Cold weather question
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 413
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From: Denver USA
Cold weather question
Ok, I feel dumb for asking this but antifreeze has never been a big deal since I always fill 50/50, just haven't had the time to do it yet to my "new" truck.
But....my "new" '79 just came up from Phoenix Arizona, and I know very little about it's history as the owner was in the hospital at the time I picked it up. Denver is about to get hit with below zero temps and it is stored outside. The antifreeze looks pretty green, but I am worried about freezing the block.
Should I simply un-cap the radiator to allow for any expansion due to freezing? Do the cheap hydrometers from an auto parts store give accurate freeze ratings?
It already dis-likes the cold, very difficult to start, I think the choke must be bad. Plus no heater, get to have fun changing the A/C heater core too. I plan on changing every fluid in it this weekend but the cold is going to set in for a few days before then.
But....my "new" '79 just came up from Phoenix Arizona, and I know very little about it's history as the owner was in the hospital at the time I picked it up. Denver is about to get hit with below zero temps and it is stored outside. The antifreeze looks pretty green, but I am worried about freezing the block.
Should I simply un-cap the radiator to allow for any expansion due to freezing? Do the cheap hydrometers from an auto parts store give accurate freeze ratings?
It already dis-likes the cold, very difficult to start, I think the choke must be bad. Plus no heater, get to have fun changing the A/C heater core too. I plan on changing every fluid in it this weekend but the cold is going to set in for a few days before then.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,643
Likes: 8
From: NE Texas
Originally posted by fordman428
if your worried about it add some straight antifreeze to it, it wont hurt it, and it will get you by till you change the fluids.
if your worried about it add some straight antifreeze to it, it wont hurt it, and it will get you by till you change the fluids.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
You could go to an auto parts store and buy one of those antfreeze testers to determine if it is rated to the low temps you might expect, worse case. They aren't expensive and are kinda handy to keep in the garage.
