block crack in below freezing temp?

ok today this guy tried telling me that my block will crack if i dont run my car for the next couple of days because its supposed to be -16 degrees here..................i have never once heard of this before and sounds like Bs to me, so will any of our pro's here tell me this myth is busted :sly:

If you dont have the proper amount of antifreeze in your radiator/engine then yes your block can crack... But this is why manufacturers use freeze plugs (little metal caps inserted into the side of your block) so when water freezes and expands, the freeze plug pops out so your block doesnt crack. Although if your freeze plugs do not pop out you have the potential chance to crack your block.

If you have a good mixture of antifreeze and water, I wouldnt worry about it if I were you. My GST has been parked outside for almost the whole winter and my block hasnt cracked yet, its been as low as -36 with windchill here just to give you an example.

actually the real reason for the freeze plugs is that they are left over from porting the block after it's cast. freeze protection is just a extra benefit

I live in Grand Forks ND. The lowest temps I saw here have been -44 without the windchill. If your looking at subzero tempratures for extended periods of time then it would be a good idea to change to a heavier weight oil and or add a block heater to you car. (For those of you who don't know what a block heater is, it's a way to plug your car into an AC outlet to keep your block and oil warm). The other option would be to install a security system with a remote starter that includes a temp sensor. It will start the car automatically when temps reach a set limit. The car starts for about 15 mins, every hour on the hour until the outside temprature warms up. Other than that it is possible for your oil to freeze or the water in your block to freeze and crack the block.

I cant think of anything in the block that is ported, and I cant think of one other reason for the freeze plugs besides to relieve pressure from freezing coolant. Why arent they called "porting plugs?" Also, oil cant freeze. It gets super thick and hard to pump in extreme cold, but it cant solidify at the temps that we see on this planet :)

I tend to run a higher percentage of coolant/antifreeze in the winter to prevent any potential problems. Up to 70%. In the summer I run quite low, mostly water. MAybe 30-40%. Water is a better conductor of heat, just need some coolant for boilover protection, lubrication, and corrosion prevention.

I can see coolant freezing at -44 though, thats damn cold. Follow the coolant manufacturers recomendations for what percentage is required to protect to a give temp.

I cant think of anything in the block that is ported, and I cant think of one other reason for the freeze plugs besides to relieve pressure from freezing coolant. Why arent they called "porting plugs?" Also, oil cant freeze. It gets super thick and hard to pump in extreme cold, but it cant solidify at the temps that we see on this planet :)

I tend to run a higher percentage of coolant/antifreeze in the winter to prevent any potential problems. Up to 70%. In the summer I run quite low, mostly water. MAybe 30-40%. Water is a better conductor of heat, just need some coolant for boilover protection, lubrication, and corrosion prevention.

I can see coolant freezing at -44 though, thats damn cold. Follow the coolant manufacturers recomendations for what percentage is required to protect to a give temp.

Yep, they are from casting and not for freezing. They've got the that term because they CAN pop out when freezing but they are not designed to. I've seen plenty of cracked blocks from idiots not properly checking their antifreeze. On those blocks, the freeze plugs never moved at all.

THIS is when you know your car is too cold!

http://www.skyandsummit.com/Glacegeneve/images/DSCN7721.jpg

http://www.skyandsummit.com/Glacegeneve/images/DSCN7720.jpg

http://www.skyandsummit.com/Glacegeneve/Quai%20Versoix%20janv%2005%20(20).jpg

Wholy shit!

http://www.skyandsummit.com/Glacegeneve/Quai%20Versoix%20janv%2005%20(20).jpg
why is the van ok?

ok today this guy tried telling me that my block will crack if i dont run my car for the next couple of days because its supposed to be -16 degrees here..................i have never once heard of this before and sounds like Bs to me, so will any of our pro's here tell me this myth is busted :sly:

I don't think you should have much to worry about, minus-26 C (minus-16 F) isn't too bad if you have a strong battery and let the thing warm up before putting any serious RPMs on it.
We endured a week of -39 C, -50-plus with the windchill weather for about two weeks here in Moose Jaw at the start of the month, and there were still cars running all over the place. Hell, even my Dodge Shadow POS ran like a top (I didn't even plug the damn thing in and it still started without a problem. Battery from hell, baby!). It's harder on them, for sure, but as long as you don't push the hell out of them when it's that cold it shouldn't be too bad.

Man, I hope those cars have remote starters and they left the heat on. I'd just run that bitch for half a day and hope for the best. :D

Are those pics from the ice storm the hit Quebec few years ago?
why is the van ok?
I'm thinking he/she parked in the garage.

the antena looks like a huge you know what lol

pour koolaid on it and tell the kids to start lickin!!!!!!

Are those pics from the ice storm the hit Quebec few years ago?



It's Geneva. The van might have just parked there right before the pic was taken. That antena is funny though.
http://www.skyandsummit.com/Glacegeneve/index.html

That is some interesting info! Thanks. I didnt know that before and it is good to know, It gets to -50 Celicus where I am.