Engine 'coolant' frozen solid - advice?

Discussion in 'General Vehicle Chat' started by RobC, Dec 19, 2009.

  1. RobC Forum Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2004
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Preston
    Went out to the car earlier, bit of a screech on starting but it turned over and ran normally for 10-15 seconds or so until I noticed the smoke from under the bonnet. Switched it off, couldn't see anything obvious or where the smoke was coming from, then felt around the rad pipes and they're pretty much frozen solid. Had some cooling issues a couple of months ago, now fixed, but the garage obviously just filled it with water. Totally blame myself for not checking the antifreeze.

    Guessing the smoke was poss from slipping belt? Anyway, now it's just sitting exposed in the car park outside the flat getting even more frozen. Could be days before it thaws out in this weather. Is leaving it sitting outside going to cause even more problems, or will the damage already have been done? Heard some horror stories about cracked blocks etc [xx(]

    Parents have a garage I could stick it in and get a heater under it, but it's getting the car there. Rang AA who want 167 to join with homestart, since I'm already broken down. Tad expensive but I'm willing to pay if getting it to a warm place will stop it from dying!

    Sorry about long post - any advice appreciated.
     
  2. pigbladder Forum Addict

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    108
    Location:
    cambridge , uk
    damage is prob already done
     
  3. BristolFish

    BristolFish Forum Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2008
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    5129'6.21"N 212'53.61"W
    [:s] They're not much good, are they? I was under the impression that you put antifreeze/summer coolant in at any time of year(?)
     
  4. Mike_H Forum Addict

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2004
    Likes Received:
    17
    Location:
    iQuit
    Can your folks tow you round to theirs, or are they in the AA ("you're the member, not the car")
     
  5. Matt82

    Matt82 Forum Addict

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2006
    Likes Received:
    8
    Location:
    GTI Scene
    you need it all the time. it stops/helps prevent corrosion within the block

    it increases the boiling point of the water and stops it freezing int his weather

    when its thawed you could have issues like core plugs being popped out by the ice, could have a cracked block because of the ice and a dead water pump... just have to see, all depends onthe extent of the freeze

    30% antifreeze is fine in our climate
     
  6. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Likes Received:
    447
    Empty whatever's left in it, out, asap.
     
  7. RobC Forum Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2004
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Preston
    Sadly they're away until next Tuesday. No one I know has that AA 'member not the car' membership and can't find one single mate who is willing to give me a tow - useless b*stards!

    I guess I'll just have to wait until it thaws and hope for the best. Really disappointed with the garage but equally p*ssed off at myself for not checking. Just as I've got it running and driving right. this happens [:x]
     
  8. BristolFish

    BristolFish Forum Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2008
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    5129'6.21"N 212'53.61"W
    Any kind members in the Preston area available?
     
  9. RobC Forum Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2004
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Preston
    I can see why that'd be a good idea but I suspect it's too late to do this, top and bottom hoses whilst not totally solid were almost there (could just about "crush" the ice inside by squeezing the hose pretty hard). Only way I know of draining the system is to take the bottom hose off - presuming that's not going to help here?

    Would bunging some antifreeze in the expansion tank help at all or is that a waste of time?

    Cheers for replies.
     
  10. pigbladder Forum Addict

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    108
    Location:
    cambridge , uk
    waste of time
     
  11. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Likes Received:
    447
    It's worth every effort.

    Just get whatever you can out. Rad empty, whatever.
     
  12. EZ_Pete

    EZ_Pete Forum Junkie

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2007
    Likes Received:
    343
    Location:
    Under Bonnet, nr Abingdon
    Wouldn't a bowlful of hot water (replenished as required) slid under the sump help thaw it out enough to drain?
     
  13. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Likes Received:
    447
    Kettle down the outside of the radiator - anything
     
  14. pigbladder Forum Addict

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    108
    Location:
    cambridge , uk
    id suggest letting it thaw carefully ...boiling water may well cause more cracks and damage especialy on stuff like the rad
     
  15. alexisblades99 Forum Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2009
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    sunny helsinki
    if it's damaged the engine, get it round to the garage. they broke it, they should fix it. if there's no antifreeze on your invoice it proves they didn't do the job right. if they'd put it in, they would have billed you for it no doubt. slack buggers.

    but yes maybe you should drain it out, can you set up a heater to blow on it overnight?
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2009
  16. Nige

    Nige Paid Member Paid Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2006
    Likes Received:
    2,138
    Whilst I agree, you know what garages are like, they`ll squirm out if they can [:^(]

    I`d drain out whatever is in asap, run COLD water over the radiator and engine, then slowly start putting warm water over. Even cold water is warmer than the ice thats there now. You want to defrost slowly, but I`d want to get out whats in there asap, it may only be half frozen now, another day and it could be fully frozen.

    Worth some time now, it may save some severe damage.

    What about taking off the fan belt and starting the engine for a few minutes. Then let it stand so the heat soak melts the water ? That way, you won`t be trying to turn a seized water pump [:s]
     
  17. mat-mk3

    mat-mk3 Administrator Admin

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Likes Received:
    566
    Location:
    Bristol
    I think you need to thaw it out slowly but soon!

    If you have ice in there and it gets colder its going to expand and possibly do some if not more damage to the block.

    Got any hot water bottles?
     
  18. RobC Forum Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2004
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Preston
    Can't run a heater to it unfortunately, parked in the car park outside the flat. Just been to have a look, can't get the bottom hose off in the position its parked. Will have to wait until tomorrow morning. Poked my finger into the expansion tank and there's ice floating round in it but not frozen solid. Chucked some anti freeze in just in case - yeah I know, too little too late..

    Can't be bothered doing any more tonight, off to get drunk and forget about it. Cheers for suggestions.
     
  19. A.N. Other Banned after significant club disruption Dec 5th 2

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2003
    Likes Received:
    447
    :thumbup: :thumbup:
     
  20. jamez Forum Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2003
    Likes Received:
    21
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Last year the same happened to my escort mk5 1.9td van. I removed the belt for the water pump/power steering pump and drove to the nearest car wash , about a 4 minute drive , and washed the front of the block/rad for about 15 minutes with the hot rinse untill i was able to turn the water pump pully by hand. I then refitted the belt and started the engine and within a few seconds the rad got hot then the bottom hose. I added antifreeze to the expansion tank on the way home.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice