I put anti-freeze in my oil tank!

[davekileen]

When you've finished laughing and I've blushed cronically, please could someone advise me. In my defence (if that's possible), any car that I have ever owned, you open the bonnet / hood and the first long tank, closest to you, running left to right, is the radiator.

In my little classic mini mayfair it happens to be the oil tank, it was raining, howling, freezing, I just wanted to get anti-freeze in so that I could get going, plus the fact that my partner always fiddles in the engine - and that I had never opened the hood before that day (about a week ago) and had never seen the engine, I took the oil tank to be the radiator, poured about 250ml anti-freeze in and went on my merry way.

Now, the car did need a major service and wasn't going too well as it was, but it has deteriorated drastically. It is ok once it is going, but from stationary to pull off a granny on crutches could beat me to the other side of the intersection, on the plus side, the car no longer overheats (in fact doesn't seem to heat up much at all) and the fact that it's automatic doesn't help during pull-off (not even if I put it in to 1st gear). This morning it cut out about 5 times (every time I stopped), seems the idling is very low, plus it's making the strangest noises like it's possessed, it hops and bops, crackles and the RPM needle bounces up and down between 1 and 4 like it's being driven through the Bermuda Triangle or a magnetic field - please help!

I thought seeing that oil floats I would work the anti-freeze out by driving the car and then the oil that I added would settle and continue as normal? Plus the car seems to be misfiring in the intial RPM stage.

What do I do? (too embarassed to go to a garage and explain what I've done

ps: Outside cars my IQ is pretty good LOL!

[Schister66]

well just drain it out...don't run the engine.

Drain the oil and replace it, then put new antifreeze in the cooling system. It is the same problem as if you blew the headgasket so you're not going to wreck a lot if you fix it soon.

I can't say it enought tho, drain the oil all out ASAP and don't run the engine if at all possible....then replace the oil. If there are any odd noises or anything, make sure to let us know!

[Moppie]

Oh dear.

The little A series is one really touch little engine, but I don't think it could survive being run with that much antifreeze in the engine.

It sounds like you have run more than a few bearings, and if you keep driving it will eventualy seize the engine completely, making it nothing more than junk.

At the moment you might be able to save it, but it will require some proffesinal attention. Basicly a complete engine rebuild.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by Moppie

Oh dear.

The little A series is one really touch little engine, but I don't think it could survive being run with that much antifreeze in the engine.

It sounds like you have run more than a few bearings, and if you keep driving it will eventualy seize the engine completely, making it nothing more than junk.

At the moment you might be able to save it, but it will require some proffesinal attention. Basicly a complete engine rebuild.

First of all, don't feel bad. My aunt did exactly the same thing with her classic Triumph Herald.

I agree with the above post, but it's a worst possible scenario. Do not start counting on the expense engine rebuild just yet.

It sounds as if you might have some electrical and/or ignition problems that are likely un-related to the anti-freeze boo boo. Only 250ml of anti freeze in the engine oil will require an immediate oil change to repair, but likely will not cause significant engine damage. However, the greater the amount of anti-freeze, the greater the chance for damage.

Have a professional change the oil and review the cause of the poor engine performance. If you are lucky, an engine rebuild will not be required.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by MagicRat

It sounds as if you might have some electrical and/or ignition problems that are likely un-related to the anti-freeze boo boo.

A very good point.

I used to have an A series power car, and have worked on several, they are VERY touchy about thier ignition. The smallest fault will produce miss fire under load, especialy at low RPM.

[JLad10687]

Oil Change