Quick question about antifreeze/cold nights...

[redterror302]

I am at school right now, so my car sits for a few days in a row. I am just worried about the temp outside dropping too low for my coolant. When I checked it back in December, I used a generic checker thing that only had intervals of 15 degrees F. It read that it is good to -5 degrees F. I guess my question is, if it would start to freeze/turn into slush, would it start to thaw out once the temp gets above -5 degrees? I know everyone is going to say flush the coolant and put in new stuff, but right now that is not an option. What potential problems could arise if it does freeze? I don't think the temp has gotten that low here yet, but I want to be careful about it.

Chris

 

[50Dreamer]

If it does freeze your gonna have leaks but im in the same situation and havent had a problem yet. If the mixture is slushy when you look at it I wouldnt start the car but if its just cold and its still a liquid your fine. Bad things can happen if a line is frozen and you start it though.

 

[redterror302]

Yeah I know its not good to run it if the coolant is frozen. I am just wondering if it starts to thaw right away once the temp gets above -5 degrees. The only reason it may drop below that would be at night, and then it would get above that again during the day.

Chris

 

[-86GTStang]

If the temp is going 5-10*F lower than your checker thing shows, -5, then you can run into some problems. If the coolant freeze , it could breake your radiator or waterpump. Frozen water expand a lot, and is strong enough to crack metall,weakest materials first,aluminium,brass,etc. If it only slush,there will normally bee no problems. Never try to run your engine with slush or ice in the cooling system. Tow your car to a garage or somthing for a slow heat up period. If you cant do this, wait for warmer weather. You can drain a Quarts or two from your radiator, and just add antifreez (run the engine after adding.. ) .This lowers the slush temp... The coolant will start to slush very slowly,from the -5 range. How cold could it bee around your frozen Horse ? Good Luck.

 

[NKau]

The only real problem will be if it freezes solid and does damage to your waterpump/block or pops out the freeze plugs in your block. You will PROBABLY be OK, but next year make damn sure you have a better mixture in there.

 

[redterror302]

Well once spring rolls around I will be removing the radiator for my h/c/i build, and it will recieve a good mixture. It just sucks that I can't do anything right now. Anyway, its 32 degrees outside right now. I just wanted to make sure that nothing terrible happens to it over the winter. I think it got into single digits the other night. I know that once it gets below -5 it will begin to slush/freeze, but I am still wondering if it begins to thaw out at -4 degrees. During the day it's usually around 30 degrees or so, so it shouldn't be too bad.

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming.

 

[Maryland Stang]

Yes, it will begin the thaw at -4. But... it will thaw very slowly. Your antifreeze water mixture is just like water, it just has a lower freeze point. Just do like -86GTStang said and drain a couple of quarts of fluid and add a little antifreeze. That will lower your freeze temperature way down.