Pontiac - Street No question too basic here!

          
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-22-2023, 07:06 PM
yellow1098's Avatar
yellow1098 yellow1098 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 217
Default Flushing just the radiator in the car help….this was a silly mistake

So this is a good one for you guys….soooo I Accidentally put oil in the radiator…i know I know…dumb mistake….in my defense it was in an old coolant bottle…..it was literally like a 3 second pour and I saw it…..I haven’t started the car so it shouldn’t get into the engine or hoses or water pump…..can I just disconnect the upper and lower hoses and drain the radiator? Flush with a garden hoses really well and fill it back up? What would you guys do in this circumstance thanks

  #2  
Old 01-22-2023, 07:10 PM
Scarebird's Avatar
Scarebird Scarebird is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ABQ, USA
Posts: 4,998
Default

Same as you propose - oil will stay high so should not be an issue.

Maybe run a detergent thru it?

The Following User Says Thank You to Scarebird For This Useful Post:
  #3  
Old 01-22-2023, 07:13 PM
tom s tom s is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: long beach ca usa
Posts: 18,764
Default

When I flush them I disconnect the top hose at the radiator take out the thermostat and reattach the housing.I put a garden hose with a rag wrapped around it,put in the top hose with a hose clamp to get a tight seal and turn the water and back flush it so it comes out of the top of the radiator.Tom

  #4  
Old 01-22-2023, 07:15 PM
Sirrotica's Avatar
Sirrotica Sirrotica is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Catawba Ohio
Posts: 7,195
Default

It's not as uncommon as you think, over my years working on cars I've seen it done accidently, (mistaken contents in a jug), and intentionally when someone didn't know where the oil was supposed to go into the engine.

Your proposal to get it out will work fine.

__________________
Brad Yost
1973 T/A (SOLD)
2005 GTO
1984 Grand Prix

100% Pontiacs in my driveway!!! What's in your driveway?

If you don't take some of the RACETRACK home with you, Ya got cheated

  #5  
Old 01-22-2023, 08:06 PM
TedRamAirII TedRamAirII is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Ocala, Florida
Posts: 2,755
Default

Pull the heater heater hose off the water pump, hook up your garden hose and pump water in, it will push the oil out the top of the radiator.

__________________
1968 Firebird 400 RAII M21, 3.31 12 bolt, Mayfair Maize.
1977 Trans Am W72 400, TH350, 3.23 T Top

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't.
Bill Nye.
  #6  
Old 01-22-2023, 08:29 PM
Half-Inch Stud's Avatar
Half-Inch Stud Half-Inch Stud is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: BlueBell, PA or AL U.S.A.
Posts: 18,458
Default

Maybe vacuum from the fill cap, or drain the darn thing from the Lower hose. I'd vacuum the fill zone.

Red spray can is used to "label" such reuse in my garage.

  #7  
Old 01-22-2023, 09:35 PM
Stuart's Avatar
Stuart Stuart is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,938
Default

Maybe use a little Dawn dish soap, to help clean out the oil.

The Following User Says Thank You to Stuart For This Useful Post:
  #8  
Old 01-22-2023, 09:50 PM
77 TRASHCAN's Avatar
77 TRASHCAN 77 TRASHCAN is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 31May2013 Temporary home to the world's widest (that we know of) tornado. Lord, NO more Please...
Posts: 6,591
Default

Get hot water into the cleaning mix, if possible. Helps some.

__________________
1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A.
I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977.

Shut it off
Shut it off
Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
The Following User Says Thank You to 77 TRASHCAN For This Useful Post:
  #9  
Old 01-22-2023, 10:30 PM
Schurkey Schurkey is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: The Seasonally Frozen Wastelands
Posts: 5,891
Default

Be sure to check the upper radiator hose, and the heater return hose if it connects to the radiator.

The oil may float on top of the coolant...but it could back-up into both hoses depending on how the hoses are routed.

The Bus Company learned their lesson about re-purposing old containers for new contents. All that stuff has to be re-labeled so even a monkey could tell what was in the bottle.

  #10  
Old 01-22-2023, 10:37 PM
Vroom_vroom's Avatar
Vroom_vroom Vroom_vroom is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 89
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN View Post
Get hot water into the cleaning mix, if possible. Helps some.

