Distilled water PSA

[zapatius]

Okay, this is a new one. Cruiser ran fine yesterday. Tried to start in 20 degree weather this morning. Rough start, belts squealing, truck shudders violently then dies. Then just cranks. I let it sit 10 minutes and try again. Runs for a second then dies.

Full tank of gas. Replaced virtually everything in the ignition and starting system about 3-4 months ago. Cap, rotor, plugs, wires, coil, VSV and related components, starter, alternator, fuel filter.

 

[zapatius]

Update, oh s*** basically. It ran smoothly for a second so I hopped out to see what squeal was. It was the belt slipping over the fan clutch, which was not moving. I immediately shut it off. The coolant started dripping out. Then oil. I was running distilled water because I had just run Thermocure. What happened?? Pic is under exhaust manifold.

 

[baldilocks]

20 degrees and no antifreeze? Classic.. killed itself?

 

[zapatius]

The temp gauge on the cooling system showed the water temp was 32.

 

[zapatius]

20 degrees and no antifreeze? Classic.. killed itself?

And sorry, sending on phone. Should have said 20s overnight. Current air temp is 34.

 

[thatcabledude]

The water froze. The belts probably squealed like they did because the water pump was seized from frozen water inside.

 

[zapatius]

The water froze. The belts probably squealed like they did because the water pump was seized from frozen water inside.

So what probably happened internally to cause it to leak both oil and coolant? I am so pissed at myself right now. I am on about my fourth round of distilled to flush the Thermocure and it never even occurred to me it was that cold right now. It's been in the 50s all week.

 

[thatcabledude]

From pic I’m guessing the issue is the oil cooler.

 

[zapatius]

From pic I’m guessing the issue is the oil cooler.

Thanks. I'll get the manifold pulled completely off and take a look.

 

[Grandlooser]

Something froze and broke from the expansion of the ice. Hopefully not the block.

 

[bwakeling]

wowzers!

 

[zapatius]

As far as I can tell, I 'only' cracked the oil cooler cover. I'm assuming the oil was also coming from the long crack when it was briefly under pressure? I've never taken it off before to see what flows where

 

[zapatius]

Better light

 

[davidp14]

I did that

I had been running distilled water for the summer because I wanted to flush it out but forgot . Then we had an early cold snap and my radiator blew apart. Mine didn't leak oil though so you may have won the prize . I replaced my radiator, water pump t-stat, fan clutch , and belts and she ran fine. Oh, and I filled the new rad with actual coolant this time. I probably could have just replaced the radiator and gone about my business but you know.. while you're in there...

That was 10,000 miles ago so pretty sure no damage.

Hope yours isn't too bad. Good luck

 

[Grandlooser]

Feels s***ty man. Looks like you got away with a relatively easy one.

 

[zapatius]

Feels s***ty man. Looks like you got away with a relatively easy one.

I hope so. You know, you become obsessed with replacing things. A leaky oil pump seal turned into nearly a month of replacing things...then you forget you're running distilled water...in the winter.

 

[spazzyfry123]

What's the sludgy looking liquid? Is that just dirty distilled water from it running down a dirty motor? Or is that oil and water mixed *gulp*

 

[zapatius]

What's the sludgy looking liquid? Is that just dirty distilled water from it running down a dirty motor? Or is that oil and water mixed *gulp*

Dirty water. Takes forever to completely flush the Thermocure

 

[landtank]

I'd pull out your hibachi, light it and place it under the lowest part of the oil pan to thaw out the block.







































































just kidding

 

[samiam09]

I'd pull out your hibachi, light it and place it under the lowest part of the oil pan to thaw out the block.







































































just kidding

Actualy saw them useing a large propane asphalt or roofing torch in Siberia on the axles and oil pan and transmission a transfercase before starting their truck up, It was on the discovery channel, Pretty sure they were running diesel engines.