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Risk of damage to engine of car that hasn't been driven in six weeks ?

  • 09-01-2010 8:17pm
    #1
    iMax
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭


    Guys,

    Have a 02 focus that hasn't been driven in about six weeks. Last time I turned it over was a week ago & I just tried it now & it's dead as the proverbial. No idea when the battery died in the past week, but I'm wondering is there any risk of damage to the engine from it not being run (in the last week) with really low temps ?

    I'm going to try to jump it tomorrow, but is this wise given that it's pretty much an ice block, is there any risk of engine damage from frozen liquids ?

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    itarumaa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 704 ✭✭✭itarumaa


    If you have coolant in the engine, then no worries. But if you only have water in the engine, then it is bad news, but damage is probably already done.

    Other than that you should not have too much issues, maybe a screen wash would be frozen, but I cannot see that would be a major issue.


  • #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    The oil won't freeze, the coolant won't have frozen if it was at the correct concentration, brake fluid etc won't have frozen. I see no reason why not to start it, if you want you could crank it without the plugs in to oil the bores a bit once you have a fresh battery in there but I wouldn't bother really. Once the coolant is liquid and there is the correct oil level in it there should be no problem at all just starting it.


  • #4
    iMax
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭iMax


    Cheers guys. I've no idea when it was last topped up with coolant etc. It's the OH's runaround & barely gets used (32k on the clock)


  • #5
    pitbull_fanatic
    Closed Accounts Posts: 213 ✭✭pitbull_fanatic


    if theres no anti freeze DONT start it. i'm in the same boat. open the rad cap and see if the water/antifreeze in the rad is froze. if not drive on. if it is...just wait for the thaw. if it is frozen take off the water pipes going into the rad and open the drain plug at the bottom and let it just drip its was out bit by bit. the rad will thaw out faster than the engine. plus you could blow your water pump if thats frozen. so rad cap first!


  • #6
    D_murph
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 773 ✭✭✭D_murph


    Older batteries can take a dive in cold weather also. My dads car was fine up until the big freeze and it had to be replaced last week. The guy at the shop used a battery tester on it and it was definitely knackered. I saw the hand going down on the clock on the tester myself and it was starting fine before things got cold.

    I recommend you get a battery booster pack or jump start the car once you have determined that it has the correct coolant etc and see if it goes then.


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