2009 Matrix, base model 1.8L engine, 150K miles. Just noticed a problem while getting ready to do a drain and fill of the coolant. Last time this was done was at 100K miles 6 years ago. I purchased the Asian Zerex red gallon and while I noticed the coolant reservoir was red, upon opening the radiator cap it was green!! Not one problem the last 6 years with overheating, leaking, etc. So what do I do now?? I'm tempted to just throw caution to the wind and finish this project...
Alrighty, that sounds good. I will drain and fill with distilled water a few times. Just the fluid in the reservoir is red, it's a normal plastic colored container.
so the coolant in the radiator was green, but the coolant in the reservoir was red?? That's strange. You would think they would mix together over time. Somebody must have been topping it up. Well hopefully there isn't too much sludge in the system. You can use tap water for the flushing part. Use the distilled for the final fill.
Yes, exactly. It doesn't make sense, you think it would have been severely damaged with sludge by now.
if the engine doesn't overheat, and the cabin heat works, you're probably OK
wait, you mean the coolant reservoir container itself is red plastic, or the liquid inside is red?
Anyway, you shouldn't mix those two coolant types. I would drain it all out and then flush with pure water a few times, before putting the new antifreeze in.
Definitely do not mix red and green coolant. As advised, flush the system with pure water before adding the new coolant.
