-2 outside and it overheated!
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
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From: Indianapolis, IN
-2 outside and it overheated!
ok, so i live in indy. it was -2 out this morning when i tried to start my truck. The battery doesnt have enough CCA's, so I had to jump it. Got it started, let it run for 20 minutes before i attempted to drive it. Got it, heater was blowing cold air. Didnt think anything about it since it is darn cold out. Floor shifter didnt want to work, finally got it in gear and started going. Went about a quarter mile, and i looked down at the temp gauge, and its at redline! Turned around and headed towards home, had to shut motor off because it was way too hot! steam was coming out from under the hood! I had to push the thing a quarter mile by myself! Not fun!
Thermostat?
Hose blockage?
Head gasket?
Maybe just too cold for the truck?
oh, its a 78 f100 custom, 300 I6, 3 speed manual tranny...truck was just fine yesterday, no problems at all...
Thermostat?
Hose blockage?
Head gasket?
Maybe just too cold for the truck?
oh, its a 78 f100 custom, 300 I6, 3 speed manual tranny...truck was just fine yesterday, no problems at all...
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
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From: Indianapolis, IN
idk to be honest. my main concern was pushing it out of the road so it wouldnt get towed, and then getting my butt inside where its warm.
getting ready to head back to the truck in a few, gonna check the fluid level, if thats good im gonna start it up and drive it the 1/8th mile home so I can work on it.
Like i said, it was just fine yesterday. yesterday it was about 14 here...
getting ready to head back to the truck in a few, gonna check the fluid level, if thats good im gonna start it up and drive it the 1/8th mile home so I can work on it.
Like i said, it was just fine yesterday. yesterday it was about 14 here...
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2010
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Caledon ON
88 fingers louie....lol
I bet the rad is either frozen or has at least gone slushy not allowing coolant to flow. Hopefully you didn't pop anything if this is the case.
I bet the rad is either frozen or has at least gone slushy not allowing coolant to flow. Hopefully you didn't pop anything if this is the case.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 79
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From: Indianapolis, IN
I'm pretty sure i didnt, i cut it off as soon as the temp got to redline. its wasnt steaming bad, just a little.
But ya, hopefully!
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
All good advice so far. Really the only solution would be to flush the cooling system, install a new thermostat, and replace the antifreeze. That's the only way to know that all of these items are in order, if these items haven't been serviced since you bought the truck. As the others have said, you'll want to carefully check that the block isn't cracked or popped a freeze plug in the event that the coolant froze.
Antifreeze is supposed to expand the range that the coolant stays in liquid form so the freezing point is below the freezing point of water (hence the term anti-freeze). It increases the boiling point as well. As skidoodave pointed out - you're not worried about something popping from when it overheated - it's the night before when it froze that you're worried about. Water expands as it freezes. The point of freeze plugs is to provide a path for the coolant to escape and avoid cracking the block, but they don't always go.
Antifreeze is supposed to expand the range that the coolant stays in liquid form so the freezing point is below the freezing point of water (hence the term anti-freeze). It increases the boiling point as well. As skidoodave pointed out - you're not worried about something popping from when it overheated - it's the night before when it froze that you're worried about. Water expands as it freezes. The point of freeze plugs is to provide a path for the coolant to escape and avoid cracking the block, but they don't always go.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Indianapolis, IN
alright guys, an update.
Radiator is frozen solid. the fluids that were in the motor / heater core are now blown all over the engine bay from the top hose. No biggie.
Checked everything, didn't pop anything, everything is all good. Motor ran fine on the short trip home. Heated up quick, but thats cuz there isnt any fluids in the motor!
So now I have to flush and fill the system. Any ideas on how the heck im going to accomplish that considering the temp and no garage?
Thanks for the help guys!
Radiator is frozen solid. the fluids that were in the motor / heater core are now blown all over the engine bay from the top hose. No biggie.
Checked everything, didn't pop anything, everything is all good. Motor ran fine on the short trip home. Heated up quick, but thats cuz there isnt any fluids in the motor!
So now I have to flush and fill the system. Any ideas on how the heck im going to accomplish that considering the temp and no garage?
Thanks for the help guys!
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
You can use a propane torpedo space heater and a tarp. Just be careful you dont burn your truck down!!!! Use the tarp to contain as much heat as possible around the motor. And dont leave it unattended. Ive done this many times on heavy equipment and semi trucks when it was -30 to -40 and the engine oil would set up like jello or the diesel fuel was gelled up. Aim the space heater under the oil pan and let the heat rise. You just really have to pay attention to what youre doing to keep from burning things up. Another alternative is a propane weed burner and do the same thing.
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Indianapolis, IN
ya, that was my idea too....but i dont have a space heater readily available!
thinking maybe i'll just take the radiator out and bring it in the house and set in the bathtub till it thaws...
thinking maybe i'll just take the radiator out and bring it in the house and set in the bathtub till it thaws...
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 16
From: Ideeho
If the radiator is frozen, chances are the coolant in the block is too; not to mention the heater hoses and core. Usually the rental places have space heaters to rent. I doubt one would cost much to rent for half a day. Might look into it. It may save you some hassle.