Screenwash in radiator?

[stevek]

As the 'car guy' I just had a call from a friend. He's put 1ltr of Screenwash (so presumably dilute) in the radiator cap by mistake. He has only topped it up till the max marker though so it's not overfilled.

My initial reaction is 'should be fine as long as the antifreeze was at a good concentration before hand. So basically I said it'll be fine.

Then I started googling and started doubting myself. People saying 'don't drive it get it collected by a garage and drain the system' (Audi TT forum) and some other such dramatic stuff. I don't really believe it but the two valid points I spotted amongst it were 'the detergent might froth everywhere' and 'the Screenwash chemicals could react and go horrible'.

Can the more reasoned retro rides folk reassure me or point out the error my potentially embarrassing advice?

Cheers, Steve.

[cobblers]

It'll be fine. Long term, if the alcohols are different then it could react and go gloopy. I'd probably recommend a drain and refill sooner or later, but there's no real urgency.

[DavidB]

I used to use this stuff through the winter when I was skint!
It must've been in the car for about 2 years. It'll be fine.

[Bandit]

Look on the bright side, his rad, hoses and water ways of the engine will be nice an clean ;-)

[usedabused]

I'd drain and flush especially with winter round the corner.....

[monkeep]

What car is it?? I think the only problem would be with an aluminium cylinder head and corrosion and so on but as discussed - if you drain and flush sooner than later it should be fine, I don't think there will be an frantic urgent rush, its still largely just water...

[bortaf]

The MIL was allways doing this! it's be fine for a while (certainly never hurt any car she ever owned) it might not react well with OAT coolant though ?, she also once spent 45 mins adding a Ltr of oil throuigh the dipstick ! and once added A/F to the brake master LOL

[Deleted]

some people should be kept away from vehicles!!!!!! lol

[ferny]

I'd get it out. It may not appear to be doing any harm but if you think about it... It's a detergent so will foam, especially around the water pump. This (all be it, over a long time) will cause the impeller to be damaged and fail, as well as potential air locks. It'll also reduce its cooling and non-freezing abilities. I've no idea how it'll impact the sensors (if they're special fancy ones?), the anti-corrosion properties of the existing coolant and the many different metals in the system.

Put it this way - I'd not be putting washing up liquid in my cars radiator...

Plus, how did he manage to fit 1lt?!?!

[usedabused]

Of course I didn't think about cavitation........

[steveo3002]

id be looking to change it when i can, but id be more concerned that it needed 1ltr of top up so look at why it needs this

[nelliem]

Radiator header tanks are not filled to the brim, I assume he thought this was the screenwash tank and brimmed it.

[Deleted]

Depends what car it is and what Antifrezze is being used, if it is an older car with bluecol or similar it will be fine but if it is a modern car do not start the car and get it drained and flush before driving it.

I was once called out to a Rover 214 that had cut out, the owner couldn't under stand why it would go wrong just after his neighbour who knows everything about cars had just serviced it. The coolant expansion tank had been filled with oil so god knows what he put in the actual engine. I told him the only cure would be to beat his neighbour around the head with a large bit of wood.

[stevek]

Thanks for the replies, its brought out some great stories too.

I'll probably see him over the weekend so I'll pass on the advise. And also tell him to keep a eye on the coolant level in case its loosing coolant.

For those that asked the car in question is a 2005ish Seat Ibiza. It's a petrol, probably about a 1.4 (its blue if that helps )

Cheers, Steve