Coolant froze, Freeze plugs popped out.

[CompuBob_TSi]

not on my DSM, my boss's DSM was filled with water and it froze overnight, but it seems like all, or at least two of the plugs popped out. I really hope the block is not cracked..
if they do pop out what is the chance of the block being cracked?

 

[lAsErfWd]

No real way to tell untill you check but if the plugs came out maybe it relieved some stress off the block from the water freezing and it did not crack.

 

[bpestilence]

FYI the "freeze plugs" are not there to protect the block against freezing. They are there due to the sand casting process, and offer no protection against block failure. My bet is that the block is either cracked or warped.

 

[timloomis]

Put them in and fill it up, that's the only way to check unless you wanna pull it. Mine where out when the block was sitting outside, the guy I bought it from did it. The head was off and ice was in the cylinders. But like I said, the head was off and it wasnt full of water.

 

[Infiltrate2000]

My friend had the same thing happen, he got lucky and nothing happened to his motor. Put new ones back in if you have to, and refill it with coolant and hope for the best.

 

[absolute_DSM]

FYI the "freeze plugs" are not there to protect the block against freezing. They are there due to the sand casting process, and offer no protection against block failure. My bet is that the block is either cracked or warped.

x2 The plugs are called welch plugs. Sometimes core plugs.

 

[phillabaum03]

Well you said it froze over night and they popped out. Does that mean he noticed they were out when he he went to start it in the morning. Im sure theres a much better change the blocks fine if the engine was not ran with the freezing water in there..

 

[CompuBob_TSi]

Well you said it froze over night and they popped out. Does that mean he noticed they were out when he he went to start it in the morning. Im sure theres a much better change the blocks fine if the engine was not ran with the freezing water in there..

no, it wasn't supposed to be left outside during the night, when I arrived in the morning I saw it outside and immediately knew that it must have froze, so I popped the hood and there is a front freeze plug laying behind the turbo.. and one in the rear must be missing also.. I moved the car a few feet and it warmed up a little bit (had it running for about 45 seconds) and water started coming out of the holes. Also the water pump/alternator belt is off, so I didn't damage the waterpump by making it turn in ice.

I had my own DSM freeze last year, the coolant mixture was bad, or it was just old, but I let it sit for two days and came back and it was solid just like this, it didn't pop any plugs but I let the engine idle, with a big heater infront of the radiator and a smaller heater inside running with the vent fans on, so it defrosted the heater core, after 20 min or so, it was good to go. Hopefully I can get the manifolds off and put the plugs back in and it will be fine.

 

[phillabaum03]

yeah i wouldn't start it up with frozen water in it. I would take it inside the garage and let it thaw out. Its probably going to take awhile. I wouldn't chance having the block head heat up and having the freezing cold water in it.

 

[turbobird14]

i had the same thing happen to me this year... not on my dsm but my winter car.. the water pump was frozen and it actually started... but tore apart my drive belt!!