Another FAIL!

[91_festy_Gl]

Ok guys this is the stupidest thing I have done so far and I need help to resolve this issue. Awhile back when I was driving fester my BP powered festy it over heated. I putted it down the road and filled it up with water. Well after a few months of driving it that way, my shifter linkage broke so I stopped driving the car and started driving my GL. Yesterday I realized that I forgot to flush the water out and replace with anti-freeze so now the engine and radiator are frozen. Someone told me to remove the radiator and start the engine. I dont want to do this because if the water pump is froze it might damage it upon starting it. Do you guys have any suggestions? I thought about plugging in a electric heater and placing it in the engine bay with the hood down. I wonder if that would be enough to thaw it out?

[mattswabb]

Place the heater under the engine with the hood closed so it will trap in the heat. You may end up with other problems due to the water freezing and expanding.

[lanemeyer14]

Did the same thing to my car and it turned out ugly. Lost a freeze plug, water pump housing broke in multiple places, thermostat housing broke in half, etc. I replaced everything and drove the car once and the head gasket blew! Try to thaw it out the best you can before you do anything and then hope for the best

[Pu241]

Any damage is already done if the coolant/water froze.
Heating it up slowing will keep you from overheating and warping the head in case the coolant lines are froze and no circulation occurs.
I concur with Matt heater under the engine hood down and hope nothing starts leaking when it thaws.
Good luck!

[denguy]

The weakest link syndrome.

[Damkid]

All good ideas, if you decide to start it while still frozen, just take the water pump belt off and you wont need to worry about the water pump getting damaged, although i'd rather do the heater trick before starting it :lol:

[91_festy_Gl]

I had this happen years ago on a storm GSi that I had and I think it took about 3 to 4 hours with a bottle torch to get it thawed. It was low on water last time it was running so I doubt there is enough water in there to expand enough to pop freeze plugs. Im gonna go out and see what I can do in the morning. thanks for the ideas though. Ill post back with results.

[crazyrog17]

Are you lucky enough to know someone with a heated shop? That was my first idea.

[91_festy_Gl]

I do but the nearest is about 7 miles away. Im going out right now to see whats up. Its like 30-35 out right now so this is the time to unthaw it and put some antifreeze in it.

[91_festy_Gl]

Got it thawed out. I poured 1/2 gallon of antifreeze in the radiator and cut the water pump belt. Fired it up and ran it for about 3 mins just enough to get the engine semi warm. Waited about 20 mins and went back out and she was thawed. I need to replace the water pump belt asap so I can get the coolant ran through the system but other then that there wasnt no busted freeze plugs or cracked water pump. I think I got lucky this time.