Garden hose on the hot water heater?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

__________________
77 T/A- poncho 400| T-10|3.23| I beams|Hyper flat top pistons|Kre heads|Scorpion rockers|Xr276 hydro roller|Rpm intake|Smi qjet|Subframe connectors|Rancho sways|Mcleod super street|hydro clutch|More i cant remember
The Following User Says Thank You to Vroom_vroom For This Useful Post:
  #11  
Old 01-22-2023, 11:29 PM
Scarebird's Avatar
Scarebird Scarebird is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ABQ, USA
Posts: 4,998
Default

How much would a little oil hurt the cooling system?

I am thinking nothing.

The Following User Says Thank You to Scarebird For This Useful Post:
  #12  
Old 01-22-2023, 11:55 PM
Bill Hanlon's Avatar
Bill Hanlon Bill Hanlon is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 2,349
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
Maybe use a little Dawn dish soap, to help clean out the oil.
Works on ducks.

__________________
My Pontiac is a '57 GMC with its original 347" Pontiac V8 and dual-range Hydra-Matic.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bill Hanlon For This Useful Post:
  #13  
Old 01-23-2023, 11:25 AM
pfilean's Avatar
pfilean pfilean is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Posts: 1,932
Default

At least you are man enough to admit who made the mistake. I'm with Scarbird on amount of harm but I would do what you were thinking about with a little detergent.

  #14  
Old 01-23-2023, 11:42 AM
JSchmitz's Avatar
JSchmitz JSchmitz is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Union, MO
Posts: 2,131
Default

I wouldn't use Dawn as it will produce foam. I'd use some Cascade instead. It will clean the oil and a lot more! A little oil won't hurt anything though. Anyone remember water pump lubricant? Lol! Do they still make it?

  #15  
Old 01-23-2023, 05:15 PM
turbo69bird's Avatar
turbo69bird turbo69bird is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,421
Default

Yup I agree shouldn’t be much of an issue if a little gets left behind in there .I dint see a huge downside .

__________________
Happiness is just a turbocharger away!
960 HP @ 11 psi, 9.70 at 146.
Iron heads, iron stock 2 bolt block , stock crank, 9 years haven't even changed a spark plug!
selling turbos and turbo related parts since 2005!
  #16  
Old 01-23-2023, 09:51 PM
4dblnkldude's Avatar
4dblnkldude 4dblnkldude is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: levittown
Posts: 1,856
Default

Get a turkey baster and suck it right off the top. A 3 second pour... 3-4 ounces maybe?

__________________
" Is wearing a helmet illegal" Mike Kerr 1-29-09
The Following User Says Thank You to 4dblnkldude For This Useful Post:
  #17  
Old 01-24-2023, 01:00 AM
yellow1098's Avatar
yellow1098 yellow1098 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 217
Default

Well I drained it from disconnecting the lower hose and disconnected the top hose as well……I ran water through it with a couple spray bottles of watered down cascade shot into filler neck and upper opening…..then I ran water from the garden hose for about 20 mins back and forth from the upper and lower till it was clear water coming out

I filled it up and put the burping funnel on as usual and it still did have a tiny bit of oil burp back up which I dumped it seems to just burp out coolant only now and the temps look great

Good to hear the smallest tiny bit of oil left in there won’t hurt anything

The Following User Says Thank You to yellow1098 For This Useful Post:
  #18  
Old 01-25-2023, 12:00 AM
yellow1098's Avatar
yellow1098 yellow1098 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 217
Default

I did use water wetter when I refilled it fyi haha

  #19  
Old 01-25-2023, 09:06 AM
grivera's Avatar
grivera grivera is online now
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Just south of Baltimore
Posts: 4,891
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow1098 View Post
I did use water wetter when I refilled it fyi haha
Is the base coolant 50/50 or straight water?

__________________
Will Rivera

'69 Firebird 400/461, 290+ E D-Ports, HR 230/236, 4l80E, 8.5 Rear, 3.55 gears
'64 LeMans 400/461, #16 Heads, HR 230/236, TKO600, 9inch Rear, 3.89 gears
'69 LeMans Vert, 350, #47 heads: Non-running project
  #20  
Old 01-25-2023, 11:31 AM
yellow1098's Avatar
yellow1098 yellow1098 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Orlando
Posts: 217
Default

The base is 50/50……drove the car for about 40 mins in 5 o’clock traffic yesterday and the temps got to about 195 and held there in 80 degree weather

Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:47 AM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017