Deep Freeze Issue

[Swampfox58]

Took Spartacus out to get propane yesterday and noticed that as the engine warmed the heater didn't produce heat. After about a mile, it ran hot. Limped it back home and found that all the engine components, ie, t-stat housing, hoses, block were hot, except for the radiator.
I kept it in the garage last night and used a space heater to bring the garage up to about 70 degrees, thinking the radiator was frozen. Cranked it up again today with the same result, no heat.
Temps here in SC have been around 32-16 for the past 3 days.
Thoughts and diagnosis please.

 

[Big Sexy]

Initial thoughts would be the water pump

 

[Big Sexy]

After thinking on this for a moment longer, the first place I'd check given the symptoms you described would be the thermostat.
If the thermostat is inop - stuck in the closed position, you're likely to see these conditions. It's also cheaper and easier than the water pump.

 

[bobm]

T stat .take it out and run it see what happens.

 

[Swampfox58]

After thinking on this for a moment longer, the first place I'd check given the symptoms you described would be the thermostat.
If the thermostat is inop - stuck in the closed position, you're likely to see these conditions. It's also cheaper and easier than the water pump.

Yeah I just replaced the t-stat this summer. Hopefully it's not that.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Is there any way you got an air pocket in the system, might try burping it, just to rule out.

 

[J Mack]

Is there any way you got an air pocket in the system, might try burping it, just to rule out.

Just like Scraps said remove the cap and check for flow, I like using a spill free coolant funnel to remove air pockets but it's not necessary.
Spill Free Coolant Funnel - Bavarian Autosport

 

[Docktormike]

After thinking on this for a moment longer, the first place I'd check given the symptoms you described would be the thermostat.
If the thermostat is inop - stuck in the closed position, you're likely to see these conditions. It's also cheaper and easier than the water pump.

agreed...thermostat

 

[Swampfox58]

Looks like scrapdaddy hit it. After Spartacus ran hot I replaced the fluid. It didn't take much so I figured I hadn't loss much. After I warmed it up in the garage it took another 2 gallons and a good burping. Now all is well.
Thanks for everyone's input.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Good deal, I like easy fixes.