Toyota filled my coolant overflow with washer fluid
 

I just got my 7500 mile free service, and once done I noticed that my coolant overflow tank was way overfilled (like when warm it was within 1/2 cm of the cap). I check my fluids every week, so I was very aware that my coolant level was exactly at the "MAX" line when hot and 2" below that when cold, before servicing. So, pissed off, I looked at the service record and saw that the washer fluid had been filled, but there was no mention of the coolant being touched. I had a bottle of Toyota's spec FR-S coolant at home so once I got back to my garage I compared it to the stuff in my reservoir.

Turns out that on Toyota's the washer fluid reservoir is located where our coolant reservoir is. Also Toyota coolant is red, whereas ours is blue. So some jackass tech noticed that my "washer fluid" was low and topped it off, without looking at the obvious fucking label on the cap.

I took it back and had them drain the reservoir, fill it with new coolant, drain it again, and then refill with the proper amount of the proper fluid. I'm just glad I noticed it quickly and the few hours it was in my overflow tank was not enough to contaminate the coolant in the system.

**edit I went back and insisted they do a full coolant flush and refill**

Anyway, be careful guys. ALWAYS check that work had been done on your car properly. I for one, will be doing all of my own work going forward.

Holy crap, are you serious? I'd absolutely flip out if that would have happened to me. They didn't do anything other than just fix it? I would be demanding a lot more than just fixing the problem.

Thats crazy...but also doesn't really surprise me. I too would be demanding something other than just fixing the problem

you take the time to weekly check on your fluids but let people who dont give a darn about your car work on it ?

I'm back now, getting the system flushed for peace of mind. What kind of stuff would you expect to receive, more free service? Well fuck that.

Free service, figured an oil change would be simple enough. Now I'll be doing everything myself.

In store credit to be used on parts. I had an issue at a dodge dealer and they sent me a 500.00 prepaid visa card.

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I would have insisted they tow it back in or perform the flush and refill where the car is. Or they will hear from my lawyer. I'd demand compensation now or you can contact the local newspaper consumer advocate.

I'm shocked the car didn't overheat.

Just in the overflow, not the whole system. Coolant temp did not go beyond 94C. I log oil and coolant temps whenever I drive.

My coolant expands from halfway between full and low, to right on the full mark when just driving 30miles to work on a highway cruising 75mph in 40 degree f weather.


What im saying is, if i put anything but coolant in my overflow it would contaminate my entire system just going 30miles down the highway.

Also theres a reason my car has never seen the dealer since i drve it off the lot, dont care about any free maintenance crap they offer, trust nobody but myself.

Which dealer? I'm in Portland too. I never take my car to dealers.. just wondering.

aw dude that sucks i bet the tech felt pretty bad...i know i would. i hope the car is ok now though.

Car is fine, insisted they do a complete system flush.

That tech must seriously feel bad. I mean, he thought he was doing the right thing, being proactive and helping an owner out by refilling it. Its just unfortunate he mistook the coolant reservoir. Sounds like they did everything they could to make you feel right about it.

Does anyone know EXACTLY what happens when antifreeze mixes with washer fluid?

Ill give you a hint... nothing. The alcohol will evaporate leaving additional water in the coolant. All that does is ever so slightly increase the temperature that the mix will freeze at. does not decrease the effectiveness of the coolant unless youre somewhere VERY cold.

Most washer fluid will be like 5-25% methanol. With the rest distilled water. Coolant is about half ethylene glycol and the rest water. There are not any very serious reactions between the components. I would be most worried about the reactions between the aluminum and methanol. But concentrations are low and there likely wont be any problem after flushing the system out.

All my cars go to the dealer for service but I don't just hand over the car. I go with a list of all the things I DON'T want them to touch - no battery test, no changing tire pressures, no washing the car, no adding fluids without asking first, etc.

Next on my list is what I want done; for instance on my FR-S - "change engine oil and filter. Remove old oil plug crush washer and replace with new one. Use Toyota Full Synthetic 0W-20 and ensure to fill with proper amount".

After going over my list with the service advisor I hand him the keys and go sit in the car. That way I get to meet the tech when he comes out to be sure he understands. I also mention that I am going to check everything before I leave.

I do all this in a very nice, pleasant way and explain that I'm not trying to be an asshole, just that I'm very anal about my cars. Since I started using this proactive method about 15 years ago (after a serious screw-up at a dealership - they 'forgot' to add the new oil) I've never had a problem and now I've actually gotten to know the techs that work on my cars. We often spend a few minutes afterwards discussing automotive stuff.

Sure makes for a more enjoyable and dependable service visit all the way around.

+1, @Clembo
I don't plan on taking in to dealership for any servicing except fixing the car (ie. chirp when they actually have a definitive fix in the future), but my parents always take their Venza to the stealership for servicing, and after they are done they complain about the 'extra' work they've done (mainly inspections and simple work) and gets billed on top of a simple oil change. I understand if it's around like every 30,000KM~ to do the standard inspection of most things, but not every time an oil change needs to happen.

Yikes! Good catch. It's defintrely a good idea to look over your vehicle after having someone else working on it. I too have found problems after another mechanic has worked on my car.

That is why i ALWAYS do my best to do my own work. Even if the work is warranty I'll usually try to handle it myself if it's a relatively inexpensive job

I have the worst luck of bringing my car to a shop and it coming out scratched, curbed wheels, bolts not torqued correctly, even stuff missing.

Why i cringe even thinking about taking my car to the dealer. For the free oil changes i got from my dealer, i just went in and explained i wanted to do it myself. They gave me the filters and the oil!

I need to get in to get my headlight bezels replaced under warranty, but am not looking forward to leaving my car there. I tried to get the bexels myself, but they said if i want to do it, they have to charge me, but if they do it, its free! haha...stupid warranty work.

same here. usually everything is done by me.

Wow!

I would be looking for a new dealership immediately! That's a pretty big mistake, glad you didn't have a major disaster on your hands

Nick C.

This is why nobody touches my cars except for the smog tech.

At least the soap should help reduce the surface tension of your coolant. I'm frankly surprised the tech even went to the trouble of adding any fluids at all. Usually they just leave them alone (and say they did something) or run the car dry.

My goodness that is horrible.

I hope you had the chance to drain it and run some MoCool or coolant.

Another thread to worry me about dealership maintenance

For all of you who are scared shitless to bring your cars to a toyota dealership and get fucked up, I work for Hayward Toyota in California and also a owner of a frs, would like to tell you I treat every frs in my sight as if it were mine and if u bring your cars to Hayward ill promise ill treat your frs even better then mine. Just ask for Eric to work on your car :D

Small problem. Simple drain and fill will fix. Methanol is a pretty good coolant, but long term corrosion would be an issue.

But, for the casual owner, who never looks, this could be a big problem. Subaru coolant and the coolant systems are pretty well designed, but their maintenance tends to be a little unique. I guess letting one into a Toyota dealership is the first problem.

Shawn



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Warranty

Thank God, I'm sure he was dying for the answer to that rhetorical ever since he posed it three years ago

Damned if you do, damned if you dont

I didnt think he ever got the answer. And the comment was so stupid i couldnt help myself

That is the whole idea behind a rhetorical question an answer is not being sought. His was more sarcasm than stupid.

But i think he was very serious with his stupid question.

No, that was dripping!
Do you need a sign?
http://66.media.tumblr.com/1b6a70d4a...9fxho1_500.gif

BLOW UP THE DEALERSHIP THEN SUE THEM!!!

Now dude we talked about this!


Other way around.

Nope!

http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/...72/069/451.jpg