Put oil in coolant tank

palitsyn · 11-05-2017, 10:08 AM

Hi! No need to tell me I am an idiot. I knew it as soon as I'd done it

So, today I had both low coolant and low oil lights come on and decided I'd get it sorted during the Man City v Arsenal half time. Popped down to the garage, mixed some coolant with water, but thought I'll quickly get the oil done first, so that as soon as I add the coolant I can run the car with a heater on. I guess my mind was somewhere else at the time and I opened the coolant tank and just poured 1L of oil in there and as I was about to close the tank, I realised what happened. I hope the fact that I didn't run the car will mean there is hope the oil is floating on top.

I've already googled for it and it looks like I am quite a rare case of idiocy.

What do you guys think the likely result of this will be and what should the next steps be?

Needbmwpartzz · 11-05-2017, 10:34 AM

I would personally just disconnect tank and drain it out/flush it then refill with coolant and be on my way!
Your not an idiot....just temporarily stupid

Live and learn.
GL Op

autoart · 11-05-2017, 10:39 AM

If you did not run the engine, you can just drain the coolant tank and flush the tank with water.
I would think a little bit of oil after flushing the tank would be ok, but I could be wrong.
Now coolant in the oil is a lot worse.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 11-05-2017, 10:57 AM

Take the tank out (just a few bolts) and very thoroughly flush it with a degreaser like Simple Green. Oil is less buoyant than water, so it should all be at the top of the tank.

BravoJohny33 · 11-05-2017, 10:59 AM

I truly flush the coolant in one of my cars using a water hose before and coolant got every where. Id pay someone to flush a coolant system that has the proper equipment to run water through the system then catch it all.

Greyfox · 11-05-2017, 10:59 AM

I would rinse the coolant tank with a mixture of something like Dawn dish washing soap to eliminate / breakdown the oil residue and then rinse with clean water a couple of times to get rid of any soap residue.

NiNeTyOne · 11-05-2017, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greyfox

I would rinse the coolant tank with a mixture of something like Dawn dish washing soap to eliminate / breakdown the oil residue and then rinse with clean water a couple of times to get rid of any soap residue.

Dawn is probably the best degreaser you can get that won't harn seals, etc. It also removes wax on contact.

This is good advise.

gary88 · 11-05-2017, 11:39 AM

Sounds totaled

palitsyn · 11-05-2017, 05:39 PM

Thank you guys for your replies. I thought I had done enough maintenance for today

and called a mobile mechanic. He did exactly what you suggested. The oil was floating on the top, so he took the tank out, emptied it and cleaned it with some sort of degreaser before putting the coolant in. He was like a ninja. Took him 20 minutes. I just need to do the oil top up now

Welcome to NBA Jam · 11-05-2017, 05:42 PM

Don't put it in the power steering fluid

palitsyn · 11-05-2017, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Don't put it in the power steering fluid

Not to worry. I have all the caps clearly marked with pink labels now

desertman123 · 11-06-2017, 08:35 AM

If you haven't made a dumbass mistake while working on your car, you haven't truly worked on it.

Someone who definitely isn't me may or may not have cracked the plastic valve cover during removal trying to do his VCG..

MysticRob · 11-06-2017, 04:28 PM

This is one of those threads I wouldn't have created in the first place for fear the Internet Police will track me down and eliminate me to protect the gene pool.

palitsyn · 11-06-2017, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticRob

This is one of those threads I wouldn't have created in the first place for fear the Internet Police will track me down and eliminate me to protect the gene pool.

Nice one. And yet you came up with this reply

palitsyn · 11-06-2017, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palitsyn

Nice one. And yet you came up with this reply

But I was expecting more hostility, which is why I am thankful for all of the replies.

335udm · 11-07-2017, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palitsyn

Hi! <snip>

So, today I had both low coolant and low oil lights come on and decided I'd get it sorted during the Man City v Arsenal half time. Popped down to the garage, mixed some coolant with water, . . . <snip>
What do you guys think the likely result of this will be and what should the next steps be?

Manchester City 3 - Arsenal 1

. . . glad you got issue resolved, . .

