Move car w/ NO coolant?

[SavagePatch]

I mistakenly read the torque of my radiator drain plug as nm instead of kg-cm resulting in me breaking off the head. I won't be able to get the part until tomorrow and I'd like to close the garage which the bacl end is blocking. Can I safely drive my car back off the ramps and then forward into the garage? About 10ft total and maybe 30secs. 2008 Mazda CX-9 Thanks in advance! P.S. any tips on removing the plastic bolt that's left inside the drain hole?

 

[user52165]

Yes. Dragsters have no coolant.

 

[svhanc]

No problem. Your car won't get anywhere near up to temperature in the 30sec you have it running. If you have a left-hand drillbit, drill slowly into the plug and allow it to grab and back the plug out.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Unless its up a very steep hill why wouldn't you just get a couple people to help you move it?

 

[JimPghPA]

The engine will not get anywhere near any temperatures to be concerned about without coolant for only a few minutes.

 

[gregk24]

What about water pump? Running that dry does not sound good to me.

 

[KGMtech]

No issues at all, but expect that the engine might sound louder without the coolant.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted by gregk24

What about water pump? Running that dry does not sound good to me.

Yea, I wouldn't risk it at all. I'd get a few burly neighbors to help move it.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted by gregk24

What about water pump? Running that dry does not sound good to me.

Highly unlikely ALL the coolant was drained. Even if t were, it would not be harmed for that short duration.

 

[RoadDukie]

Based on what you have told us, you have ZERO to worry about. Carry on.

 

[JimPghPA]

Back in the day my friends use to abuse the heck out of engines that were in vehicles that were going to the bone-yard and then see if they would still run. They did.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted by JimPghPA

Back in the day my friends use to abuse the heck out of engines that were in vehicles that were going to the bone-yard and then see if they would still run. They did.

Most people have a little bit higher of a standard than, "dang, she still runnin'??? woo!"

 

[SavagePatch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyJohnson

Unless its up a very steep hill why wouldn't you just get a couple people to help you move it?

Good idea! Better safe than sorry. Flat driveway and garage. Wife can steer and I'll push.

 

[gfh77665]

On flat surfaces, you can even push or pull a car with a riding mower, if you need too.

 

[oldhp]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the water pump does not use coolant to lubricate itself. It is a sealed bearing. Right???

 

[SavagePatch]

Originally Posted by oldhp

Correct me if I'm wrong but the water pump does not use coolant to lubricate itself. It is a sealed bearing. Right???

Dunno, always thought the coolant lubricated as well.

 

[Jake_J]

Originally Posted by SavagePatch

Originally Posted by oldhp

Correct me if I'm wrong but the water pump does not use coolant to lubricate itself. It is a sealed bearing. Right???

Dunno, always thought the coolant lubricated as well.

No absolutely not, water pumps have sealed bearings. They do have a finite service life but it's not based on the quality or quantity of coolant in the engine.

 

[dlundblad]

15 seconds of run time won't do a thing. Save your back and drive it in.

 

[quint]

The bearing isn't lubricated by the coolant, but the seal absolutely is. I wouldn't start it without coolant on a triple dog dare. Roll it off the ramps, and push it in. Just my opinion.

 

[DzoG20]

I moved my maxima once w/o coolant (from tow-truck to the garage)- didn't have any issues in the the flowing years.