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Viel Spass
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 Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:07 am Post subject: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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I am looking for some reference material that shows what happens when
brake fluid (DOT 3) is added to ethylene glycol.
An automotive shop put the brake fluid into my coolant. (approx. 4
ounces from the master cylinder)
I found black particles floating in the coolant and in the reservoir.
The coolant also had turned a brownish-green color as well.
Thanks for any help. |
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dlzc
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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Dear Viel Spass:
On Jul 16, 4:07 am, Viel Spass <andy77...@yahoo.com> wrote:
| Quote: |
I am looking for some reference material that shows
what happens when brake fluid (DOT 3) is added to
ethylene glycol.
An automotive shop put the brake fluid into my
coolant. (approx. 4 ounces from the master
cylinder)
I found black particles floating in the coolant and in
the reservoir.
The coolant also had turned a brownish-green color
as well.
|
Are you sure they did this? These symptoms might occur if engine oil
got into your coolant, say from a damaged head gasket. (A cracked
block would probably also allow coolant into your engine oil.)
If they did this, take your car back to them, and have them flush the
cooling system at no charge. Further, require them to warrant the
water pump and hoses for one full year, and get it in writing.
David A. Smith |
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Viel Spass
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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On Jul 16, 9:39 am, dlzc <dl...@cox.net> wrote:
| Quote: |
Dear Viel Spass:
On Jul 16, 4:07 am, Viel Spass <andy77...@yahoo.com> wrote:
I am looking for some reference material that shows
what happens when brake fluid (DOT 3) is added to
ethylene glycol.
An automotive shop put the brake fluid into my
coolant. (approx. 4 ounces from the master
cylinder)
I found black particles floating in the coolant and in
the reservoir.
The coolant also had turned a brownish-green color
as well.
Are you sure they did this? These symptoms might occur if engine oil
got into your coolant, say from a damaged head gasket. (A cracked
block would probably also allow coolant into your engine oil.)
If they did this, take your car back to them, and have them flush the
cooling system at no charge. Further, require them to warrant the
water pump and hoses for one full year, and get it in writing.
David A. Smith
|
I checked it shortly before I took it in which included taking the
radiator cap off and visually seeing the coolant.
I had also checked the brake fluid level in the master cylinder
shortly before taking the car in.
Summary
Brake fluid level and coolant are fine before taking car in.
After getting car back,
1. Brake light is now on.
2. Master cylinder is about 4 oz. low
3. Radiator coolant has black particles floating in it as well as in
the coolant reservoir. The coolant is now a brownish-green.
They did it.
Now think about the situation and what happened.
Would you take your car back to them?
Take care,
Andy |
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dlzc
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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Dear Viel Spass:
On Jul 16, 8:16 am, Viel Spass <andy77...@yahoo.com> wrote:
...
| Quote: |
I checked it shortly before I took it in which
included taking the radiator cap off and visually
seeing the coolant. I had also checked the
brake fluid level in the master cylinder
shortly before taking the car in.
Summary
Brake fluid level and coolant are fine before
taking car in.
After getting car back,
1. Brake light is now on.
2. Master cylinder is about 4 oz. low
3. Radiator coolant has black particles floating
in it as well as in the coolant reservoir. The
coolant is now a brownish-green.
They did it.
Now think about the situation and what happened.
Would you take your car back to them?
|
Yes. Along with a lawyer and a policeman if necessary. Demand
satisfaction. Learn about the local equivalent of the "Better
Business Bureau". Learn about the local equivalent of a "sheriff's
lean". Going back a third time, except as the new owner, will be out.
David A. Smith |
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Ron Jones
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:39 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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Viel Spass wrote:
| Quote: |
I am looking for some reference material that shows what happens when
brake fluid (DOT 3) is added to ethylene glycol.
An automotive shop put the brake fluid into my coolant. (approx. 4
ounces from the master cylinder)
I found black particles floating in the coolant and in the reservoir.
The coolant also had turned a brownish-green color as well.
Thanks for any help.
|
Brake fluid is a mix of polyethylene glycols constructed to give a certain
boiling point (when it boils, it don't work!) - e.g.
http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/products/msds/armorallstp/stpheavydutybrakefluiddotmsds8-04.pdf
I would guess that they would mix OK with a water/glycol mix, and they are
*probably* too polar (just like plain ethylene glycol) to affect the hoses.
But, play safe, I would do what the others have said and get then to drain,
flush and refill.
--
Ron Jones
Process Safety & Development Specialist
Don't repeat history, unreported chemical lab/plant near misses at
http://www.crhf.org.uk Only two things are certain: The universe and
human stupidity; and I'm not certain about the universe. ~ Albert
Einstein |
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Viel Spass
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 2:30 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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On Jul 16, 1:28 pm, dlzc <dl...@cox.net> wrote:
| Quote: |
Dear Viel Spass:
On Jul 16, 8:16 am, Viel Spass <andy77...@yahoo.com> wrote:
...
