Truck driven with Washer fluid in coolant.

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redvetram

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So I just found out a friend who borrowed my truck last week had poured 1/2 gallon of washer fluid in my coolant reservoir, thinking it was the washer fluid tank. I did not find this out until I had already driven it 350 miles on a road trip this weekend. I’m taking it to be drained and flushed this week, but wondered just how F***ed my truck might be. 2019 1500 Classic w/30,000 miles.
 

GRKN

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It’ll be fine, just remember if flushing yourself, it’s not as simple as drain and fill as you can only easily drain around half of the coolant. Sounds like your going to have a shop do it though
 
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redvetram

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It’ll be fine, just remember if flushing yourself, it’s not as simple as drain and fill as you can only easily drain around half of the coolant. Sounds like your going to have a shop do it though
Yes, taking it to a shop. It’s still full blown winter here. Dumping snow and highs in the 30’s. Not exactly what I want to be doing myself right now.
 

Jeepwalker

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It's not going to cause any problems. It's entirely possible no washer fluid was drawn into the cooling system.

2014.... sounds like a nice pickup. But a coolant exchange is due (or overdue) anyway. ..Unless you've done it recently. Coolant pH can change as coolant ages, and certain environment reasons. And b/c there are mixed metals in the system (aluminum/iron/brass), with different 'happy zones', the pH 'sweet-spot' is actually quite narrow (~8.5 to be more precise). The further away you get from that either the iron or the aluminum want to exchange electrons. And guess how good the paper-thin passages in your trucks heater core or radiator are as an anode?? :D But inhibitors in the coolant help extend that range out & help prevent ionization. That's the goal anyway. To a certain point. Then at some point you need to put in new fluid. In your truck's case, with the V6 you probably don't have much iron, mostly aluminum. Aluminum likes it under 8.5 pH. In some ways it's easier than guys with 5.7's..

Stupid mistake, but your buddy's giving you an excuse to do something that needed to be done anyway. Make sure they use distilled water or pre-mix. Best to use the Mopar fluid IMO. Then you (and any other service dept) always know what's supposed to go in your tk's cooling system.

.
 
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GRKN

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A half gallon is a lot. Don't you wonder why the coolant was down a half gallon?
Assuming it was added to the overflow reservoir, that’s not concerning, it doesn’t need to be full. I only keep mine a little over half way full
 

Dean2

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Windshield washer fluid is water, with methanol and sometimes a bit of glycol. Even if it got pulled into the full system it will hurt absolutely nothing in the short period it has been in there. It isn't real compatible with the Mopar long life coolant, but as long as you have the system drained, flushed and refilled it will be perfectly fine. Was time to do it anyhow. If you have the standard green glycol the washer fluid is pretty much compatible..
 
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redvetram

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It's not going to cause any problems. It's entirely possible no washer fluid was drawn into the cooling system.

2014.... sounds like a nice pickup. But a coolant exchange is due (or overdue) anyway. ..Unless you've done it recently. Coolant pH can change as coolant ages, and certain environment reasons. And b/c there are mixed metals in the system (aluminum/iron/brass), with different 'happy zones', the pH 'sweet-spot' is actually quite narrow (~8.5 to be more precise). The further away you get from that either the iron or the aluminum want to exchange electrons. And guess how good the paper-thin passages in your trucks heater core or radiator are as an anode?? :D But inhibitors in the coolant help extend that range out & help prevent ionization. That's the goal anyway. To a certain point. Then at some point you need to put in new fluid. In your truck's case, with the V6 you probably don't have much iron, mostly aluminum. Aluminum likes it under 8.5 pH. In some ways it's easier than guys with 5.7's..

Stupid mistake, but your buddy's giving you an excuse to do something that needed to be done anyway. Make sure they use distilled water or pre-mix. Best to use the Mopar fluid IMO. Then you (and any other service dept) always know what's supposed to go in your tk's cooling system.

.
It’s actually a 2019 with 30,000 miles
 

BuschLatte420

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Absolutely hate how they damn near look the same, I pray if the trucks at the dealer and they ever wanna do a friendly top off of washer fluid they don’t **** that up! Also hate the black reservoirs.
 

truck2014

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Absolutely hate how they damn near look the same, I pray if the trucks at the dealer and they ever wanna do a friendly top off of washer fluid they don’t **** that up! Also hate the black reservoirs.

We all should pray ,took my 2014 in for the drag link recall ,and they changed my oil instead . How about that for a dealer screw up , plus the fact I had just changed it about 10 days before . :oops:
 

DreamWeaver

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What is in washer fluid that you all are concerned about? Enlighten me.

Topping off with a half gallon of concentrated antifreeze should zero out what your friend did. If anything you'll **** some out the reservoir overflow when it's hot until the truck's back to optimal overflow level.
 
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