I recently replaced some parts that required me to drain my coolant/water mixture. When I went to refill the radiator, I realized I didn't have enough coolant to mix the proportions correctly. I filled up most of the system with distilled water and then forgot to add more coolant.
Well, last week the temperature dropped far below freezing, and my car was not prepared. Obliviously, I tried to start it up. It made a terrible screeching noise like a belt was bad, but I just thought it was because my fan clutch is seized. After starting it two more times, the noise went away. I waited for the car to warm up for about ten minutes, and the water temperature gauge barely moved but then rapidly went halfway up in the span of ten seconds. After I was sure it had stopped rising, I began to gently drive it. I turned on the heater, but it continued blowing cold air and soon the radiator started overheating.
After getting the car off the road, I popped the hood and the radiator was spewing out steam and water. I went to check the coolant overflow resevoir and realized it was still frozen solid with the sensor and hose stuck in it.
Anyway, I eventually got it into a garage where it will stay for the rest of the winter. I already managed to get the system thawed out and ran lots of coolant through it, but now the water temp gauge is barely creeping up.
Now the question: What things did I probably mess up and what should I replace?
Well, last week the temperature dropped far below freezing, and my car was not prepared. Obliviously, I tried to start it up. It made a terrible screeching noise like a belt was bad, but I just thought it was because my fan clutch is seized. After starting it two more times, the noise went away. I waited for the car to warm up for about ten minutes, and the water temperature gauge barely moved but then rapidly went halfway up in the span of ten seconds. After I was sure it had stopped rising, I began to gently drive it. I turned on the heater, but it continued blowing cold air and soon the radiator started overheating.
After getting the car off the road, I popped the hood and the radiator was spewing out steam and water. I went to check the coolant overflow resevoir and realized it was still frozen solid with the sensor and hose stuck in it.
Anyway, I eventually got it into a garage where it will stay for the rest of the winter. I already managed to get the system thawed out and ran lots of coolant through it, but now the water temp gauge is barely creeping up.
Now the question: What things did I probably mess up and what should I replace?
