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Originally Posted by brainboy
I believe my fuel lines froze as well. I'm in the Chicago area and it was -30 with the wind chill over the weekend and very windy. My car was parked on the street and I forgot to fill it up the night before.
I have 2 questions: I opened the hood, and there was snow inside. Apparently it was so windy that it somehow blew snow under my hood. Is this dangerous for my car?
2. Will I damage my car at all if I repeatedly try to start it with frozen fuel lines? I try to start it in the morning and at night, probably a couple times on each occasion.
Thanks!
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Actual temperature is what you should be concerned with; “wind chill” has nothing to do with your car liquids, however, it will affect the cool down time. Ever notice how your car will cool down quicker on a windy day/night, then on a calm day/night? If the antifreeze in your car's radiator is good for 5 degrees and the temperature drops to 15, you don't have to worry, even if your car is out in a 20 + mph wind which may drop the wind chill to minus -15 degrees.
As long as the actual temperature is 15 degrees, the fluid in your car's radiator and engine block will not go below 15 degrees, no matter how hard the wind blows. You could leave the car's hood open and it would not make any difference! Snow is a good insulator; it is closer to 32 deg. The problem may arise when it melts under your hood and soaks the ignition electrical circuit. Actually, this would be no worse than washing your engine. The main thing is to keep the ignition system well maintained and use dielectric grease on all terminals to prevent water intrusion.
The only problem with continuously trying to start your car, (when it won't start) would be drain on the battery and wear & tear on the starter. Remember, it takes more amperage to turn over a cold engine, than it does a warm engine. 