Help! Frozen Engine

[QCStang]

My winter beater is no longer safe or reliable, so I have to get the Stang on the road.

Fired her up - she started right away. Then a VERY load screech and smoke. Seems the serpentine belt was starting to smoke, it wasn't moving. I opened the rad cap. The coolant looks like very hard slush. I think the coolant froze? I had a 60/40 (Prestone antifreeze) mix in it. I think (?) the water pump isn't turning and is frozen. The frost plugs are intact. It is about 0*F outside.

I wonder if I take off the serpentine belt, and run the engine for 3 or 4 minutes,would I be able to "thaw" the engine and flush the coolant?

 

[STM1965]

QC use an small electrical space heater and put it under the hood, tarp off the front area to keep the wind out. Sister lived in Montreal for a few years, had the same thing happen, that's what we did.

 

[95cobraguy]

that sounds like a nightmare, i cant stand the cold.

 

[QCStang]

Well, she's alive.

Due to my previous shoulder problems, I didn't have the strength to get the belt off, so I went with plan B.

I had to use a hairdryer+electric heater+block heater while she warmed up in the sun (it finally warmed up to 20*F).

I checked the rad before starting it up. When I took the cap off, ice cold Prestone shot everywhere. A lot of pressure in there.

When I started her, she belched a little carbon, and the belt squealed for a few seconds. After a 5 minute idle, it stalled going into the street. When I started again, it stalled in reverse. I drove her about a mile to get gas (I had 1/4 tank left) . No more stalls, smooth as heck...


95cobraguy - I can't stand the cold either...