oh SH*T no anti freeze

[Bellend]

Haven't read the whole thread but a couple of tips.

Once thawed or whatever, you aren't protecting anything by topping up the expansion tank with antifreeze. 

You need a FULL mix of 50/50 antifreeze & water and NEED to run it until the thermostat has opened.

If you just bung loads in and don't run it up to temp you're not doing a great deal.

[The Mighty Elvi]

[Ben Lessani]

Right, just been out to check as well as i can, and the bottom feed into the water pump is squishy and the top one isnt quite solid (you can crush it easily)

So im thinking warm stuff? As there isnt 'solid' ice anywhere???

No. The problem isn't melting the ice, its the damage it has done!

... You really should pressure test the system, check for risen core plugs and check the condition of the waterpump bearings/impeller before even thinking of starting.

Right, got my head screwed on again now so lets start again.

Been out just now and took off the bottom pipe which let out lots of slush, so i can assume for now that the waterpump is drained. I also undid the top pipe to reveal a rad full of ice.

Where abouts are the core plugs on a 16v engine, had a look about with my phone but couldnt really see propperly but nothing seemed to be pushed out of place. I can only assume this means one of two things...

a: the block froze and didnt push the plugs out (or what i think are the plugs)
b: the block isnt fully frozen
 :embarassed:

Core plugs are at the back of the block - you can't see them, but you can feel them.
You should take the water pump off, and make sure the ice didn't damage the impeller or bearing

[Sam]

Roger that! Over and out. Job for tommorow. Is the water pump just on the fan belt or is it on the timing chain?

[Ben Lessani]

Roger that! Over and out. Job for tommorow. Is the water pump just on the fan belt or is it on the timing chain?

I would have thought aux belt (fan belt), but I've never dismantled a 16v.

[Chris-White]

Roger that! Over and out. Job for tommorow. Is the water pump just on the fan belt or is it on the timing chain?

I would have thought aux belt (fan belt), but I've never dismantled a 16v.

indeed, no timing chain involved.

[danny_p]

same as 8 valve, but if you havent run it and it wasent frozen when you parked it it'll be fine.

if there is slush in there you probaly fine tbh,   when its slush water / ice mix can move so no hydralic pressure the moment it starts solidifying as the waterways freeze from the outside in the ice round the outside keeps the water in the midel of waterways from escapeing as it freezes and builds up pressure.

heater matrix and radiator are normaly victims of ice tho

[Sam]

same as 8 valve, but if you havent run it and it wasent frozen when you parked it it'll be fine.

if there is slush in there you probaly fine tbh,   when its slush water / ice mix can move so no hydralic pressure the moment it starts solidifying as the waterways freeze from the outside in the ice round the outside keeps the water in the midel of waterways from escapeing as it freezes and builds up pressure.

heater matrix and radiator are normaly victims of ice tho

Yer i was thinking about the matrix this morning, gonna bring the rad inside to thaw and pop to a garage to see if they can pressure test it and look at trying to get to the waterpump (not exactly alot of space in my car cos of all the pipework). Although I do have confidence that the waterpump never actually froze. Will check my core plugs too.

After i have done all this is it recomended that i start my engine to let it all thaw, obv keeping an eye on it all?

P.S found a good way to de-frost my rad, central heating on, rad on top of outlet, me sat inside warm

[Ben Lessani]

If the rad froze, its probably doomed! Last year mine blew about 4 holes!

Here's to hoping everything else is ok!

[redgolf]

you really should of used VAG G12 to be honest lol im guessing your uber winter anti freeze wasnt as good as you thought