Freezing Temps

Post by **cuhfs** » 11 Nov 2017, 08:06

Just bought a 2003 XC70 needing a new head-gasket and am getting the head milled and ready for re-installation. Prior owner used water instead of antifreeze so now I do not know if any water is still in the block and temperatures outside are getting below 32 degrees. I did open the drain on the block near the passenger firewall but that seems up kinda high. Is their a drain at the bottom of the block I need to open? IS this an issue I need to be concerned about?

Post by **oragex** » 11 Nov 2017, 09:05

There is a drain at the bottom of the radiator, trough a hole in the subframe. It is very fragile (google up). While there time replace the thermostat ($100) if it's original.

Post by **cuhfs** » 11 Nov 2017, 09:22

Radiator is drained. Is that all I need to do for winter freezing prevention of the block?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 11 Nov 2017, 09:43

The coolant hoses on the oil cooler on the back of the block is probably the lowest place you'll reach. I'd disconnect that then pour some coolant in the system to mix with whatever is left, even though it sounds like to can't run the water pump.

The radiator drain alone will only give you about a third of the total coolant. Radiator + rear of the block about two thirds together.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Nov 2017, 09:50

Rick..is car inside or outside? If its in just putting an old light bulb under it, turned on , will keep it from freezing

Post by **cuhfs** » 11 Nov 2017, 11:15

Outside unfortunately. Car can't be run head is at machine shop. any easy way to pump in antifreeze to bottom end of engine block?

Post by **oragex** » 11 Nov 2017, 12:10

Rattnalle wrote: ↑11 Nov 2017, 09:43 Radiator + rear of the block about two thirds together.

Are you sure it's not all the coolant with these two? Technically these should drain the whole volume, speaking from a design point of view.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 11 Nov 2017, 12:14

1) The head is off so just pour some down the water jacket. It'll swish around, mix and protect your block.

2) The hoses to the oil cooler and the cooler itself would benefit from having their water either purged or diluted with antifreeze.
You'll have to remove the crimped clamps holding the hose(s) to the cooler. This will drain the pipes which feed the cooler.
Blow out as much water as you can with lung pressure. Use a length of scrap hose to force antifreeze into the pipes from above.

3) Make certain the water is out of your heater core too.

4) I'm not sure about this but....I thought heads on overhead cam engines didn't get milled.
Removing material will change the valve timing IIRC.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 11 Nov 2017, 12:24

oragex wrote: ↑11 Nov 2017, 12:10
Rattnalle wrote: ↑11 Nov 2017, 09:43 Radiator + rear of the block about two thirds together.
Are you sure it's not all the coolant with these two? Technically these should drain the whole volume, speaking from a design point of view.

From experience they don't although I agree that the should. Somewhere around 5,5-6 liters out of the 8 will pour out through those two on my car. Currently my coolant is purple because of that, new red plus left over old blue (explicitly mixable though).