Brake fluid in coolant expansion tank

[Dave from Maine]

I would like to blame my wife, son, or the dog, but I accidentally put about 3 ounces of Dot 3 brake fluid in my coolant expansion tank. I immediately realized it and siphoned the entire tank empty. After reading that brake fluid is glycol based and would be soluble with the coolant I decided to fill the tank with water and siphon twice to attempt to get all the contaminant out. My question is, with the engine being cold and never started could the contaminated coolant have gone beyond the expansion tank into the rest of the cooling system? If I understand the cooling system, the tank collects expansion when the coolant heats up and conversely returns coolant when the engine cools. There is a hose under the expansion tank. Is there some kind of pressure valve that opens and closes at the expansion tank base where it connects that would have prevented anything from reaching the rest of the cooling system? This is why they should have never legalized weed in my state.

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[Rusty PW]

With what you did. I think you will be fine. Since you never started the engine. You're not the first person to do something like this. Neighbor put washer fluid into his coolant reservoir and ran all of last summer like that. Far as I know, it's still like that.

 

[Lunentucker]

I think I would've said it was my neighbor and I was asking for her

 

[Rusty PW]

I think I would've said it was my neighbor and I was asking for her

The neighbor is a crayon eater (retired marine grunt). Rick is a good guy, but sometimes, things slip passed him. LOL

 

[Lunentucker]

The neighbor is a crayon eater (retired marine grunt). Rick is a good guy, but sometimes, things slip passed him. LOL

Haha. I meant the OP.

 

[Rusty PW]

Haha. I meant the OP.

I've done stupid stuff before. I'm not going to tell you how I ruined a $120K Iso-Carbon seal on a hydrogen compressor.

 

[IanNubbit]

You are most likely fine. Never a bad idea to go ahead and just flush the system and use OEM coolant and distilled water in like a week

 

[Lunentucker]

I've done stupid stuff before. I'm not going to tell you how I ruined a $120K Iso-Carbon seal on a hydrogen compressor.

Is it on the hydrogen compressor forums?

 

[Rusty PW]

Is it on the hydrogen compressor forums?

This was back in the mid '90's. Working on-site at an oil refinery.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My question is, with the engine being cold and never started could the contaminated coolant have gone beyond the expansion tank into the rest of the cooling system?

No, you are fine. The only time it could be an issue is if the thing was warm and cooling off.
You did the right thing.
Frankly, I'd not sweat it a bit.

 

[Dougstdig]

With what you did. I think you will be fine. Since you never started the engine. You're not the first person to do something like this. Neighbor put washer fluid into his coolant reservoir and ran all of last summer like that. Far as I know, it's still like that.

Neighbor huh? Sticking with that story I see…

 

[Dave from Maine]

With what you did. I think you will be fine. Since you never started the engine. You're not the first person to do something like this. Neighbor put washer fluid into his coolant reservoir and ran all of last summer like that. Far as I know, it's still like that.

Damn, I remember you neighbor from childhood. We used to take the same bus to school. We always wondered why it was shorter than the one the other kids took.

 

[just_another_guy]

You handled the situation well and have nothing to be concerned about

 

[Rusty PW]

Damn, I remember you neighbor from childhood. We used to take the same bus to school. We always wondered why it was shorter than the one the other kids took.

Rick was eating crayons back in grade school. Still eats them today. He came out of his mother's womb a jar head. He will die a jar head with crayons stuck to his teeth.

 

[charliez]

At least you didn't do what Sears Automotive did to my sister. She had them change the transmission fluid and the guy refilled it using the oil dipstick. The engine was full, to the valve covers, the intake manifold gasket blew out the back, and the transmission welded itself into one unassembleable hunk of scrap, and Sears would cover the cost. I would imagine it took a long time to pour all those quarts down the little hole. That should have been some indication to a normal person but...

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