96 regal mixed dex cool + antifreeze, starter install help (video), tun motor by hand

[garykazman]

Ugghhh mixed dex cool + antifreeze, new regal owner

I purchased a 1996 regal 3.8 with 60,000 miles one owner car for daughter. I added GM DEX COOL to radiator overflow (it was empty), added 1/2 bottle of Hyper Lube(7 ozs.) to radiator and then topped of radiator with DEX COOL, nominal amount less than a pint I am sure of DEX COOL went into radiator. In all I used maybe a quart of DEX COOL most went into overflow. I added the Hyper Lube because it sounded like the bearings in water pump might be going. My big mistake was I never checked what type of antifreeze car was running, DEX COOL or regular antifreeze like a Prestone, I presumed it was DEX COOL since low mileage on car and fact that GM claims DEX COOL good for 105,000 miles I think I saw; well I was wrong seller claims he has been running reg. antifreeze all along.

Well a week passes after adding DEX COOL now car wont start. I got a no crank no start (one loud click). I checked battery with tester it was weak so I replaced it with new battery; and same problem no crank no start one click. I tapped the starter and I see and smell smoke coming from it so say to guess starter is dead; I purchased new starter waiting for it.

Now I begin to wonder mixing the coolant caused this problem even though it was nominal amounts or just a coincidence car breaks down after my coolant cocktail added. I now know that radiator had regular antifreeze because I contacted seller and he stated he always used regular antifreeze so safe to guess it was antifreeze in system, seller seemed certain and this was one owner of car.

Do you think mixing a little DEX COOL with regular antifreeze is just a conincidence?

I believe culprit is starter I tried to see if motor is locked up and tried to hand crank the motor with ratchet and socket, I did get crank to spin (if I did it correct I don't think I was loosening a bolt I could not turn other way). I did not remove any plugs, or remove belts.
Once I get the starter in I think and pray it will start! Anyone have any videos to install starter in 1996 buick regal or 3800 series II t help me?

My final question is what to do with radiator and my cocktail mixture of regular antifreeze and dex cool (again most of it went in overflow) The overflow appears to be at same level that I filled with DEX COOL , I did check engine oil for discoloration it was fine.

Do you guys suggest flushing this radiator good since I have a mixture of DEX COOL and antifreeze? I presume I need to flush radiator good, do I need to replace overflow since it has DEX COOL and radiator has regular antifreeze? What about hoses, thermostat, I read a couple horror stories about this.

Then after I flush can I go back to regular antifreeze since that is what the seller claims he had used for years and I only added a small amount of DEX COOL, majority into radiator overflow, been in there short time, less than week and 100 miles and no overheating signs and majority of it went to overflow and overflow level looked same after filling till now. Please help would like to get info on starter install and what to do with radiator after getting started, should I flush then go antifreeze since that was what car primarily has in it now and has had in it.

 

[ryenie]

It sounds like a coincidence. I don't think issues from mixing the two coolants would be instantaneous and mixing the two usually causes the coolant to turn gunky, not eat the gaskets. If it not being able to turn over is being caused by coolant issues (hydro locking), removing the plugs would allow it to turn over (removal of all 6 may be required to relieve the compression if this were the cause). I don't think you would be able to turn it by hand if it were hydro locked though. Not sure of any videos to remove the starter, but some info on the job. Starter comes out from underneath and pretty sure there's some under pinning that'll need to come off. There is a 2 piece plastic inspection plate that has to come off because it restricts access to the starter bolts. There are 2 10mm bolts underneath and one 10mm bolt on the front side to remove the plastic, might require a wrench to remove the one on the side (seems to vary by model). The two starter bolts are 15mm. A swivel may be required for the bolt nearest the oil pan on the starter if using a 1\2" drive ratchet. Two wires to the starter, small purple wire should be 8mm. Large wire should be a 13mm but occasionally i've run across times when it was one size up or down. Removing the radiator fans will give more working room but shouldn't be necessary. I've not done much with regals so not sure if there is a transmission strut mount on the front cross brace. If there is the whole mount will have to come out in order to remove the inspection plate.