Frozen engine water?

[VAL]

What will happen to a chevy 350, if you try to start it with frozen water, no antifreeze in it?

 

[Mr Clean]

I won't do that if I we you. In all honesty if the freeze plugs are still in it probably nothing, but that again you could shear your water pump apart, I would try to warm it up with heaters, or something like that.

 

[89Suburban]

Give it a try and let us know.

 

[VAL]

Nice, 89. The reason I ask, was because I found this lady stranded, and thats what she told me happend. Apparently last summer she had her heater core replaced by a freind of hers, he had told her to buy antifreeze for it soon, and she never did. And well now her tragedy is on GMSB. Oh, and she's a hottie! I'm just tryin' to be a good samaritan!

 

[Kapdin]

Oh, and she's a hottie!

WELL WHY DIDN'T U SAY SO! lol I recently have the same problem i believe its so cold and im below 50% antifreeze that its partaly slushed but once the block gets remotly warm it works, but when im haulin down the high way i can tell its slushy in the radiator cus it starves my water pump of water and she gets hot. I know thats wats wrong cus its brand new sensor,wires,thremostat and no coolant leaks and the pump starts sounding like its empty/hollow.

 

[Kapdin]

but its also been -50+ windchill here at night.

 

[89Suburban]

Just jabbin ya VAL. Damn, might as well park it until spring, not gonna thaw that thing in those temps!!! Brrrrr!

 

[smurph20]

Unhook the lower hose and put some heat lamos on it till it dumps the water out the bottom and then start over with freshg antifreeze and water mix for the temps you have and PRAY it didnt crack a head or push the freeze plugs out the backside of the block

 

[wildcatjason]

Why not take the belt off the water pump start the engine and let the engine warm up the water. Then drain off some of the water and add antifreeze.

 

[Swims350]

big thing is she'll be lucky if the block isn't cracked or blown out some freeze plugs in a best case deal.

I've seen some bust the side out.

 

[HotRodPC]

Why not take the belt off the water pump start the engine and let the engine warm up the water. Then drain off some of the water and add antifreeze.

This is what I was going to suggest. Take the belt off and fire it up.

big thing is she'll be lucky if the block isn't cracked or blown out some freeze plugs in a best case deal.

I've seen some bust the side out.

This is true, but if the damage is done, the damage is done. Starting it up is not going to damage it anymore than it already is. I say there is a good chance the motor is just fine. At worst, a couple freeze plugs might be popped out.

Reason I suggest this...If she ran it without AnitFreeze/Coolant, the water doesn't have the anti evaporation properties. So driving it with water, she probably evaporated some water everytime she drove it, making the water level low enough, there was room for the water to expand as it froze saving the block, and the heads should be fine for sure if it was a bit low on water. One can hope and that's all you can do. Whatever damage is done, is already done so at this point, not a thing to lose by firing it up so long as the belt is off the pump just in case there is some water in the pump. With the belt off, you can also spin the fan by hand to see if it is indeed frozen. If not, put the belt back on and run the bitch and look for water leaks as it thaws.