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Mixing green and pink coolant

Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:29 am
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:29 am
Wife's 2001 Suburban was low on coolant. I topped it off last night and put less than 1/2 gallon of green antifreeze in it. Then about 1/2 gallon of water. Will this plug up the system?

She isn't going to drive more than 20 miles today. But I think I am going to drain it tonight and refill with the pink stuff. I realized it needed the pink stuff after I started pouring the green in.
Posted by greasemonkey
Macclenny Fl aka south JAWJA
Member since Aug 2012
2815 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:31 am to
They have an antifreeze now that will mix with all of them..

I've seen quite a few get mixed and haven't seen a problem doesn't mean it won't cause 1 later on so I would change and put universal in it
Posted by El Josey Wales
Greater Geismar
Member since Nov 2007
22710 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:32 am to
I have no idea about your suburban but my truck flashed the "low coolant" message on Friday. I bought a jug to add some. The damn thing held a whole gallon.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
45142 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:32 am to
The pink is for GM vehicles. You sir, have fricked up royally.



Actually I have no idea if it matters, but the pink is for GM.
Posted by greasemonkey
Macclenny Fl aka south JAWJA
Member since Aug 2012
2815 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:34 am to
Some Chevy's lose coolant..

Chevrolet sent out a TSB saying if it uses less than a gallon in 6 months nothings wrong..
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:35 am to
quote:

I've seen quite a few get mixed and haven't seen a problem doesn't mean it won't cause 1 later on

I read mixed results of it plugging the system or working fine. I'll drain and refill tonight
Posted by El Josey Wales
Greater Geismar
Member since Nov 2007
22710 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:38 am to
That's the first time I have ever seen that message and I immediately heeded the warning. I was just surprised it held the whole gallon in that reservoir.
Posted by greasemonkey
Macclenny Fl aka south JAWJA
Member since Aug 2012
2815 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:40 am to
I would probably go get somebody to pressure check it just to make sure I didn't have a leak..
But it's probably the common Chevy's just lose water somewhere haha..
seems like some do it some don't
Posted by El Josey Wales
Greater Geismar
Member since Nov 2007
22710 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:48 am to
It's due for an oil change and maybe they always top it off. I've never done it.
Posted by greasemonkey
Macclenny Fl aka south JAWJA
Member since Aug 2012
2815 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 7:55 am to
Some vehicles don't do it right off the bat..
Some never use coolant
Posted by El Josey Wales
Greater Geismar
Member since Nov 2007
22710 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 8:00 am to
Mine is a 2008 Duramax with 146,000. This is the first time I've seen that message. At least my warning sensor works.
Posted by greasemonkey
Macclenny Fl aka south JAWJA
Member since Aug 2012
2815 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 8:14 am to
Never heard of the coolant usage issue on a diesel..

only the gas engines so you're probably good to go..

I would just keep my eye on it for the next few days and see if it loses any more..
Probably just normal losses
over the life..
I have changed a couple water pumps leaking on the Duramax though.. have a shop pressure test just for peace of mind..
We dont charge just a pressure test
Posted by El Josey Wales
Greater Geismar
Member since Nov 2007
22710 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 8:16 am to
Posted by Motorboat
At the camp
Member since Oct 2007
24205 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 8:22 am to
I'm kinda of concerned with this issue too. I use the Toyota red coolant and I've heard mixing the green with it causes bad things to happen. Well, the oil change shop topped off my reservoir and I'm not sure if they used green or red. I've been worried about it ever since.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 8:25 am to
They are both water soluble so I would think they could mix. I also read the pink GM used was for the metals and aluminum in the system. The green will corrode it.

Not really sure if that is correct or not.
Posted by Motorboat
At the camp
Member since Oct 2007
24205 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 9:04 am to
Interesting read: LINK
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 9:12 am to
quote:

mixing Red and Green is reported to result in a bad case of sludge

Well she made it 10 miles today with no troubles.
Posted by Nodust
Member since Aug 2010
22804 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 9:16 am to
This is from the Prestone website

quote:

Topping off with conventional silicated antifreeze/coolant in a system protected with Extended Life antifreeze/coolant is not recommended. Topping off with a small amount (less than 15% of total cooling system capacity) of conventional antifreeze/coolant will not upset the ability of the Extended Life antifreeze/coolant to protect the cooling system. Continued topping off with conventional silicated coolant will over time dilute the Extended Life antifreeze/coolant enough for it to become a silicated formulation. Heavy Duty cooling systems should be routinely checked for antifreeze/coolant leaks at regular service intervals. Any worn or leaking components should be repaired or replaced.


Says nothing about sludging. I'm emailing them. I'll keep you posted.
Posted by Judge Smails
Native Son of NELA
Member since Mar 2008
5571 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 9:19 am to
Short of the "stealership" where would a man go to get his hands on the pink stuff? I don't believe I've ever seen it on the shelves of a regular parts house?
Posted by Langston
Member since Nov 2010
7685 posts
Posted on 3/26/13 at 9:20 am to
Glad I read this thread. I didnt know they required certain colors, just assumed that was different brands of coolant. I just poor in whatever but the only ones I have to add to are some of our older work trucks so theyre prob fine.
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