I’m trying to help my buddy with his CRV. He just bought it used and everything seems to be working fine, but when he went to fill the windshield washer fluid, he accidentally poured it into the radiator overflow reservoir; the one directly to the left of the actual radiator.
He said the tank was completely dry, so he assumed that’s where washer fluid goes. I used a turkey baster to remove most of it, but will the small amount that’s left cause any problems? And should there normally be coolant in that overflow reservoir? He said it was empty.
It’s winter in Minnesota, so it’s cold here.
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December 11, 2025, 03:20 PM
HRK
Should be a fill when cold line on the side, fill it with proper coolant, I'd doubt the little amount left after you empty it would be an issue, but, you could unbolt it, remove the clips holding the hose to it and drain it completely.
December 11, 2025, 04:49 PM
6guns
I agree with HRK.
I would test the coolant solution for freeze protection though to be sure it'll be ok for winter. Add a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water if it tests okay.
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December 11, 2025, 05:02 PM
egregore
quote:
And should there normally be coolant in that overflow reservoir? He said it was empty.
Yes. And check the level in the radiator. It's probably low. The reservoir is just that; the coolant in it does not normally circulate through the system unless the engine runs low, then the reservoir is drawn from. This is because (if the radiator cap functions properly), low coolant level will create a vacuum in the system.
As for getting the washer fluid out, the tank is form-fitted (conforms to the shape) around the condenser fan and is somewhat difficult to remove. Take a piece of no more than ¼" diameter vacuum hose, about 3-4 feet long, push it down as far as it will go (it has to snake around a curve) and use it to siphon out the remaining washer fluid. What little is left won't hurt anything. Washer fluid is itself a kind of antifreeze.This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,
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December 11, 2025, 09:08 PM
lyman
quote:
Originally posted by egregore:
quote:
And should there normally be coolant in that overflow reservoir? He said it was empty.
Yes. And check the level in the radiator. It's probably low. The reservoir is just that; the coolant in it does not normally circulate through the system unless the engine runs low, then the reservoir is drawn from. This is because (if the radiator cap functions properly), low coolant level will create a vacuum in the system.
As for getting the washer fluid out, the tank is form-fitted (conforms to the shape) around the condenser fan and is somewhat difficult to remove. Take a piece of no more than ¼" diameter vacuum hose, about 3-4 feet long, push it down as far as it will go (it has to snake around a curve) and use it to siphon out the remaining washer fluid. What little is left won't hurt anything. Washer fluid is itself a kind of antifreeze.
^^^ what he said
another option, put a water hose in the tank and fill it and let it run till most if not all the WW fluid is pushed out the top or diluted,
then siphon out the excess if needed,
and agreed, if the tank was dry, check the radiator
great vehicles, friend had one that finally traded off for an Element after about 400K miles
Thanks for the advice everyone, I ended up attaching a small diameter hose to a turkey baster and was sble to suck all of the liquid out of the reservoir.
I took the radiator cap off, and it appears to be full to the top, appeared to be more watery than I would’ve expected, I’m going to fill the reservoir to the cold fill line and then keep an eye on it.
Thanks again!
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December 12, 2025, 07:04 AM
egregore
^^^ There are inexpensive hydrometers available to check this. A proper 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water will protect down to -34° F. You also get the maximum corrosion and overheat protection.
When filling the real washer reservoir, use nothing less than -25° rated, or he might find a giant blue ice cube.
"The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke
December 12, 2025, 07:25 AM
sourdough44
Sounds like done. A few things, he didn’t drive it after adding the wiper fluid? Sounds like not, if so, no biggie, no circulation. If he did drive it some after adding the fluid, then likely some circulation. That’s less desirable, still diluted.
Just to back up some, the vehicle likely needs a coolant fluid change anyway. It’s more enjoyable on a 75 degree summer day than now. I dabble with used cars at times, may look at another on Sunday. Many people are NOTORIOUS for weak, preventative maintenance. As able I go though most fluids, plugs, & filters after buying a vehicle.
