Emergency!

[mitchness]

We're all aware of this bad weather right now.

I started my 2004 v6 in -12 degrees with -35 windchill for work.

I heard a really loud whine that sounded like an old power steering pump going bad.
The temperature of the engine was fine. It warmed up and stayed right where it needed. Then after 10 minutes on my way to work the temperature went straight up towards the H. I put it in neutral and shut it off while it was still moving and got to the side of the highway and stopped.

The tow truck just dropped it off in my driveway. I tried to start it just to park it 50 feet away and something terrible happened. It ran for about 4 seconds, made a loud clunking noise then shut off. Now it will not start. The starter also sounds like it's having a very easy time spinning the engine. I really hope the timing chain is OK. I can't check it either. I almost collapsed in the cold since it's so extreme, yet I have to go to work tomorrow.

Please help! I'm having a nervous breakdown here. Any type of insight is welcome.

Thank you very much,
Mitch

 

[DjDom]

The whine doesn't seem odd. I get it here starting below -40.
But the fact that the engine temp went up that high sounds like something with the radiator.
Check your thermostat and coolant. Sounds like the thermostat got stuck closed, or that you have bad coolant.
The fact that it won't start now may be since the coolant is frozen.

 

[Rick]

I hate to say it, but this doesn't sound like it's going to be a quick fix. First I would check to see if your antifreeze froze like DJ said. If your mixture wasn't correct it's possible that it froze up.

Also check your dipstick to see if any water has mixed with the oil. If it has it will appear milky on the dipstick.

I'm thinking broken oil pump or timing chain I sure hope I'm wrong.

 

[arco777]

Timing chain can be verified with a compression check. If the valvetrain is not operating there will be no compression. Also without compression, the starter will indeed have an easier time of cranking the engine...

I feel for you Mitch. Hope it works out for the best.

 

[ghost798]

check the fan belt to see if it still there . the coolant can be checked by open the cap and putting finger in . timing chain could be what went but that will not make it run hot

 

[mitchness]

I apologize for the delay in responding.
After a night of sitting under 500 watt halogen lamps, dressing up for the severe weather, and a lot of four letter words, Every single bit of coolant froze. I will be shopping around for kits or block warmers for a just in case scenario.

As for it refusing to start, I don't think anybody will ever know why. Once I got it thawed (and myself), it started in 2 cranks. Optima battery and 400 amp alternator had zero issue. I think more than just the anti-freeze froze. On the tow truck, grille facing the -55 wind chill at 50mph, something may have been completely frozen for a short time (sensor, computer, everything with a wire going into it).

As for the timing chain, I think I may have a thread sticky-worthy about it. I'll make it this weekend and see if someone likes it enough.

I appreciate your responses and the Ex is running perfectly fine. Starts in 2 cranks, has 130k original miles on engine and trans, runs factory fresh and has zero ticking. I still go out in the woods to play with it from time to time. It's been hood deep in a creek more than once. mwahaha.

For the V6 model, the exterior engine mods seemed to have been like steroids for it. I can compete with euros and most newer cars. I run her hard. I treat her well. She purrs like a kitten for me.

Cheers!
-mitch

 

[Rick]

Wow, so lucky that nothing cracked!

Glad to hear you are back in action

 

[arco777]

Wow, I'm glad nothing broke Wasn't expecting a happy ending, pleasantly surprised.

 

[swshawaii]

Wow! Great news, very lucky and happy for you. Were you using a 50/50 or 60/40 coolant mixture ratio?

A good block heater should be your #1 priority right now, before you even buy and add fresh antifreeze.

 

[mitchness]

Wow! Great news, very lucky and happy for you. Were you using a 50/50 or 60/40 coolant mixture ratio?

A good block heater should be your #1 priority right now, before you even buy and add fresh antifreeze.

It was 50/50 with distilled water as the book stated. I will be flushing it in the spring and going possibly 60/40 and maybe replace the water pump since it sounds like this incident started to do this one in and it's only a year old. :\

Not hard to do though. I'll make another how-to thread on it.