Not Starting... advice please

Nitesky · 01-10-2004, 01:05 AM

Thank you in advance to anyone that can offer any advice as to what is going on.

Last night the car, a 95 automatic sedan, drove fine and there was no apparent problems and it was parked outside overnight. During the night the temperature went down to about 20 F and snowed. Upon going outside today to try and start it when it was turned on the battery indicator immediately turned on and there was a crunching (I can't really describe it any better) noise from under the hood. Also, the steering appeared to not have any effect on the car. The wheel can be turned if you try to, just doesn't do anything. Some other info that may help is the battery was recently replaced (October I believe).

Thanks again.

tristanlee85 · 01-10-2004, 01:14 AM

How is your antifreeze? I had a similar problem the other day, but I think it was because when I replaced my radiator, I didn't get a 50/50 mixture and the waterpump and other cracks were froze and the engine couldn't start.

vms150 · 01-10-2004, 01:17 AM

I dont think that the cold has anything to do with the starting because it went below 0 where i live for the past 2 nights and mine starts fine. (yes i do park it outside) although it may effect the power steering pump because mine whines like hell in the morning for a long time. (damn that steering wheel is cold in the morning, and to think of it the shift knob is even colder!)

tristanlee85 · 01-10-2004, 01:33 AM

Well, it'll only have something to do with it if your antifreeze is weak, like mine, which is mostly water.

Nitesky · 01-10-2004, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristanlee85

How is your antifreeze? I had a similar problem the other day, but I think it was because when I replaced my radiator, I didn't get a 50/50 mixture and the waterpump and other cracks were froze and the engine couldn't start.

Actually, this may be of help, since when the car was brought into a shop over the summer I noticed they had filled the antifreeze with water. Any advice on remedying this? And would this have any effect on the battery?

Thanks again.

Robert-sl2 · 01-10-2004, 02:02 AM

If the rad is filled entirely with water... THATS BAD! Lol, water freezes @ 32 degrees compared to the wayyy lower temp of the antifreeze. Our cars take a 50/50 mix of coolant and water, with both coolant types (DexCool (orange) and Green stuff).

If this is the case, you should definately drain the system and refill it with the proper mix. Which is a DIY project for the most part.

Also, if the systems did in fact freeze, make sure to watch for leaks now since the water will expand and break our plastic radiator tanks and other parts.

tristanlee85 · 01-10-2004, 02:04 AM

I won't have an effect on the battery. When you tried to start your car, did it start, or just try to start, but wouldn't fire? My battery semed dead, and it turned over like 2 times, and then it couldn't turn anymore. The water pump had to have been frozen because of the liquid mixture. If the pump and crank is frozen, the engine isn't going to be able to turn over and fire. If you think that it is your antifreeze, go to the store and buy the pre-mixed 50/50, drain your radiator, and fill it with what you got from the store.

Nitesky · 01-10-2004, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert-sl2

If the rad is filled entirely with water... THATS BAD! Lol, water freezes @ 32 degrees compared to the wayyy lower temp of the antifreeze. Our cars take a 50/50 mix of coolant and water, with both coolant types (DexCool (orange) and Green stuff).

If this is the case, you should definately drain the system and refill it with the proper mix. Which is a DIY project for the most part.

Also, if the systems did in fact freeze, make sure to watch for leaks now since the water will expand and break our plastic radiator tanks and other parts.

It is not acutally totally water, it is just a much higher proportion than it probably should be. I am actually going to go see if i can correct this mixture now.

Thanks.

Robert-sl2 · 01-10-2004, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristanlee85

go to the store and buy the pre-mixed 50/50, drain your radiator, and fill it with what you got from the store.

If you are refilling the whole system, dont waste the $$$ on premixed stuff. You'll spend twice as much as you need to. around here premixed and concentrated are the same price. So with the concentrate you'll get twice as much... make snese?

wolfman · 01-10-2004, 03:15 AM

If it is just a concentration issue (not enough) with the antifreeze, AND you CAN get the car to start, you need only drain the resevoir tank (by what ever means you find easiest) and refill IT with pure undiluted antifreeze. Once the engine starts it will mix this with the existing coolant mix quite quickly and increase the concentration by about 20~25% which should be more than enough to solve this issue. (WATCH THE TEMP GAUGE! it may overheat due to slush or ice in the radiator! If it does, SHUT OFF THE CAR for about 1/2 hour to allow for blending) If the coolant is actually frozen at this point in the engine, it WILL need to be thawed out. This means moving the car to a heated garage for at least 4~6 hours depending on the temperature of the garage, just adding antifreeze to an already frozen system will have NO AFFECT on it.