Mishimoto Tips: Mixing Coolant

[@skidwarfarebo2171]

I just bought a 85 cavalier with 22,000 original miles on it but the coolent looks exactly like this hope it hasn’t caused any unfixable damage rusted block etc. I’m only 18 and just spent my entire savings account gunna try prestone coolant flush and pray

[@Micscience]

Great video. It has solid information and right to the point. I have been dealing with this cross contamination on my mother's car. My plan of attack is to reverse flush the cooling system with water. I am also blowing air through out many passage ways and doing the best I can. I am on my fourth flush and I still have a little bit of coolant contamination inside the cooling system. I am almost there but it has been a lot of work. PS: If anyone is wondering the radiator was changed as well but I didn't do it myself. Someone else did it which I would have disagreed had I known because I would have waited for all the sentiment to be gone before installing a new radiator.

[@joetowers4395]

then why on every single gallon I've seen at any of these auto parts stores. on the back of it. it says(can be mixed with any color antifreeze.

[@mishimoto]

Hey Joe, there are certain manufacturers that make their coolant safe to mix. There are a few OEM coolants with specific additives that cannot be used with others without gelling up and clogging the system.

[@jeremiahstone5285]

OEM GM Red coolant from years ago gels up when old, has nothing to do with mixing, doesn't happen if you flush at the proper interval though

[@outwiththem]

@@jeremiahstone5285 GELS UP.. Then i wont buy it.

[@davidholland6061]

I have this problem. Do I need to or have to replace radiator now

[@mishimoto]

This video wasn't created with the intention of determining if your radiator needs to be replaced.

[@parker38]

Can i add Dawn dishwashing liquid to the system and keep flushing the system to clean, Dawn is a safe mild detergent and it breaks down grease very good

[@mishimoto]

This is not something we have tried on our end.

[@parker38]

@@mishimoto I will let you know how it go . At this point nothing to lose I mix antifreezes I didn't know so now I have thick brown pudding coming out my radiator drain hole and running hot in my 2011 Ford F150 3.5 Twin Turbo. Platinum At first I thought the oil was mixing glad it's not

[@paulmoore4589]

Well mines is brown and i flushed mine out and have not mixed two coolant only one and water

[@OldSchoolNoe]

2002 V6 Mustang I acquired has yellowish greenish coolant. I'm going to replace the hoses along with the Tstat and flush the radiator. The owner's manual specifies Motorcraft yellow coolant (Does not mix with other colors). I'm not trying to flush the entire system just top off the radiator after flushing it. Liquid Chill might be the answer but I'm hesitant when it comes to using anything other tan OEM spec...but it's only coolant .

[@mishimoto]

Liquid chill is a full synthetic coolant and should have no issues mixing with the Motorcraft yellow.

[@zash008]

The other brands claim they mix well with other also, just like the claim that Liquid Chill makes. I think I'll just get it from dealer and not worry. Cheap insurance. I hate it but until they all go to a standard coolant, the dealer i go i guess.

[@enrikbardhi8934]

helloo I tried to fill up just a little bit like 0.1 litres of prestone coolant which says it's compatible with any kinds of coolants into the overflow tank. My motorcycle carries 1.7 liters of coolant. since I filled it up the temperature displayed on my speedometer increases alot faster then before. used to take around 14 seconds to go up by one degree Celsius and now its every 2 seconds. any thought?

[@mishimoto]

Were you low on fluid previously? If so, opening the system may have introduced air. We would suggest rebleeding the cooling system and going from there.

[@enrikbardhi8934]

@@mishimoto no it was just slightly above the min line and I decided to top it up. Never opened the radiator cap only the over flow tank which shouldn't have messed with the presure if I'm correct

[@Vladesco911]

Great video guys! Does Thermocure help resolve this issue? I made the same mistake on my Jeep GC SRT 2019 and now it is overheating :(

[@mishimoto]

We have not tested that product. Sorry

[@Vladesco911]

@@mishimoto thank you for the response. Is there a product that you recommend or usually use to flush out these sediments?

[@jmemixx]

I have. It does. I would say use thermocure every few years. I did it once and it cleared all the rust and then it came back years later. Did it again not too long ago. Works

[@powerofknowledge7771]

Very helpful video! Thank you! What do you think about flusing the coolant and changing over dexcool to regular coolant? I have an 05 Buick Century, and dexcool is not good for the head gasket in that particular year, make, model, but that's the original coolant that the car comes with. It's a defect that has since been fixed in newer models, but I have the older model and I'm looking to change it out completely.

