If you’ve accidentally mixed different types of coolant in your vehicle, it’s important to act quickly to prevent potential issues. Mixing coolants can cause the mixture to gel, which can then clog the engine, radiator, thermostat, and heater core passages. This can lead to serious problems if not addressed.
Draining and Flushing the Coolant System
The best course of action is to drain the entire coolant system as soon as possible. This means removing the old coolant mixture and flushing the system with water a couple of times. Once the system is thoroughly cleaned, you can then refill it with a fresh 50/50 mixture of the correct coolant type for your vehicle.
Preventing Coolant Gelling
Mixing different types of coolant can cause the mixture to gel, which can lead to clogging and other issues. To prevent this, it’s crucial to drain and flush the system as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem can result in significant damage to your vehicle’s cooling system.