I checked it shortly before I took it in which
included taking the radiator cap off and visually
seeing the coolant. I had also checked the
brake fluid level in the master cylinder
shortly before taking the car in.
Summary
Brake fluid level and coolant are fine before
taking car in.
After getting car back,
1. Brake light is now on.
2. Master cylinder is about 4 oz. low
3. Radiator coolant has black particles floating
in it as well as in the coolant reservoir. The
coolant is now a brownish-green.
They did it.
Now think about the situation and what happened.
Would you take your car back to them?
Yes. Along with a lawyer and a policeman if necessary. Demand
satisfaction. Learn about the local equivalent of the "Better
Business Bureau". Learn about the local equivalent of a "sheriff's
lean". Going back a third time, except as the new owner, will be out.
David A. Smith
|
I am thankful that I caught it before it did any serious damage.
I try to look at the positive in every situation. :-)
Take care,
Andy
Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath,
for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. |
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Mark Thorson
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:34 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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Ron Jones wrote:
| Quote: |
Brake fluid is a mix of polyethylene glycols constructed to give a certain
boiling point (when it boils, it don't work!) - e.g.
http://www.thecloroxcompany.com/products/msds/armorallstp/stpheavydutybrakefluiddotmsds8-04.pdf
I would guess that they would mix OK with a water/glycol mix, and they are
*probably* too polar (just like plain ethylene glycol) to affect the hoses.
But, play safe, I would do what the others have said and get then to drain,
flush and refill.
|
Brake fluid dissolves car paint rapidly.
Don't know what it would do to hoses,
but I'd get it out of there immediately. |
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Herman Family
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:15 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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"Viel Spass" <andy77017@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:afd1d65b-0c8c-45fb-a4b5-232ae9517256@b1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
I am looking for some reference material that shows what
happens when
brake fluid (DOT 3) is added to ethylene glycol.
An automotive shop put the brake fluid into my coolant.
(approx. 4
ounces from the master cylinder)
I found black particles floating in the coolant and in the
reservoir.
The coolant also had turned a brownish-green color as
well.
Thanks for any help.
|
Go to the shop and have them flush the radiator. The brake
fluid may have ruined the anti corrosion package in the
antifreeze.
This kind of thing happens now and again. If they flush it,
and refill it with good fluid, then there is probably little
real damage. If they let it go too long, then you could end
up with a leaky coolant system.
Michael |
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Viel Spass
Guest
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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On Jul 16, 11:15 pm, "Herman Family"
<the_sawdust_place_no_undersc...@frontiernet.net> wrote:
| Quote: |
"Viel Spass" <andy77...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:afd1d65b-0c8c-45fb-a4b5-232ae9517256@b1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
I am looking for some reference material that shows what
happens when
brake fluid (DOT 3) is added to ethylene glycol.
An automotive shop put the brake fluid into my coolant.
(approx. 4
ounces from the master cylinder)
I found black particles floating in the coolant and in the
reservoir.
The coolant also had turned a brownish-green color as
well.
Thanks for any help.
Go to the shop and have them flush the radiator. The brake
fluid may have ruined the anti corrosion package in the
antifreeze.
This kind of thing happens now and again. If they flush it,
and refill it with good fluid, then there is probably little
real damage. If they let it go too long, then you could end
up with a leaky coolant system.
Michael
|
I flushed the radiator myself and prevented any permanent damage.
I took a sample of the contaminated fluid to be presented as evidence
in my upcoming case in small claims court.
Accidents do happen.
I know of a case where a shop accidentally put oil into a store
manager's radiator.
The shop was given the opportunity to pay the $35 for the materials to
repair the damage.
They refused.
Take care. |
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Ernieman
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:33 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid + radiator coolant |
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Brake fluid is a blend of low molecular weigh polyethylene glycols. These
are completely soluble in water or in coolant, which is a solution of
ethylene glycol and water. Adding 4 ounces of brake fluid to the coolant
will probably raise the boiling point of the coolant by a degree or so, but
I do not think that it will do any harm. Flush the coolant system out, and
replace it with fresh coolant, and you should be OK.
Coolants drained from my cars were greenish/brownish. New antifreeze is
usually yellowish green.
Ernie
"Viel Spass" <andy77017@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:afd1d65b-0c8c-45fb-a4b5-232ae9517256@b1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
I am looking for some reference material that shows what happens when
brake fluid (DOT 3) is added to ethylene glycol.
An automotive shop put the brake fluid into my coolant. (approx. 4
ounces from the master cylinder)
I found black particles floating in the coolant and in the reservoir.
The coolant also had turned a brownish-green color as well.
Thanks for any help. |
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