Was just talking to a friend today, and he was saying that if there isn't enough antifreeze in your coolant, it can freeze, and crack your block.

I know I'm a little low on the coolant side, so how concerned should I be?

(It does get very cold here, Kamloops British Columbia)

The car is being 'stored' in my carport. It's just covered, but not startable (didn't quite finish what I was doing before it started getting cold, so it's a few hours of work to get the car cranking.)

So, if I do need to add more coolant how could I do that? I really don't wanna have to jack the car up and drain some out of the block.

(I know I can add more to the rad, but that won't help get extra coolant into the block I don't figure..)

 

You can buy a cheap "tool" at the auto parts store that will tell you how much freeze protection you have by sampling the coolant. Yes, you can definitely crack a block if it freezes.

It doesn't get very cold in Kamloops? It's going to be 16 tonight where I am.

 

Yup, I'm going tonight to pick up one of those tools. If I do find that the coolant is too low, what can I do to up it?

It does get rather cold in kamloops. It can commonly get to -20 degrees C (Or about -13 F)

Coldest it has gotten so far according to the weather pages historical data for this year is -15C or 5F.

I'm hoping I have not done any damage yet.

 

Got a tester and the coolant is only good to -12C or +10F. It has been colder then that. This sucks.

I checked under car for all it's worth, and didn't see anything. I also went ahead and plugged the block heater in, hopefully that might help. I need to figure out how ot get the coolant out of the block, or more antifreeze into the block, help.

 

You need to add coolant!! Even if you dont crack the block you can cause a lot of damage. Cracked radiator, etc. Its not worth it.

 

Thanks, but I fully understand that. I'm trying to figure out how to get the system up to a good protected level without a running car..

I can drain the rad, and add coolant, that is not a problem, but I don't know how to get additional coolant into the block.

 

You could drain everything, radiator and block.

 

I don't know if there will really be an "easy" way or not, but you might have to drain the block (there should be a plug on either side of the block) and then to fill it up, maybe pull the thermostat housing and pour the antifreeze in there 'til it's full? Anyone else think of a better idea?

 

Just drain it and leave the drain plugs out. If there is little to nothing in there, it won't freeze (or if it does, it will have a way to expand).

 

Yeah, just drain it all out. Don't worry about refilling until your ready to drive the car. Water can't expand if it's not in there.

-Shannon

 

The car's block has "freeze plugs" to prevent this but yes, it theoretically could crack the block anyway. Regardless, I wouldn't chance it. Just make sure you have the proper anti-freeze/water mix and you'll be fine.

 

Just dont forget to fill it up again in the spring.

You will be just fine leaving the block drained, but if you want to be **** about it, Capn Pete had it right. It's very simple to pull the thermostat.