[@mishimoto]

This is not something we have tested. Sorry!

[@rickybailey7123]

Great answer sounded like a lawer question 2 me 100 % ! ! I have no idea either just my 2 cents !!!

[@powerofknowledge7771]

@@mishimoto Well, for those who want to know, I tried it on my car that used to have Dexcool. We thoroughly flushed the crap out of it, put new stuff in, and it's doing great!

[@seangowan7441]

@@mishimoto dexcool compatible?

[@kasikauvaka6845]

I have a 2013 subaru Impreza and I noticed the coolant was muddy brown. I took it to my mechanic who flushed my coolant out and put new coolant in. Do you think other parts are affected and this will solve my issue? I’m going to check tomorrow to see if the coolant is still clean. I drive a lot.

[@mishimoto]

New coolant will not resolve anything if there is an underlying problem.

[@kasikauvaka6845]

@@mishimoto that’s what I was thinking. I was just hoping that it’s just because I have almost 215k miles on my car and have never flushed my coolant out before. I take good care of my car I’m just hoping it isn’t anything bad cause it still runs great

[@kasikauvaka6845]

@@mishimoto also I was thinking about doing maybe 2 more flushes within a two week period cause from what I’ve been reading… one flush isn’t going to do the trick if there is residue. What you think?

[@mishimoto]

This would not be a bad idea.

[@tauruscarclubphoenixaz1425]

Just updated mine today found thick chocolate syrup never again I go to the dealer it took me 9 full flushes to clean out the crap

[@carlosgonzalezde-leon7368]

Ah si today I received an oily and heating oil smell and found out the coolant pump below the full line like below the minimum so I filled it with a green all vehicle coolant + antifreeze. And supposedly it is orange 50/50 am I good or not? I’m starting in the automotive business but I made a rookie mistake, what do you think?

[@mishimoto]

There are many variables that come into play here that we won't be able to answer based off the information provided here. We would highly recommend closely monitoring the engine or taking it to a local shop to be checked over if you are concerned with this.

[@carlosgonzalezde-leon7368]

@@mishimoto yes I saw n the back right now I’m in the shop I work at and they told me I should be fine this coolant works on both aluminum and cast iron blocks but I am monitoring the thermostat gauge when driving around in the highway and on rhe streets

[@carlosgonzalezde-leon7368]

@@mishimoto thank you so much

[@EBaker-lk6vg]

How long does it take before damage

[@mishimoto]

There are too many variables at play here that we cannot give a general time frame as each engine is different.

[@skiptaggart8116]

How do you purge a clogged cooling system like that one?

[@mishimoto]

Hey Skip Taggart . If your cooling system gets to this point, it is time for a cooling system flush. If you call around your local auto repair facilities, most locations now have a flush machine that uses a light detergent to help remove all of the build-up. If your looking for a more budget oriented way, prestone makes a "do it yourself" flush kit that can be picked up for only a few dollars. It may not be quite as effective, but personally, I've had pretty decent results.

[@skiptaggart8116]

Thanks! I've used dishwasher dry detergent in the past for a very effective flush. I just wasn't sure if there needed to be a special detergent or solvent that would be needed to bust up that much sludge. My current project is a 274k Ford Ranger with orange sludge in the overflow tank and on the pressure cap that has the consistency of the skin that forms on top of pudding.

[@zash008]

@@skiptaggart8116 "spic n span", the non grit version. I have used it for years in vehicles and tractors. Pour it in with regular antifreeze and leave it. Run the vehicle until you have time to wash it out. Never hurt anything. I have not tried it with this OAT type coolant though.

[@largepoodle6036]

I made this mistake today and in the back of my head I knew I was fuckin up. Ive got orange dexcool and it was pretty much full, I topped it off with some green coolant, probably like half a cup. Should I just empty the container and refill it? I only drove the car once today, I didnt notice anything irregular.

[@largepoodle6036]

I googled it and I'm being told that green prestone can be mixed with other colors of coolant, so I think i might be fine seeing as I only topped off the dexcool with like half a cup of prestone, IF that.

[@largepoodle6036]

I think I'm on the safe side (i hope), lol. I mixed green prestone with orange dexcool... google says prestone is the only coolant that can safely be mixed with other coolants without causing damage.

[@mishimoto]

You are correct with that small amount of coolant that you added you should not run into any issues.

[@MrWontstopthefunk]

Best way to clean the system after some idiot does this? Just got a car and it’s got some of the nastiest antifreeze I’ve ever seen. Drain and filled with distilled water about 4 times now and still draining pretty dirty.

[@mishimoto]

You could flush the system but constantly cycling it out is our choice.

[@raulvilla2825]

should I replace the radiator and flush the coolant out? My coolant is looking orange 😭

[@mishimoto]

Sounds it might be time to flush.

[@Dragon228833]

Had that in my Miata when I got it

[@tako8198]

same, 90' model and it looks like the coolant was not changed since 94' lol

[@CusterFinancialCoaching]

Great video I think that’s what happened to me.

[@GodWasAnAlien]

Is there any way to flush that sludge out of an engine

[@wellnesspathforme6236]

What did you do? How did it work?

[@GodWasAnAlien]

@@wellnesspathforme6236 i just unhooked the radiator hoses and stuck a garden hose in there until it came out clear and I stopped seeing little silicate chunks

[@wellnesspathforme6236]

@@GodWasAnAlien Did you then follow up with distilled water and then the proper mix of coolant? I take it all appears well now. What a hassle. My son has a Toyota that takes red. A precious owner put green in. Apparently, green has silica, and red has chemical that precipitates silica out of solution. A person on a forum that sounded like he knew what he was talking about said Peak Global was the best bet for that exact circumstance, so Peak Global it is. Will flush really well, but the mix was only in play for about 4 miles of driving and a week's worth of time, so I think I might be alright. Also, someone posted that Preston's all-purpose says it doesn't contain silica, so it depends on what the green stuff really is.

[@GodWasAnAlien]

@@wellnesspathforme6236 Yessir. The refill was done using distilled. Didn't worry about the traces of tap water left in the system though, doubt it was enough to matter. Also, I once the flush was done I refilled with the green. From what I understand Orange dexcool will gum up after awhile no matter what. Green generally doesn't have that problem.

[@zash008]

The coolants at the parts stores all say they can be mixed with the OEM....but yet we see these type videos. I guess I will just buy from the dealer.

[@Dragon228833]

Or just look up the right one on google and buy it for $7 at Walmart

[@zash008]

@@Dragon228833 walmart or the parts houses DON'T have what is labeled "Mopar" coolant to be certain I am buying the correct stuff. But "GM Dexcool" is everywhere. I flushed my HEMI many many times then changed over to Dexcool. Now, if I ever need to change it or top it off, the coolant i need is readily available.

[@Dragon228833]

@@zash008 it’s literally the same thing just different brand

[@Bladeshifter20]

Unfortunately my car is like this. I bought orange and have been using it cus its was the small auto dealer I bought the car from put in it.. Once my leak got worse I realized its thick and greenish orange. (The radiator had green in it, while the reservoir was filled with orange). I can't flush it because the petcock is corroded and over-tightened and will most like break if forced. So I'm pretty much screwed at this point and need to pay a shop to handle it.

[@snackyxchan]

Or you can just undo the lower radiator hose and flush it out from there

[@limtimkwon]

i have a 2017 dodge caravan that uses an organic additive technology coolant but i topped it up with an ethylene glycol coolant by mistake, i might have added about half a liter. will it be ok, or should i have the coolant flushed?

[@mishimoto]

Depending on the manufacturer, this mix could lead to gelling in the system. You'll need to check the compatibility of both of your coolants to be sure.

[@tbeast2454]

You should have your radiator flushed within 6 months love you combining the two liquids together before it affects your system permanently

[@Vladesco911]

I did the same with my Jeep GC SRT 2019 in April 2020 and started to overheat in August. You need to flush your coolant system!

[@feraskhodary5497]

So what is it ok afterall? I did the same mistake, in my case it wasn't even half a liter but more like 100ml of green antifreeze and 100ml of water

[@jeyanratilla4567]

How long can you leave the mixed coolant until it starts to turn into sludge?

[@mishimoto]

Not something we have tested. We would suggest flushing the system out as soon as possible.

[@joentjekapoentje]

I thought it was a Caramel slushpuppy.

[@R2FilmProductions]

, if something is labeled Universal and can mix with any color is that okay to mix with Dexcool? At least for temporary fix if you can't find anything else.

[@mishimoto]

Hello R2 Film Productions. Mixing coolants is generally going to be a last resort. Some coolants have a very nasty reaction when mixed together. If you are not in an area that is below freezing at this time of year, I'd recommend adding distilled water until you get the issue with your cooling system resolved as not to cause more damage.