Engine and coolant frozen

**Wellyboot** · 11-01-2009,01:29 PM

Hello all, hope you can help. I am new to the site and need some help. If I have posted this in the wrong section, I apologise now. Still trying to navigate my way around!!

I have an Audi 80 Sport 2.0 1990 (think 8v)

Not any fault of my own (just got car towed to may house after purchase) to find the coolant reservoir, hoses all frozen. Now, this probably means the coolant in the block is frozen. I have no garage, and need to 'defrost' her.

Any ideas? She has not been started or run whilst frozen and will not be.
Will the head be cracked? anyway of finding out?

yours truly, a despaired 'what have I gone and bought' man....Happy new year

**zollaf** · 11-01-2009,03:27 PM

welcome. the best thing to do is wait until the weather is not freezing and the coolant thaws out< like today>. check the level, check theres no water in the oil , and if all appears ok, start her up. you may be lucky and not have done any damage, or you may have popped a core plug out. you would be very unlucky to have cracked the head or block, but it does happen. if she holds water once running, get her up to temperature and just keep an eye on things. get it hot, make sure the fan comes on and she holds pressure. once you are happy with it and there are definately no leaks, drop the water and refil with antifreeze mix. then give it a test drive. i wouldnt test drive it with just water in though, as this can still freeze in the radiator even with a hot engine.

**Col** · 11-01-2009,03:27 PM

The only way is to let nature take its course and let it thaw as today it is now warmner.

The only way to tell if any damage has been caused is to run it.

Look first to see if anything obvious has happened like a core plug has been forced out by any ice etc.

Gutted for you by the way.

**Wellyboot** · 11-01-2009,07:30 PM

Thank you everyone! Good quick replies! It still hasn't thawed out though. With warm tap water in a watering can, i have defrosted the tank, hoses and rad. Might take water pump off to be on the safe side. Not much sun where i am! Just going 2 be patient. Hope she's ok, as body work, interior, and history is superb. Keep you updated. Keep the ideas coming though. How about hose pipe on hot tap and try and flush system through?

**zollaf** · 11-01-2009,07:35 PM

not thawed out yet, where do you live, up north ? a hair dryer pointing at the block may speed things up for you.

**Wellyboot** · 11-01-2009,08:32 PM

Tee tee! No, deepest darkest kent! In a valley. So still very dark and frosty here! I'll keep trying. I'll try the hair dryer 2. Bonnet open so sun can shine on it. Patience! Just want 2 have a drive! All will be checked and serviced though before test run

**Col** · 11-01-2009,10:06 PM

I wouldn't bother.

Trying to thaw out an engine block with a hair drier is akin to digging the channel tunnel with a teaspoon.

i.e. It will make no difference at all. !

**zollaf** · 11-01-2009,11:06 PM

never seen shawshank redemption then

**Wellyboot** · 12-01-2009,12:12 AM

Very good. He has a point! Well, we'll see how we get on tomorrow. Anyone know where the core plugs are?

**zollaf** · 12-01-2009,09:14 AM

a few years back, on a very cold & snowy day, i had to thaw out a rover that was frozen solid. i put a 500w flood lamp over the engine, and a hairdryer facing the block. it took a while but it did thaw out enough to get it started. once some antifreeze was added it was ok. no damage done fortunately.
im not sure where all the core plugs are, but once you have it thawed out you will soon tell if any have popped.they are literally metal plates pressed into holes in the engine. most are on the outside, but there may be ones that you need to take the head off to get to, and usually one at the back behind the flywheel. hopefully by now she has thawed out and you will find out if shes holding water or not.