dropped my engine coolant cap

SouthArk370Z

That's the engine coolant (antifreeze) overflow bottle. If you haven't run the engine since adding the washer fluid, you should be OK just draining and rinsing the bottle.
I'm not sure how the factory coolant will react with whatever in in the washer fluid (alcohol?), but I wouldn't take a chance. If you have run the engine since adding the washer fluid, I'd drain/flush the whole system. Hopefully someone will tell you that they are compatible.

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jakexlee

yes im sure it is... hahahah

thanks for the response. ive been driving since for about 4 days. . . damn i should've known... my engine coolant (antifreeze) was pretty much empty, do i need to refill this soon as well? anyways more responses would be appreciated! I lost the cap for the engine coolant then... is the cap required? or can i still run it without.

JARblue

Yikes! I would have the coolant system flushed asap. That is the engine coolant overflow reservoir cap. Ask wherever you take if they can replace it for you or find the one you dropped down in the engine bay.

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jakexlee

thanks. i dont know how to flush it but should i just go to a local gas station mechanic? or autoshop? damn... this sucks.

DEpointfive0

Get Nissan's fluid and go to another mechanic, or have Nissan do it... Don't drive much, or hard with that crap in your engine

Ask to have them run your car with water as well before they do the final fill

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SouthArk370Z

The bottle is vented to atmosphere so lack of a cap won't affect operation, but you're likely to slosh antifreeze into the engine compartment - messy stuff.

I'd ask an expert (or two or three) about how the washer fluid will affect the coolant before driving very much.

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JARblue

If you're concerned about sloshing, use some foil and wire to cap off the reservoir Similar to plastic wrap and a rubber band, but I would use materials that can handle the heat being in the engine bay.

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jakexlee

alright. well i put less about half of the washer fluid bottle/gallon idk in the engine coolant.... i filled the white reservoir tank about halfway i guess and i checked recently its about gone. i guess ill go check the nissan dealership. im afraid they'll charge me a shitload..

JARblue

That's concerning that the fluid level has already dropped such a significant amount in a just a few days. Just guessing, it will probably cost several hundred dollars at a dealership, but I would recommend you do it immediately for precautionary sake. I can't imagine it would be too terrible for the car, but I'm sure it's compromised the coolant in some manner.

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