HELP! Engine block cracked?

[jgilbs]

A few days ago, I drained all the coolant out of my system and replaced it with antifreeze cleaner. I have been driving it around in order to clean out the cooling system. Problem is, last night I left it outside and the temperatures went below freezing. I tried to start it up today, and it idled fine, but when I backed down the driveway, the car just died. It wouldn't turn over. So, I let it sit for a minute and it cranked just fine. but i turned it off just in case. I looked under the car and noticed a copious amount of fluid frozen to the bottom and dripping off of the engine block. Did I crack my engine block? If I did, is there any hope for my car?Please help

 

[chris c]

how cold did it get by you? if it dips below freezing i would think that it would need to remain below freezing for many hours [or dip WAY below] prior to cracking the block.

hopefully you just popped a freeze out plug out of the block or burst a hose. can you push the truck into the garage and let it thaw out and then check the freeze out plugs or burst a hose? then drain and refill the system and check for leaks?

aside from the freezing are you supposed to drive around with the system flush in?

 

[jgilbs]

it was below freezing for seveal hours. i parked the car at 1:30am and went to move it at 1pm. yea, the flush is supposed to be in the car for 3-6 hours with the heat on high (while driving) i am letting it heat up, and there is a huge puddle under my car at this point. if i cracked it, would it start at all? i checked the radiator, the cap was frozen on, and when i removed it, the liquid was just a solid block of ice. what are these freezeout plugs? and where can i find them?

 

[chris c]

they are round plugs on the side of the block.

there is a good chance that your radiator is toast now that you describe the senario. i would just let the car thaw out in the garage. under the exhaust manifolds on both sides of the block will be the freeze out plugs. they are round and about the size of a snapple cap. they are there in case the coolant freeze's. they push out instead of the block cracking. well, they are supposed to anyway. many times they do not work though and the block becomes a boat anchor..

i'd check all the hoses too...

can you see where it is leaking from?

if your block did crack your going to need a new engine.

 

[jgilbs]

thanks for the quick reply. im letting it thaw out now. arent freeze plugs just for the cooling system? like i described it idled fine, then just died while backing out of my driveway. wouldnt this be an indication of a cracked engine block? or would it not work at all?

 

[chris c]

Originally posted by jgilbs
thanks for the quick reply. im letting it thaw out now. arent freeze plugs just for the cooling system? like i described it idled fine, then just died while backing out of my driveway. wouldnt this be an indication of a cracked engine block? or would it not work at all?

it all depends on where an the extent of the crack. if it will run and how long...

having a frozen system will cause many problems. the water pump can not spin [the belt will slip or the shaft will shear, sensors will have wrong readings, etc].

your first step is to let it thaw without it running. then you have to assess the damage. there may be internal damage too.

i don't know and i can't see it.

all you can really do is be optimistic about it but if the block is cracked don't be suprised. depending upon the location of the crack you might be able to get it repaired. you might need a new engine. i wish i could help you more but i can't see to much from my work computer...

 

[jgilbs]

i have heard good things bout JB WELD. if i can see the crack, can I just cold weld it and it will work?

 

[chris c]

i would not bet on that repair. once you find the crack and verify that it is in a location that can be repaired have a guy [who know what he is doing] come to the house with a 110 welder. even then it may not be a reliable repair on the fly like that....

 

[chris c]

sux, cause i cannot see what you are dealing with. obviously only certain sized cracks in certain locations can be repaired.

well, am heading home. i wish you the best of luck.

 

[jgilbs]

i saw in the puddle of coolant there was a little black circular shaped object, about the size of a bottle cap. would this be the freeze plug? or are they bigger?

 

[chris c]

that is about the size of them... look at the side of the block and look for a hole the same size...

 

[jgilbs]

everyone keeps talking like they are milk jug cap sized. the thing i found is like a black rubber, and the size of a cap from a soda bottle (the glass ones) by the way, thanks for all your help chris

 

[chris c]

Originally posted by jgilbs
everyone keeps talking like they are milk jug cap sized. the thing i found is like a black rubber, and the size of a cap from a soda bottle (the glass ones) by the way, thanks for all your help chris

no problem...

freeze out plugs are metal. usually brass i think.

 

[chris c]

how'd you make out? noticed the pic posed in your other thread. did you find the freeze out plugs? was one of them popped out?

 

[jgilbs]

ok, so it looks like my cooling system is empty. i checked my oil dipstick and it shows the engine is full of oil. is this an absolute indication that the engine is OK? i am probably gonna go buy the special tool that harbor freight sells that lets u put freeze plugs back in with the engine in the car. and, lets say it IS just a freeze plug. is there any possibility of my water pump being damaged as well?

 

[V8BoatBuilder]

First find the freeze plug that popped out. Then refill the cooling system with antifreeze. Take it from there.

Good chance the waterpump is broken, since you tried to run it with ice around the impeller. But watch your temperature gauge carefully. Don't assume the worst untill you're sure of the problem.

 

[TheRookie]

I doubt you could weld a block with a 110 welder. Just doesnt make enough power to weld anything close to that thick.

 

[chris c]

Originally posted by TheRookie
I doubt you could weld a block with a 110 welder. Just doesnt make enough power to weld anything close to that thick.

that is why i said depending where... if it's just craked near the water jacket you can seal it with a 110 bead. won't repair it structurally but it will hold water and keep it on the road for a while.

your water pump is probably toast.... just start pulling parts and checking them out bro...

 

[jgilbs]

alright, im going into the garage and im not coming out until my car works goddamnit. how hard is it to replace a waterpump?

 

[chris c]

it's not that hard. you should grab yourself a manual. look at the bright side, you're going to be an explorer mechanic by the time you finish this...

there is no way i'd take a water pump off and not replace it with a new one. sux that you don't know the other issues with your engine...