Need help with my car

My friend's dd kid decides to help me by topping off my wiper fluid with deicer but put it in the coolant. Will a few ounces hurt my engine? What do i do?

Update: i was told the wiper fluid and the antipra would not mix. Because they are 2 different ways. If I can get to it soon enough. I got a pump and put it down the reservoir. I pumped as I was lowering the hose and I got 3 full pumps of blue deicer. Then it turned a dirty orange. I checked my radiator and it was bright orange. I talked to multiple mechanics, half say it's good to go. The other half say it needs flushed. So is it good?

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lissah · 36-40, F

If you put windshield washer fluid in your coolant, do not start the engine; immediately drain the reservoir using a turkey baster or siphon, flush the system with water a few times, then refill with the proper 50/50 coolant mix and bleed the air out, or tow it to a mechanic for a full flush to prevent damage from chemicals like methanol potentially harming seals and the radiator

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Iwillwait · M

@lissah Sound advice

ShenaniganFoodie · 36-40, M

@lissah But the engine will be very clean

Ragnarock1276 · 46-50, M

@lissah he didn't tell me about it til we got to walmart. I asked why my jug that had a few ounces left was empty. He showed me where he put it. I bought a pump and pumped it as i lowered it into the overflow tank. A few ounces of blue came out followed by brownish orange. I checked the radiator and it was bright orange.

JamesBugman

How would he mistake the radiator cap with the windshield wiper bottle? Seems implausible. You sure that is what he did?

If you've accidentally put windshield wiper fluid in your radiator, it generally won't cause immediate damage since it's mostly water, but it can affect the coolant's effectiveness over time. It's advisable to siphon out the fluid and refill the radiator with the appropriate coolant as soon as possible. (AI response).

Ragnarock1276 · 46-50, M

@JamesBugman he's mentally handicapped. He put it in the overflow tank. It has a similar neck to the washer fluid tank.

HikingMan · 51-55, M

Nothing bad will come of it if it's a short term thing.

Though you should flush it when you get a chance.
A couple of ounces isn't enough to make much of a difference overall in a short term scenario.

If he used a lot, the cleaning agents could nullify the anti-corrosion effects in the coolant which could lead to corrosion after a period of time.

It's also not a good idea to use washer fluid as a replacement for coolant in anything but an emergency. As it heats faster and gets hotter than coolant which will lead to overheating.

Ragnarock1276 · 46-50, M

@HikingMan it was the -20f de-icer washer fluid

HikingMan · 51-55, M

@Ragnarock1276 You do want to get it changed out.
I'm just saying that it shouldn't cause major damage in a short term contamination.
Foaming, a drastic change in the color, noxious smells, or strange engine noises signal a more severe contamination.

A couple of ounces shouldn't do that, but could.

When I say short term, I'm talking about a day or two of light usage.

The longer it's in there, the more damage it can do.

Virgo79 · 61-69, M

If it wasn't very much i wouldnt worry about it.

SomeMichGuy · M

Idk

but I'd flush it

RedBaron · M

Why don’t you consult a professional mechanic instead of asking randos on the internet like us?

And what’s a dd kid?

Ragnarock1276 · 46-50, M

@RedBaron developmentally disabled. Because it happened at 10pm and I need my car for work tomorrow

JamesBugman

@Ragnarock1276 Is it cold where you live? Below freezing? That extra water won't be good, but probably fine to drive it to a shop to have it flushed tomorrow.

Ragnarock1276 · 46-50, M

@JamesBugman its 15f right now. It was -20 windshield de-icer. I think i pumped it out. Someone told me to pump the overflow and i got pure blue for a few pumps as i lowered the hose while pumping

fanuc2013 · 51-55, F

That won't hurt anything

Kiesel · 56-60, M

Nah.. it won’t hurt anything.

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