11-05-2017, 10:08 AM	#1
palitsyn Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 230 Posts Drives: E90 330i SE (2006) Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Put oil in coolant tank Hi! No need to tell me I am an idiot. I knew it as soon as I'd done it So, today I had both low coolant and low oil lights come on and decided I'd get it sorted during the Man City v Arsenal half time. Popped down to the garage, mixed some coolant with water, but thought I'll quickly get the oil done first, so that as soon as I add the coolant I can run the car with a heater on. I guess my mind was somewhere else at the time and I opened the coolant tank and just poured 1L of oil in there and as I was about to close the tank, I realised what happened. I hope the fact that I didn't run the car will mean there is hope the oil is floating on top. I've already googled for it and it looks like I am quite a rare case of idiocy. What do you guys think the likely result of this will be and what should the next steps be? __________________ '06 330i (n52) SE AT
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11-05-2017, 10:34 AM	#2
Needbmwpartzz Colonel 851 Rep 2,793 Posts Drives: 2009 bmw 328i x-drive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Kitchener/Waterloo iTrader: (0)	I would personally just disconnect tank and drain it out/flush it then refill with coolant and be on my way! Your not an idiot....just temporarily stupid Live and learn. GL Op
	Appreciate 1 palitsyn48.50 Quote

11-05-2017, 10:39 AM	#3
autoart Colonel 347 Rep 2,281 Posts Drives: 2009 335i e90 M/ 22 X3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (8)	If you did not run the engine, you can just drain the coolant tank and flush the tank with water. I would think a little bit of oil after flushing the tank would be ok, but I could be wrong. Now coolant in the oil is a lot worse.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2017, 10:57 AM	#4
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Take the tank out (just a few bolts) and very thoroughly flush it with a degreaser like Simple Green. Oil is less buoyant than water, so it should all be at the top of the tank.
	Appreciate 1 palitsyn48.50 Quote

11-05-2017, 10:59 AM	#5
BravoJohny33 Major 310 Rep 1,016 Posts Drives: BMW 2010 Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	I truly flush the coolant in one of my cars using a water hose before and coolant got every where. Id pay someone to flush a coolant system that has the proper equipment to run water through the system then catch it all.
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11-05-2017, 10:59 AM	#6
Greyfox Colonel 1208 Rep 2,835 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi E91 - 330k+ (miles) Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	I would rinse the coolant tank with a mixture of something like Dawn dish washing soap to eliminate / breakdown the oil residue and then rinse with clean water a couple of times to get rid of any soap residue.
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11-05-2017, 11:39 AM	#8
gary88 Ikea enthusiast 334 Rep 8,140 Posts Drives: '07 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [7.96]	Sounds totaled __________________ garyhebdingjr.com \| flickr \| Instagram
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11-05-2017, 05:39 PM	#9
palitsyn Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 230 Posts Drives: E90 330i SE (2006) Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Thank you guys for your replies. I thought I had done enough maintenance for today and called a mobile mechanic. He did exactly what you suggested. The oil was floating on the top, so he took the tank out, emptied it and cleaned it with some sort of degreaser before putting the coolant in. He was like a ninja. Took him 20 minutes. I just need to do the oil top up now __________________ '06 330i (n52) SE AT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-05-2017, 05:42 PM	#10
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Don't put it in the power steering fluid
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11-06-2017, 08:35 AM	#12
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2214 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	If you haven't made a dumbass mistake while working on your car, you haven't truly worked on it. Someone who definitely isn't me may or may not have cracked the plastic valve cover during removal trying to do his VCG.. __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
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11-06-2017, 04:28 PM	#13
MysticRob Captain 573 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 2009 335i E90 Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Fremont, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i E90 S ... [10.00]	This is one of those threads I wouldn't have created in the first place for fear the Internet Police will track me down and eliminate me to protect the gene pool. __________________ 2008 E61 535xi Sport Wagon / 100k Miles / Deep Sea Blue Metallic / Natural Brown Interior / MHD Stage 1 91 CA-Octane Tune. SOLD - 2009 E90 335i M-Sport Sedan / 143k Miles / Alpine White Exterior / Chestnut Brown Interior / Mishimoto FMIC / xHP Stage 2.
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