Just replaced my water pump after it started blowing antifreeze all over the belt (shouldn't have ignored that rattle coming from the pump). Of course the belt helped put a nice even coating on that side of the engine compartment. Now I don't think I've seen anybody address this issue, but can the antifreeze damage anything? If so, does anyone have any tips on cleanup?
For anyone interested, my car is a 2000 SW with 43000 miles, and Dex-Cool.
Fun!
*shrug*
I've had decent results with like castrol superclean and then hosing down with water, then driving dry off (let it get hot - take it on the highway for a while).
Theoretically, hosing the engine compartment with water isn't the best, though. *shrug*
Yeah 1 gallon is enough to eat the aluminum up.
Rinse it off well with a water hose and spray nozzle. You can let it dry before running but it won't hurt either way.
Oh... and don't put that dexcool crap back in there. Get some good green stuff that is made for all models. 1 gal should be enough then top off with water.
James
Slightly off topic: Antifreeze is considered a hazardous fluid. At a college in Boston, a security guard was topping off the coolant in a security vehicle and spilled some. Hey, we have all done it, right? A concerned individual called the EPA, who then brought in a hazardous material cleaning contractor. Guys in space suits set up the barriers to keep the 20 drops from spreading, and then cleaned the area. I am told that the cost was approx $5000.
-David
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