Oh I hate starting the Bee when it’s on jackstands. I fear it will vibrate itself off the stands
Coolant water frozen - what next?
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Had done research about engine temps by reducing (not eliminating) the anti-freeze mix. I’ve run around 30% for the last few years with wetter; though my car is in a heated garage. Straight water isn’t a good idea as it can rust up the engine innards.
Doesn't sound crazy at all, When we lived in Anchorage Alaska dad used a 150 watt heat lamp bulb under his 57 Nomad for three years till he finally got a block heater.... It worked in Korea, Adak Alaska and while on his second tour in Germany so it should at least help anywhere...
Well I learned my lesson, if I’m going to run water then make sure to drain before freezing temps start. Or invest in a garage heater.
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As I noted earlier, this "drain the water" isn't going to work for you if the car still has a cabin heater in it. The in and out tubes are at the TOP of the heating unit. Despite draining the radiator, block, etc the heater will stay full of water and freeze.
I learned this the hard way after we had to change a rear frost plug in Dad's '76 Fury Sports 318. Split the trans from the engine, changed the plug with the old GF's Father and we had no antifreeze so after a test run with water we drained everything for the night before a 400 mile trip the next morning.
Next day I was driving, -25C, Mom had her mitts on her feet, my Sister was buried in blankets in the back and we were about 40 minutes from destination and the heater still hadn't thawed out. Got nailed in a radar trap on the 401 in Oshawa and pulled over. Cop came up to the window, I pointed at my Mother going hypothermic and he said "get her to the hospital". Today that speed would have been stunt driving, car seized and licence suspended.
I learned this the hard way after we had to change a rear frost plug in Dad's '76 Fury Sports 318. Split the trans from the engine, changed the plug with the old GF's Father and we had no antifreeze so after a test run with water we drained everything for the night before a 400 mile trip the next morning.
Next day I was driving, -25C, Mom had her mitts on her feet, my Sister was buried in blankets in the back and we were about 40 minutes from destination and the heater still hadn't thawed out. Got nailed in a radar trap on the 401 in Oshawa and pulled over. Cop came up to the window, I pointed at my Mother going hypothermic and he said "get her to the hospital". Today that speed would have been stunt driving, car seized and licence suspended.
If you can not run the engine you will need a electric pump to circulate the 50/50 .
That bock all complete will hold near 2.5 gallons not counting the rad.
You can pull the T stat and reduce your upper and lower hoses. Menards , ect should have enough fittings to get you there.
Buy or barrow a stand alone pump, get the engine and rad drained and plugged back up. Fill the rad with straight anti freeze and pump it through.
You want a 50/50 mix.
Good luck man, hope that block is good , sounds like you may have dodged this one.
That bock all complete will hold near 2.5 gallons not counting the rad.
You can pull the T stat and reduce your upper and lower hoses. Menards , ect should have enough fittings to get you there.
Buy or barrow a stand alone pump, get the engine and rad drained and plugged back up. Fill the rad with straight anti freeze and pump it through.
You want a 50/50 mix.
Good luck man, hope that block is good , sounds like you may have dodged this one.
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heat the antifreeze before putting it in, that should melt and mix with water in the block
R413
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Next unfortunate soul that freezes his car may benefit from this advise.
Don't open the petcock or block drains.
It will thaw faster of you leave any water in the system instead of draining it as it thaws. The water transfers heat and it's warmer than the ice. The liquid water isn't hurting anything, it's helping. Ice won't come out those drains. LOL
Don't open the petcock or block drains.
It will thaw faster of you leave any water in the system instead of draining it as it thaws. The water transfers heat and it's warmer than the ice. The liquid water isn't hurting anything, it's helping. Ice won't come out those drains. LOL
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Yep, he already ignored that advise that was given earlier. Hopefully the next person won't!
Why the efforts to get coolant back in the block? Once it's out it can't freeze anymore.... Pull both block drains & open the radiator petcock and leave it till things warm up... I would put water back in it & get some run time on it to make sure everything is good before filling it with coolant... JMHO..
Leave a heater on it till the whole block is up to around 50-60 degrees, that way there shouldn't be any frozen ice cubes waiting to cause damage... Once your confident there's no significant water left leave it dry...
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Everyone still seems to be missing that heater core that's gonna be pissin all over the cabin floor next spring! 
I'd drain radiator (you still 50% water) want add some anti freeze run engine to circulate anti freeze/water. Then drain system,save that mix for next year. Mark the jugs. If there's an area in egine that doesn't drain and freezes and cracks say a head. I'm a little cautious.
Thought he said it leaked last summer?Everyone still seems to be missing that heater core that's gonna be pissin all over the cabin floor next spring!
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Everyone still seems to be missing that heater core that's gonna be pissin all over the cabin floor next spring!
I heard you
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Thanks Fran! I've been drinkin Rum since I got out of the plow truck, missed that! Would have made it really easy to install that coolant heater I linked for him though ! LOL At least we know why it was leaking last year though....
On the last page you missed that I stated the heater core isn’t in the car. So non-issue.
Maybe this is a partially good sign, but the beer in my garage is still liquid, not the same as water, but close? So can’t be that subzero in the garage.
Water is still dripping out of rad and block drains.
Maybe this is a partially good sign, but the beer in my garage is still liquid, not the same as water, but close? So can’t be that subzero in the garage.
Water is still dripping out of rad and block drains.
Everyone still seems to be missing that heater core that's gonna be pissin all over the cabin floor next spring!
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Crack one of those beers and see what happens! You'll either have a popsicle or the drink you need right now!
I know what you’re referring to, beer’s liquid until you open it, then it partially freezes when opened.
That’s what happened with my radiator when I took the cap off, some steam/vapor came out, then ice on top inside.
That’s what happened with my radiator when I took the cap off, some steam/vapor came out, then ice on top inside.
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