[moose eater]

I logged off to go do other work, when it occurred to me that I don't think anyone has asked this yet, but;

Why was your coolant close to a gallon low? Blow a proverbial cork with a partial freeze-up due to improper mix? Leaking fitting or hose on the coolant system? Damaged head gasket, radiator leak, or worse, a cracked block?

Seems to me that is potentially a more serious question than whether you brought your coolant:H2O ratio out of whack with the mishap involving the washer fluid.

[aridbud]

Better than fueling up with diesel when your vehic runs on unleaded. Cough.

[Green Squall]

Moose: I used the premixed stuff. Always have. The fluid I used was winter rated, so I'm not worrying about it freezing. Its garaged tonight and I'm going to bring it to the mechanic Monday. I'm not much of a car guy so I don't feel comfortable doing it myself.

---

Good question about the coolant tank being so low. I'll check where the max/min line is tomorrow, but I've always been good about checking the fluids, so I'm almost positive theres no greater problem. I might have also added less fluid than I originally thought as well. I appreciate you bringing it up though...

The car is in good shape. Not even 90,000 miles and had everything checked out this fall at the mechanic whos a family friend. He retiring soon and I'm not looking fwd to finding someone new! Honest mechanics are a rare breed nowadays.

[Green Squall]

Also thank you to everyone who responded. I've posted on the Nissan Forum in the last and people there are vicious lol. I'd rather get car advice from like minded people

[moose eater]

Originally Posted by Green Squall

Also thank you to everyone who responded. I've posted on the Nissan Forum in the last and people there are vicious lol. I'd rather get car advice from like minded people

They're just not stoned enough over there. Offer them a canna butter brownie with walnuts, wait an hour, and then ask 'em. Probably be a whole different experience.. for all of you..

So you didn't put the washer fluid directly into the radiator, but rather into the reservoir, correct?

If that's the case, then there's been much less mixing between the two; some, but much less. The radiator fluids expand with the engine heating up, and the extra goes into the reservoir. When the engine cools down, it's supposed to suck it back into the engine. Expansion and contraction of a sealed or semi-sealed system.

If your reservoir has been changing levels (not from hot to cold, or vice versa, but hot-to-hot or cold-to-cold comparisons) then you (may/likely) have a breech some place.

The overflow hose/tube that leads from immediately below your radiator cap on most vehicles, over to the reservoir, can develop leaks. In that case, it may expel fluids under pressure, and suck air when trying to re-establish level on cooling.

Hopefully if you're loosing liquid, it's a minor issue. But in my experience, if your coolant is nearly a gallon low, there's at least some sort of 'trouble in River City.'

The nice part of anti-freeze is that it has an indistinguishable odor. And you can locate a leak with a black light some times. (*Plus the added joy of playing with black lights!! )

******!!!!!! If you -do- have a leak, sufficient to cause any pooling/puddles near your vehicle, make sure to keep any pets (yours or others) away from it. If you're using traditional ethylene glycol for coolant (as opposed to the purportedly safer more environmentally sound newer blends), it can shut down their kidneys and lead quickly to death. And it's sweet both to smell and taste.!!!!*****

[Green Squall]

Originally Posted by moose eater

They're just not stoned enough over there. Offer them a canna butter brownie with walnuts, wait an hour, and then ask 'em. Probably be a whole different experience.. for all of you..

So you didn't put the washer fluid directly into the radiator, but rather into the reservoir, correct?

If that's the case, then there's been much less mixing between the two; some, but much less. The radiator fluids expand with the engine heating up, and the extra goes into the reservoir. When the engine cools down, it's supposed to suck it back into the engine. Expansion and contraction of a sealed or semi-sealed system.

If your reservoir has been changing levels (not from hot to cold, or vice versa, but hot-to-hot or cold-to-cold comparisons) then you (may/likely) have a breech some place.

The overflow hose/tube that leads from immediately below your radiator cap on most vehicles, over to the reservoir, can develop leaks. In that case, it may expel fluids under pressure, and suck air when trying to re-establish level on cooling.

Hopefully if you're loosing liquid, it's a minor issue. But in my experience, if your coolant is nearly a gallon low, there's at least some sort of 'trouble in River City.'

The nice part of anti-freeze is that it has an indistinguishable odor. And you can locate a leak with a black light some times. (*Plus the added joy of playing with black lights!! )

******!!!!!! If you -do- have a leak, sufficient to cause any pooling/puddles near your vehicle, make sure to keep any pets (yours or others) away from it. If you're using traditional ethylene glycol for coolant (as opposed to the purportedly safer more environmentally sound newer blends), it can shut down their kidneys and lead quickly to death. And it's sweet both to smell and taste.!!!!*****

Correct.

Thanks for all the info. All the more reason to get it checked out. No puddles or visible leaks, but I'm aware of the dangers. You'd think in this day and age they would add something to change the smell and taste. Man I bet its not uncommon for pets to come across this stuff.

[moose eater]

Had a jackass of a neighbor poison a neighboring family's dog by accident, when he was purposefully trying to poison -another- family's dog. Ugly death, and yes, he knows what I think of him.

I'm not even sure the newer 'environmentally safer' antifreeze is as safe as they claim. I wouldn't drink it!!

I saw the Dobie on your avatar many times, but it didn't register until I'd signed off again. And you seem like a critter guy, too.

Good luck.

[pumpkinpie eyes]

Hoping minor issue. drain & fill cheap insurance

[pumpkinpie eyes]

Originally Posted by aridbud

Better than fueling up with diesel when your vehic runs on unleaded. Cough.

knew a few did that before nozzle changed. antifreeze maybe not so bad.

[Bush Dr]

Modern engines have corrosion inhibitors in them, get it changed