Addicted to eaton Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Car :1997 Grand prix GTP Problem: a few months ago i had to refill the radiator with water instead of ati-freeze. it was in the 60's and 70's so i did not think about it. Now its 19 degrees out. and everything is frozen. my solution: start the car for 10 min max that would melt all the ice back to water besides whats in the upper and lower radiator hose and in the radiator correct? then i would fill the radiator up with anti freeze (its only half full) Would that melt the ice in it? then i would only have to melt the uper and lower return hose correct? remember the serpentine belt broke, so i wont burn it up because a frozen water pump. Im looking for help, Not comments, If you can not provide me with them, Don't post thanks, Anthony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairdo12 Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 I'd warm up the motor to about where the thermostat should open up. Then I would pull the car into a garage, shut down the motor and let the heat under the hood from the motor melt the ice down. Lets hope the ice didn't do any damage.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 Pour in the antifreeze FIRST, it should help kickstart the melting. Run the engine for a bit, see if you can get the hoses pliable. if they are, you can bust up the ice more with your hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AL Posted December 4, 2009 Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 If the belt is off, It wont run for very long without the alternator charging the battery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to eaton Posted December 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2009 If the belt is off, It wont run for very long without the alternator charging the battery it will run plenty long enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 Just hope the block is not cracked, a friend of mine made that mistake years ago now with the 305 in his Camaro. But you seem to be on the right track with thawing it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted December 9, 2009 Report Share Posted December 9, 2009 Water is the only substance that expands when it freezes. The cast iron your engine is made of contracts as it gets colder. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I'd be getting that thing into somewhere warm and let it thaw over night kinda thing. Running it without coolant flow for 10 mins even if there is ice/water stuck i nthe head you'll probably damage something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 I'd be getting that thing into somewhere warm and let it thaw over night kinda thing. Running it without coolant flow for 10 mins even if there is ice/water stuck i nthe head you'll probably damage something. I would think any heat caused will melt the ice around it fairly quickly. It takes a while for an engine to heat up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManicMechanic Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Run it until it warms up (shouldn't take long) and then slowly pour the antifreeze in. You might get lucky, but it's entirely possible something is cracked. I did the same thing to a 2.8 Ciera I had. No garage so I had to run it until it thawed out (broke the belt) and then put antifreeze in it. Drove the car for another year though, then sold it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Oh I know the ice would melt quick...but it would soon boil too I would think. Maybe if it's outside it will be okay... I dunno I'm not a doctor but I'll take a look lol.. I'd just be careful doing that is all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oscar_wilde Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Why not get some anti-freeze real hot on a stove and fill the bleed holes with hot anti-freeze? Seems like a fairly decent way to kick start thawing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfewtrail Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Depending on how much it actually froze inside, you may be in for some problems. If you thaw it out and run it keep a close eye on everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galaxie500XL Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 With no water pump, DON'T RUN IT AT ALL. The problem is head temperature. Since no water is circulating, head temps around the combustion chamber can go very high, destroy the heads, and you won't have a clue it's happening. If there is a garage nearby, I'd get it indoors, and let it warm slowly. That failing, I'd find me one of those portable heaters and blow hot air under the hood, thaw it out, then drain and refill. The problem with that is, with no water pump, it will be almost impossible to thoroughly mix the coolant within the block... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to eaton Posted December 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 this can be locked. she is gone now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted December 12, 2009 Report Share Posted December 12, 2009 With no water pump, DON'T RUN IT AT ALL. The problem is head temperature. Since no water is circulating, head temps around the combustion chamber can go very high, destroy the heads, and you won't have a clue it's happening. If there is a garage nearby, I'd get it indoors, and let it warm slowly. That failing, I'd find me one of those portable heaters and blow hot air under the hood, thaw it out, then drain and refill. The problem with that is, with no water pump, it will be almost impossible to thoroughly mix the coolant within the block... This is what I was getting at with my post earlier. sucks Anthony.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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