Block frozen solid - what do I do now?

Pete19s said:
Modern engines
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Is this word allowed in one of Jonnys threads? :p

I personally favour the idea of getting it warmed up quickly and running with the pump not turning till it thaws.


Rung dads race mechanic this morning as I remembered the Westfield's out in his workshop and I'd only filled it with water :eek: (knowing that I'd have to drain it soon). Fortunately he'd already checked the concentration (used some fancy word that's new to me!) and has re-done it and run the engine this week... could have been quite an expensive mistake if he hadn't!
 
I'd go for 3), but don't run it for long. If you go for 2) and get the pump turning there is no guarantee a chunk of ice within the engine won't jam it up again.
 
Begbie said:
airconditionerhack.jpg


??
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I believe that is a diy air conditioner ;) last thing he wants :)
 
You'll most likely have popped the core plugs out of it.
It wont be going anywhere, defrosted or not, until you replace them.
 
Went for a number 3 in the end. Didn't take long to thaw out and I topped up the displaced water with antifreeze. Can't see any more leaks than were already there but might be up for a new rad in the new year :p

Definitely no core plugs in that motor, anywhere :D
 
Gaijin said:
Stupid question alert: How did you know it was frozen solid?
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There was a big greeny brown icicle hanging out one of the hose joints where it had squeezed it out, I couldn't squash any of the hoses and when I took the rad cap off it popped up a bit on a small column of ice :D

Then when I took the fan belt off the water pumps wouldn't turn. It was definitely well frozen :p
 
I was going to point and laugh, now you've reminded me i've left the block on my SJ full of water too. :( Hopefully not having the heater pipes connected will give it a bit more room to expand. Hopefully.

:(
 
My parents used to put a small parafin stove under their car engine when it froze up. (some sort of actual proper freeze in the 70's)?

Could do the trick..
 
Jonny69 said:
Went for a number 3 in the end. Didn't take long to thaw out and I topped up the displaced water with antifreeze. Can't see any more leaks than were already there but might be up for a new rad in the new year :p

Definitely no core plugs in that motor, anywhere :D
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win. hope it lives
 
Jonny69 said:
Went for a number 3 in the end. Didn't take long to thaw out and I topped up the displaced water with antifreeze. Can't see any more leaks than were already there but might be up for a new rad in the new year :p

Definitely no core plugs in that motor, anywhere :D
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Your a lucky chap!

ebay can be great for radiators, got a new oe valeo one should be £130 for £35.
 
Adam_D200 said:
Not stupid, I also wondered the same :confused:
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I don't think that makes it not stupid, I think it just makes us stupid together :p

Jonny69 said:
There was a big greeny brown icicle hanging out one of the hose joints where it had squeezed it out, I couldn't squash any of the hoses and when I took the rad cap off it popped up a bit on a small column of ice :D

Then when I took the fan belt off the water pumps wouldn't turn. It was definitely well frozen :p
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Thanks :)
 
Drain the oil out, put it in an old pan / metal bucket, heat on stove until hot & smelly then pour back into the engine.

repeat until block thaws out :)


It heats the block from the inside so will put less stress on joints/gaskets etc


*bin the oil ASAP after the engines ok
 
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