Is there a way to check what type of coolant is in the reservoir without seeing an indication on the fill line? I’m not sure what type the previous owner used. Is the green 50/50 dilution recommended in the manual? If so I can just top it off I just don’t want to mix the wrong coolant.

 

Err not really? Unfortunately the reservoir is poorly designed, you cant see into it from the top. and the fill line is on the wrong side! You could snake some tuning in there and find out!
Afaik, blue = factory or fancy coolant, green = coolant.
As long as you're 50/50 diluted you're good mixing coolants.

 

When I did my drain/flush I used the blue stuff from nissan. Pop open the radiator cap (when cold) and look for a level.

 

So when I looked in the radiator today it looked green. Took it in for an oil change and told them it looked low (they always check for low fluid anyway). After I took it home I looked in the reservoir and it looks like orange coolant. Should I be worried? Or does the color not matter but the compounds of it? This shop has never done me wrong before and has lots of experience. So I just have to assume they knew the deal right?

 

Green could be a universal coolant, or, I believe the nissan non-diluted fluid also comes in green. The blue stuff I bought was a 50/50 mix. I'm not sure how you got orange, unless some sort of red coolant (hopefully not the gm stuff) was put in. Is the fluid fluid or has clumps?

 

Looks like orange fluid. This shop isn’t run by a bunch of 16 year olds, but true mechanics so I didn’t think I would need to tell them what coolant to put in. I drove it for about 30 mins today with no signs of overheating or any other issues. Honestly felt a little bette than usual.

 

If you're concerned, call and ask what coolant they used.

 

I need to take it in to have the evap box worked on anyway. So I’m just going to drive my other car till Friday when I can get it done. Then if they messed up I’ll have them flush it as well.

 

Orange coolant cant be mixed with blue or green it will gell

 

Isn’t there orange fluid coolant that’s not a jell? This looks like a fluid not a jell

 

Orange is used in vw Audi's and others you cant mix orange with blue or green.

 

This might be of interest.

https://www.valvoline.com/our-produc...engine-coolant

 

I drove for probably 15 miles or so with it in there. Did I damage my cooling system? What signs would I see if I did?

 

Years ago, my camaro (which took the dexcool coolant) was in the body shop after a crash. Radiator was among many parts replaced. They filled it up with the green coolant. I refused acceptance (actually had about 40 line items of issues with their repairs) forcing them to sublet the car to a local gm dealer for coolant evacuation and proper filling.

As mentioned, one of the concerns is gelling, other is how it reacts with the materials in the cooling system. You need to find out exactly what they put in it.

PS. Do you own maintenance to save yourself from such headaches.

 

So has the damage been done? Is flushing the system something that I can do myself with little experience?