What happens if you mix coolants?
Mixing different engine coolants or using the wrong coolant can impair the performance of the special additive packages; this can result in increased corrosion to the radiator.
Can you mix two different red coolants?
Do not mix any other color with the red coolant (the supposed lifetime crap), if you do the mix will turn into a gel and you’ll have one hell of a mess to deal with.
What coolant colors can be mixed?
When the two mix, they create a gel that gums up your cooling system, causing engine overheating and expensive damage. But orange-and-green is the only coolant combination you need to stay clear of, CarBibles reports.
Why are coolants different colors?
“In days gone by, the colour of coolant was determined by the type of chemicals used to prevent corrosion — meaning you could tell a lot about the type of coolant used by its colour. “Older coolants that used Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) were usually blue or green in colour.
What kind of coolant is pink?
The Colors of Coolant
TYPE | INHIBITOR TECHNOLOGY | COLOR |
---|---|---|
HOAT (Hybrid OAT) | Silicates & Organic Acids | YELLOW |
HOAT (Hybrid OAT, Phosphate-free) | NAP Free | TURQUOISE |
P-HOAT (Phosphated HOAT) | Phosphates & Organic Acids | PINK / BLUE |
Si-OAT (Silicated HOAT) | Silicates & Organic Acids | PURPLE |
Can I use different color coolants?
The Colors of Coolant Each color is a unique formula that should not be mixed. Reminder, you can often find the recommended type of coolant in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
What happens if you mix coolant?
When mixed together they can form a thick, jelly-like substance that can completely stop all coolant flow which can lead to overheating. As the coolant stops flowing, other problems can occur as well such as happens with radiators, water jackets, and even heater cores.
Can you mix coolant types?
Technically, you can mix coolant types, but before you go ahead and do it, let’s cover some things. Firstly, Dex-Cool and traditional anti-freeze don’t mix well. Though they can work together in a pinch, after extended use, they can react and create a gel, which can be very damaging to multiple components of your cooling system.
What happens when you mix engine coolant?
Engine coolant mixing with engine oil is a sign of an internal gasket or engine failure. When the coolant mixes with the oil, it robs the oil of its lubricating properties and can destroy an engine rather quickly. In the event coolant is suspected of mixing with the engine oil, the engine should be shut off…
Can you mix different colors of coolant?
You can mix two different colors of the same kind of coolant without any problem whatsoever. But if you mix a significant amount of one type in with the other type, you’re weakening your corrosion inhibitors (it happened to my brother, and look at the condition he’s in now).