Anti Freeze

[5hort5]

I have a couple of questions after reading the mini twin anti freeze thread. I have a temp gauge in the garage and have just had a quick look and it's currently -5.3 in the garage and -11.1 in the garden, cold enough to freeze the balls off a Grinch! :smt103

At what temperature does anti freeze start to freeze?

Does Anti freeze go off and if so does it's freezing point come down so it's more likely it'll freeze?

How do you know if it's frozen and starting your bike will cause a very expensive bang?

What damage can be caused it it freezes and is not started?

Loads of questions sorry

[yorkie_chris]

If your engine freezes it can do lots of damage, at best it will pop the core plugs so you need to thaw it out, replace them and refill fluids.

Worst case is block cracks or studs stretch and head gaskets fail. Or you don't notice core plugs have popped and coolant dumps into oil and you blow crank when it melts.

Coolant freezing point depends on concentration, you don't need much to be safe at -10/15 or so. If in doubt drain it, or take it to someone with a hydrometer to check the coolant specific gravity.

[5hort5]

Thanks YC, Where are the core plugs on an SV? (curvy)

[yorkie_chris]

Inside cam cover. So if they pop coolant will go inside engine.

So when you go out to bike and want to check, squeeze a coolant pipe or take rad cap off.

[5hort5]

will the oil and water mix that fast then I'll be able to see the white mix without starting the bike?

[yorkie_chris]

It will dump whole coolant volume into oil. Unless ice has blocked coolant flow then engine might overheat while still frozen. If it will run at all, if block is cracked or head lifted off it will not run well!

Just check it's not frozen before you start it.

[smoky]

at 40/60 water/ethelene glycol it did not freeze so far - and lowest in my garage was ~ -35C, so i do not think you need to worry, unless you're running water.
you guys and your "extreme cold" at -20C ... :D

[embee]

Normal water/antifreeze mix is 50/50, main antifreeze constituent is ethylene glycol, usually reckon on -35C as a safe working temp, it starts to go slushy first, note that the protection reduces quite rapidly with weaker solutions so don't over-dilute, freezing point curve looks like
http://www.veximchem.com/products%20M/ethylene%20glycol%20antifreeze%20coolant.JPG

[yorkie_chris]

If you dump a liter of antifreeze into system then top up with water it should get you about 60%. And I don't see this bit of a chilly spot hitting -50 lol.

Also stay well away from cheap crap premix coolant at supermarket, my mate tested some with hydrometer and as he described it "less antifreeze than me p*ss". Though actually considering his alcohol intake his p*ss would probably have the hydrometer floating in zig zags.

[punyXpress]

Trying to start the engine might shear the water pump drive & where would that leave you ?
Take an eggcupfull out & put it in your freezer. Don't know what that would prove but might be interesting.
Btw damage can be caused long before coolant freezes solid although a white ' beard ' dangling from your radiator shows you've gone beyond that point.

[yorkie_chris]

Trying to start the engine might shear the water pump drive & where would that leave you ?

I believe the colloquial term involves a slightly smelly waterway without a method of propulsion...

[5hort5]

I believe the colloquial term involves a slightly smelly waterway without a method of propulsion...

Ahhh, so you've been to Warrington on a Friday night at kick out time then