Frozen water in the engine: what to do to thaw

Let's add, that the water does not necessarily freeze in the engine as soon as the temperature drops to zero. For complete freezing, the car must be in an open parking lot at zero temperature for some time (from 24 hours and more). If the temperature drops even more, then the freezing process can be significantly accelerated. For this reason before emergence of antifreeze drivers were compelled to drain water from the engine before winter parking, then before the trip warm water was refilled into the system.

We also recommend reading the article about it, which is better, antifreeze or antifreeze. In this article you will learn about the main differences, advantages and disadvantages of these types of fluids for the engine cooling system.

An additional way to prevent rapid freezing of water is to insulate the radiator and engine. Usually this solution allows you to not drain the water from the engine in winter, given the long parking, as the heater allows to slow down process of cooling of the warmed-up engine.

How to defrost the engine, if the water is frozen

• Let's start with that, that water is usually used by owners of fairly old cars. The primary sign of freezing is usually ice in the expansion tank. If there is such an opportunity, in this case, it is better not to start the car. The point is, that when you try to start significantly increases the risk of damage to the pump impeller. The car in this case is optimally delivered by tow to the heated room, warm box or garage. Then there will be natural warming, then the water must be drained and diagnosed. If no faults are detected, then it remains to rinse the system and pour antifreeze. This method is considered the most correct and rational.
• In that case, if this is not possible, then you should first check the degree of freezing, since ice in the tank does not always mean, that the water in the cooling system is completely frozen. Many motorists recommend this method, when the drive is removed from the pump, then start the engine for a few minutes (not more 5). In this case, there will be no circulation of liquid in the jacket cooling, but the power unit does not have time to overheat. Then the engine should be stopped, take a few minutes to pause and run on again 5 minutes. Several such approaches will suffice, to melt the ice in the system. Additionally, you can pre-insulate the engine and radiator before the first start. It is also necessary to warm up the pump before starting. To do this, the pump is wrapped in rags, which are watered with hot water. The disadvantage of this method is that, that on many cars the pump is driven by a timing belt, that is to remove a belt and then to start the engine it will not turn out. In this case, the car must be warmed up in a warm box.
• If the driver started the engine, but there is a suspicion of frozen water in the radiator, then the degree of freezing of water in the engine can also be determined using a thermometer or as a result of steam, coming from the steam outlet tube. This will appear after the start and some warm-up of the internal combustion engine.
  The point is, that after freezing in the bottom part of a radiator the stopper from ice is created. As a result, the water stops its normal circulation in the system and boils after heating. Another sign of an ice plug is the temperature difference at the bottom, middle and upper part of the radiator. The lower and middle part will be cold, while the top will be very hot.
• Freezing of water in the lower pipeline is determined tactilely and visually. To do this, simply check the connecting hose, and open the drain cock and make sure there is no leaking water. In such a situation, you will need to defrost the ice in the pipeline, as well as at the bottom of the radiator. This is done with rags and hot water. The pipe and the lower part of the radiator are covered with rags, on which hot water is poured. It is necessary to warm up a radiator from that party, where it is connected to the engine cooling jacket piping. Another auxiliary method is to put on the lower end of the steam tube of a piece of rubber hose, then the resulting jet of steam should be directed to the pipeline and the lower part of the radiator.

Tips

In that case, if the water in the lower pipeline has not turned to ice, it will be enough to implement high-quality insulation of the radiator and the engine itself. Then heat the water pump, then start the unit and give the motor some time to idle. Then the engine should be immediately shut down at that moment, when the water starts to boil.

We can talk about the normalization of fluid circulation in the cooling system then, when the heating of the cooling system radiator is uniform, that is, its lower part is also heated. After starting the engine and restoring water circulation in the system, it is recommended to warm up the power unit before it reaches working or close to such temperatures in the twentieth, then conduct an inspection. If leaks and other defects of the cooling system are not detected, then you can load the unit, that is, to start moving. It is recommended to closely monitor the temperature of the internal combustion engine, as freezing of water in the cooling system often leads to undesirable consequences.

Finally, let's add, that using even the cheapest antifreeze or antifreeze is a much more justifiable solution than that, to fill the system with ordinary or distilled water. The point is, that in addition to freezing in the cold season, the water is also not able to protect the parts of the cooling system from corrosion and scale. As a result, the service life of the radiator cooling radiator, pumps, thermostat and other elements are significantly reduced. If water is used in loaded modes, the engine may overheat, which affects the quality and stability of its work, fuel consumption and total engine life.