To ask for help from any mechanics / people who know about cars

[HRHcatgirl1976]

DH has just put concentrated coolant in the car radiator thinking it was pre diluted.

What do we do! Help!

Can you not just drain it out ?

I think it holds about 4 lt of fluid

I dont know :( I know zip about cars - as does DH (not that he would admit to that)

He is looking under the bonnet in a manly fashion but he's no mechanic

Ok at there are two pipe thingys into radiator one at top one at bottom unscrew cap put large container under car and untie/unscrew bottom pipe leave fluid drain out [ bottle and dispose] re tie/screw pipe and fill again
www.ehow.com/video_4936016_drain-radiator-coolant.html

Good luck

It probably doesn't matter.

I am assuming it was a pint or two top-up. That will just make the mixture a bit more concentrated. If you look at the bottle it will probably say something like "20% concentration protects down to -10 degreees; 25% concentration protects down to -20C, 35% concentration protects down to -30C"

Provided the amount of antifreeze does not exceed the maximum concentration the makers recommend, it doesn't matter.

Unless there is a radiator or hose leak, it will only be a top-up. If he has drained all the coolant and filled it up with neat concrentarte, then yes, he will have to drain some out and use water to dilute what's left.

suck some out with a straw then add water

That is true Piglet I just assumed he is like my DP and drains and cleans the radiator every time so the radiator would be empty

Thanks all

Turns out we don't need to worry about draining it as it is pouring out as fast as we can fill it :(

Green Flag on the way, DH muttering darkly about how much this will cost

Does it sound expensive

Am hoping maybe just a little hose has gone or something

p.s. nymets

doubtless a joke, but don't ever suck antifreeze with a straw, it is poisonous. And any that you spill, wash away with later as cats will lick it up.

wash away with water

Oh - thanks for the tip about the cats - I have 3 :(

Needs a new radiator :(

Meant to be driving it to Devon on holiday on Friday

Needs a new radiator

Not a huge job I don't think, catgirl.

I once had a new radiator fitted in a VW Golf a few years ago. I think the part cost about £70 and the fitting was less than £100, but I can't remember exactly.

Hope you get it sorted quickly.

Oh that doesnt sound too bad!

Thanks Shelly :)

I suppose it depends on what car it is though, catgirl.

If it's something fancy I imagine it would be more?

Had the quote from the garage ......just shy of £400. Is not fancy, just a 3 series BMW :(

And they think they will be able to do it tomorrow. Which would be nice as we are driving it to Devon in the afternoon. In theory.

Am cheering myself up by thinking that at least it happened before we went and not on they way

Thank you everyone for the help and advice