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View Full Version : Frozen SR20....Never thought it would happen to me


Sileighty_85
01-11-2010, 11:11 PM
So i was TDY for the last two weeks unfourtunatly i was not here when a retarded cold front hit this place for a week like 10's which is really uncommon for the ArkLaTex area for the 3 years ive lived here.

I only had water in the rad... I had coolant leak and just kept adding water so i guess all the coolant was eventually flushed out......
but the car has been down for the last 4 months due my PFC crashing so i havent driven it. Shits been heptic for the last 5 months with these NSI inspections so it totally slipped my mind.

Well anyway i get home this morning to find my Koyo Rad completely frozen, Rad Hoses frozen and the block... the freeze plugs are still intact

but i cracked open the block drain but only about a Tspn of water came out.
I dont think the block froze solid, maybe like a packed down snow ball, i could break it up with a screw driver real easy.

I know it was too late but i poured in as much antifreeze as i could and let the block thaw, coolant level was still the same when i came out to crank it.

well I tried cranking it (cranked fine no different sounds) but no luck unless theres a plug that i forgot to connect. I opened the oil fill cap to the sight a little bit of brown oil, It appears water might be mixing with the oil.....

Im hoping the head is just warped causing the HG to blow. I dont think the cylinder walls cracked since the the engine cranks over fine.

anybody delt with this problem?
is it likely my head cracked?
Just wondering what to look for.

Its a built SR20, Power Enterprise H/G and ARP H/S.

Time is short right now, working 12 hour shifts and possibly working this weekend

s14unimog
01-12-2010, 08:16 AM
Where did you see this, "little bit of brown oil?" On the intake cam lobe or something? I wouldn't panic and go straight to thinking the head gasket is done. Drain your oil if you're that concerned. I bought an SR car that had pushed out a freeze and it didn't damage the head gasket, if that's any comfort for ya. Remember that the front "freeze plugs" are not actually freeze plugs but merely caps. The ones you need to check are on the back of the head.

Sileighty_85
01-12-2010, 02:28 PM
Where did you see this, "little bit of brown oil?" On the intake cam lobe or something? I wouldn't panic and go straight to thinking the head gasket is done. Drain your oil if you're that concerned. I bought an SR car that had pushed out a freeze and it didn't damage the head gasket, if that's any comfort for ya. Remember that the front "freeze plugs" are not actually freeze plugs but merely caps. The ones you need to check are on the back of the head.

Yeah it was on top of the intake cam lobe, i wouldnt be surprised if there was a crap load of condensation inside too.

Haha that does make me feel a little bit better lol I probably will drain the oil any way

Yeah I checked the sides and the rear couldnt see one popped out.
coolant level hasnt changed since yesterday.

s14unimog
01-12-2010, 02:51 PM
^ yeah I don't know man. I would check the vital fluids and just move from there; not much else you can do...

GL with it.

Sileighty_85
02-01-2010, 09:59 AM
She LIVES!!!!!

I guess the battery was too weak to build up compression that day. So i finally got around to charge up the battery and try one more time for shits and giggles before i throw a compression tester on it.

Fired up like normal and sounded beautiful.

Just need to change the oil, and replace the rack and pinion (preexisting problem) and she how she does under a load.

Man that is such a relief, i was not looking forward to pull that engine and replace the head gasket on it.

Only ran it for a few minutes but luckily i didnt see any bubbles so i guess that means nothing cracked

jspaeth
02-01-2010, 10:09 AM
I honestly am no expert, but my first instinct would be to say don't assume you are in the clear until you see no bubbles or leakage AFTER the car has warmed up to operating temp and everything has expanded, etc.

But that's really awesome that it is looking like you are gonna be okay.

:rawk:

Sileighty_85
02-01-2010, 10:14 AM
I honestly am no expert, but my first instinct would be to say don't assume you are in the clear until you see no bubbles or leakage AFTER the car has warmed up to operating temp and everything has expanded, etc.

But that's really awesome that it is looking like you are gonna be okay.

:rawk:

Yeah i know i keep telling myself that but i cant help to be excited, but its definitely a good sign seeing that the first time she wouldnt even start.

kikcaffine
02-01-2010, 10:16 AM
Be lucky it didnt pop the radiator either.

Sileighty_85
02-01-2010, 10:18 AM
Be lucky it didnt pop the radiator either.

I know that was one thing i thought about.
I was totally surprised the Rad didnt crack