairable damage and have to buy a new car.
Windshield wiper fluid is heavily alcohol based. It evaporates quickly so that it doesn't leave streaks.
Anti-freeze is polyethylene glycol. It's designed to keep your engine cool. It stays consistently the same viscosity no matter what the temperature is. Either way, it's a bad idea to be trying to cool your engine with alcohol.
CHANGE IT.
2007-02-26 09:26:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should remove the wiper fluid from the resevoir. Unbolt the resevoir and clean it out if you have to. Then only put 50/50 premix antifreeze into it. Do you wish to risk harming your vehicle for this ?
2007-02-26 09:29:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
unless your car has a coolant leak it will not evaporate as cooling systems are considered sealed, unless they have leaks. you need to flush your coolant, probably a few times. the cheapest way to do this is to drain and fill with DISTILLED water 2 or 3 times. and afterward, refill with the proper coolant. washer fluid is not compatible with coolant and will cause rusting of the radiator and engine block.
2007-02-26 09:26:44 · answer #3 · answered by Ksyrium 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing you might notice is that there will be a foam build-up in the resevoir from the wiper fluid cleaner, but other than that, it will be ok.
2007-02-26 09:25:31 · answer #4 · answered by rex_rrracefab 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flush the cooling system. Washer fluid can have some pretty strong cleaners that your seals and gaskets might not take too well to.
2007-02-26 09:44:08 · answer #5 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good time to flush the system, re-fill it 50/50 and if thermostat is original change it too. It won't harm anything if only a little was added.
2007-02-26 10:15:24 · answer #6 · answered by wheeler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how much you put in. but it shouldn't be a problem. Have the coolant concentration checked to make sure that it won't freeze and adjust as neccesary.
2007-02-26 09:26:21 · answer #7 · answered by Gordon B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