URGENT HELP NEEDED!

[Coach66]

Morning,

I ran my 2.2 petrol for about 15 miles three days ago and suddenly it lost power and stopped. Coolant pipes were frozen and Oil was added by it still won't start. It's like a wheezy old man coughing.

Help please,  can't afford a new car.

[Guest]

Hi Bud

It's a bit difficult to help but - You say your coolant pipes were frozen?  That surely won't help

Why did you add Oil - I'm guessing to the engine?  Are you running it on a low Oil level?  It's not something to do randomly for sure.

You also say it won't start - But then add it's like a wheezy old man coughing?  Is it starting but not running for very long, or does it run but badly?

[Coach66]

It's didn't start and when I tried it the starter motor engaged but it didn't fire. I now need to charge the battery to try again. Any ideas would be great.

[Old Peter]

I am thinking that it is a fuel issue.

I am just wondering if the fuel pipes a somewhat blocked.

Peter.

 

[Coach66]

It may be. I'd done around 12 miles before it happened at around 60mph though.

[Guest]

Hi Rob and Welcome to the Club,

Had the car been standing unused for a long time before this journey? Is it a diesel or petrol engine?

If the coolant was frozen you will need to make sure it is thoroughly thawed before doing anything else. Do not start the engine until it is thawed out and if you do start it do not let it run for more than a few moments. Frozen coolant suggests either the anti-freeze has broken down completely or it never had any in it to begin with. As you probably know water expands as it freezes and can do considerable damage to the cooling system itself and, in worst case scenarios, can damage the engine block and cylinder head.

When the coolant has thawed sufficiently, check the radiators, all hoses and hose connections for leaks to identify anything that may need to be replaced or repaired. Come what may you will need to drain the coolant and replace it with a suitable mix of anti-freeze and water (distilled preferably). While you're waiting for the coolant to thaw check around the cylinder head gaskets to see if there are any obvious points of failure and also inspect the cylinder head(s) and engine blocks for cracks or fluid leaks. Get yourself a new supply of engine Oil and empty the sump - you will need to inspect the old Oil for water contamination - leave the old Oil to stand for a few minutes after emptying it out - water will float on the surface of the oil and ion theres a lot is should be fairly obvious, small amounts may look like a milky coating. If you find water here you're probably looking at a blown water gallery inside the engine block or cylinder head.

Don't despair yet, I've seen many an engine frozen solid before and they've been fine after they have been thawed out. 

Peter is probably right about it being a fuel issue though but you do need to make sure that the above is taken care of before investigating that avenue.

Keep us posted and good luck,

Steve 

[Coach66]

Thanks. I have a man coming out tonight to look at it. Hopefully a relatively easy to change pipe as the coolant level is non existent.

[Guest]

Hi again Rob,

I was thinking about this after wondering off from my pc and realised I had forgotten to ask if you were comfortable handling the oily bits. Fingers crossed it's just a burst pipe but thats more likely to be just another symptom of the coolant freezing. Your man will hopefully check for other damage and, if he has a suitable ODB2 code reader can tell you what DTCs have been recorded.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

Steve

[Guest]

Did you get a fix buddy??  Hope it was not too costly

[Coach66]

Unfortunately not. I killed it. Engine blocks run for 15 miles at 50mph with no coolant give up too easily in my opinion. Lol.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone.