Accidentally poured used coolant into oil!

524 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by MotoMike, 2 mo ago

nick.e

Discussion Starter · 8 mo ago

Saw my oil level looked low, and I went for the nearest oil bottle. Unfortunately, I didn't remember that I had used that bottle for draining old coolant. I poured around half a cup of old coolant into the oil before I realized what I'd done. I didn't run the bike after.

I bought a couple new bottles of oil today, but do I also need to change the filter? I was going to drain out the old oil, then pour the remains of an older bottle of actual oil through it. Then fill it back up with the new oil.

Should I also replace the filter? Should I run the bike to warm up the oil before draining it, even though there is coolant in there that I wouldn't want being spread around the engine?

Big oof here,
Thanks.

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airhead83

· #2 · 8 mo ago

I would not start the engine. I would not change the oil filter. Remove the oil drain plug and leave it open for a good while so the cold fluids have time to completely drain. I wouldn't expect any further problems.

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nick.e

Discussion Starter · #3 · 8 mo ago

airhead83 said:
I would not start the engine. I would not change the oil filter. Remove the oil drain plug and leave it open for a good while so the cold fluids have time to completely drain. I wouldn't expect any further problems.

Do you think the oil I poured in made it to the filter? Or does oil only get pulled through the filter when the engine runs?
Thanks

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kiwi rider

· #4 · 8 mo ago

nick.e said:
Do you think the oil I poured in made it to the filter? Or does oil only get pulled through the filter when the engine runs?
Thanks

Water always goes to the bottom when mixed with oil because its more dense in structure so it should be sitting in the bottom of your sump ready to come out when you pull the bung. If you haven't started the engine and started pumping the oil around then you should be fine as Airhead said, but for the sake of a 10 buck filter personally I would change it out.

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airhead83

· #5 · 8 mo ago

nick.e said:
Do you think the oil I poured in made it to the filter? Or does oil only get pulled through the filter when the engine runs?
Thanks

What Kiwi Rider said... I never argue with his expertise and wisdom.

I don't believe the filter is contaminated yet... but like Kiwi said, for a few extra dollars, you'd have peace of mind if you know everything has been done to correct the misstep.

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MotoMike

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Cheap insurance to change the filter. Just make sure you always install the oil filter in the proper way.

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