Back in the 80's, I worked the parts counter at a VW, Porsche store.

A lady showed up saying that her 944 was leaking coolant.
She said she had topped it off with plain water to get it to the dealer without overheating.
I was thinking, well at least she didn't drive the car dry.
The lady, myself and a veteran mechanic walked out to see the car.
He popped the hood, carefully removed the radiator cap, and said,"Yes you are losing coolant, It's very low."
Then the lady says, "OH, That's where you put the water?"
We both shockingly turned our heads toward her, and asked,"Where did you add the water?"
She pointed to the valve cover oil cap...
Our jaws dropped.
Mike twisted the oil cap and removed it to reveal she had indeed topped the valves off with water.

It was one of the craziest things I have ever seen.
We were sure the car was wasted, but Mike replaced a hose, drained and refilled the fluids, and the car was fine.
So at least the story had a good ending.

Charles

 

on short trip it won't harm the engine.

one of my mechanic drain the nissan patrol oil from the pit and didn't put back the drain plug.
put a 4 liters of oil and release the car.
after 4 days the car came back complaining of high temp.
refill oil and the car still runs for another 2 years till i left the company.