Thread: i hate cars

so the temp here in tn dropped really cold a little while ago and well the so called "anti-freeze" froze. well instead of the freeze plugs (plugs that are supposed to pop out when the fluids expand due to freezing) popping well the block decided to just crack, a nice big crack right across the side about 8-10 inches long. this will be the second time that i have had to replace the engine in my jeep. im so frustrated about this.

-dan-

Holy moly! Sorry to hear that. This being the second time, are there any possible factors that can be changed to prevent it a third time?

dont know if there is anything, first time was an accident second time was just freezing. ehh

-dan-

Is it still under the warranty at least?

I'm sorry this happened but it's not the fault of the engine. Your antifreeze was clearly not up to the job. I've made it through 45 below weather many times so I know that antifreeze, if used properly, can handle temperatures much lower than what you get in TN. What was the concentration of your antifreeze and how old was it?

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Is it still under the warranty at least?

I seriously doubt any warranty is going to cover a cracked block due to freezing.

I gotta go with Utopian on this one.Someone along the line seems to have over diluted your anti-freeze.Where I live is the cold spot in the nation a few times a year and we generally use a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze to water.I have never heard of anyone getting a cracked block with this mix.

Originally Posted by Utopian

I seriously doubt any warranty is going to cover a cracked block due to freezing.

You never know. Assuming it has had factory servicing where they are supposed to properly monitor fluids (aka oil change), a case could be made for him. I doubt it too, but it can't hurt to try.

Would a block heater be a practical solution for your problem?

Originally Posted by sinnfein

so the temp here in tn dropped really cold a little while ago and well the so called "anti-freeze" froze. well instead of the freeze plugs (plugs that are supposed to pop out when the fluids expand due to freezing) popping well the block decided to just crack, a nice big crack right across the side about 8-10 inches long. this will be the second time that i have had to replace the engine in my jeep. im so frustrated about this.

-dan-

Just thought I'd share a little unhelpful bit of car trivia;

Those "freeze plugs" aren't. they are just a piece of press fit steel pushed into the holes left in the cast block so that they can drain the sand from the casting process out. Past that they actually have no purpose whatsoever.