Coolant freezing query

[s2_bo]

Im at Tinges at the moment in the alps and staying here for a couple of weeks.

The s8 is parked up outside and at the moment its about -7 but temperatures are due to drop to -25 and lower during my stay here.

I just checked the car and the coolant and its already a bit sloshy in the expiation tank.
I was not expecting that but havent changed the coolant since i bought the car so not sure on the mixture in there.

If the temperature drops to below -20s and stays there till i go am i right in thinking that the engine wont be startable as the water pump would be frozen solid in the block? And starting the engine would shear off the pump?

Or is the sloshy coolant a normal thing at this temperature and wont get any worse?

[rynaqui]

I'm guessing there's nowhere you can buy coolant from in the area

It is risky

I think if it freezes up damage may already be done but what do I know, we don't have cold weather here

[Trist28]

Sounds like its starting to freeze already! At minus 20 it will prob freeze solid... Not sure where you are but cant you get some antifreeze, drop a few litres of water out and strengthen the mix up.

If not during the day if its not frozen run the car up to temp as late as you can!

If it does freeze def don't try starting as yes the pump will break for sure, you would have to defrost it all using a heat gun and hope nothing else is knackered!

[rynaqui]

Pipes possibly cracking etc..as above try keep it up to temperature! You may have to sleep in it

[s2_bo]

Cheers guys!
There is a garage near by so i will go there in the morning to get some antifreeze.

Just hoping now that it wont be to late already but i guess if the coolant is only sloshy in the expansion tank it wont be solid yet in the block. Its not due to get much colder till the end of the week.

Ill take it for a drive tomorrow and will adjust the mix, should be able to drain some out from the petcock valve on the rad...

[rynaqui]

Cheers guys!
There is a garage near by so i will go there in the morning to get some antifreeze.

Just hoping now that it wont be to late already but i guess if the coolant is only sloshy in the expansion tank it wont be solid yet in the block. Its not due to get much colder till the end of the week.

Ill take it for a drive tomorrow and will adjust the mix, should be able to drain some out from the petcock valve on the rad...

Make sure it's G12+, with the pink cap (AFAIK). I think it's better than regular G12

But I guess you would know that

Good luck

[5cylinderman]

Don't put regular blue glycol anti freeze into it at all costs. It can turn G12 into pond slime. Worst case scenario you'll have to run your engine for an hour, get a few hours sleep and start it up again.

[rynaqui]

Don't put regular blue glycol anti freeze into it at all costs. It can turn G12 into pond slime. Worst case scenario you'll have to run your engine for an hour, get a few hours sleep and start it up again.

Jelly springs to mind

[Sleeper_Avant]

if you drop the water/coolant out it wont freeze........... extreme but if its only for a few days and you refill it, best solution maby?

[Trist28]

On the G12 post... Check the colour of your coolant. If redish (should be) then def use G12. If blue/green use a blue or green. Like previous post said red and blue causes bad things to happen!!

If there is a local garage they can test the mix in the S8 and tell you what your protected to then drain/top up as required

[rynaqui]

I don't think our engines like blue coolant..corrosion.

[Error404]

-25 is bloody cold, you'll need virtually pure antifreeze to cope with that. I'd drop a load more G12 in there Bo and leave the cap off the expansion tank to stop it blowing any hoses if it does freeze.

Edit: As above don't mix pink & blue anti-freeze, it coagulates and turns to brown sludge

[Ian Simmonds]

-25 is bloody cold, you'll need virtually pure antifreeze to cope with that. I'd drop a load more G12 in there Bo and leave the cap off the expansion tank to stop it blowing any hoses if it does freeze.

Agree, you'll need it close to neat antifreeze for that... Is there anywhere you can get the car at least under cover/car port/multi-story car park etc, or tucked away close to a warm building out of the prevailing wind/weather and sheet/cover the car/engine....? Every little will help.

[Zoig]

Leaving the coolant aside, is your battery ok? At -25c, the ones that are ok in -5c use their charge really fast. Better drag that indoors if you are not sure.

[s2_bo]

Cheers guys!

Unfortunately no way of getting any g12+ around here, they only stock generic stuff at this little garage.
Nearest VAG garage is prob a good few hours away as we are right up the mountains.

I have moved the car this morning to an underground car park. Its going to cost a lot but worth it as i now have pice of mind and know the water pump isn't going to give up when i try to start it.

It was only -5c this morning in the car so coolant should have been ok and the drive to the underground parking lot was less then a mile.

When i get back ill drain it out and replace it all as there is some brown slime swimming on the surface of the tank (looks a bit like cooperslip) so it must have had bad combinations at some point.

Thanks again for all your input.

Cheers.
Bo