Thick Coolant in Volvo D13 engine?

Hello all,
So I am at the house. I got in Friday before the arctic blast hit us here. I live near DFW. Anyway, went out yesterday to check on the truck, raised the hood. Couldn't get the coolant to move in the coolant tank at all. I can't remove the cap. It seems to be stuck to the tank, the cap and tank are both plastic. I didn't want to try using pliers to break it loose for fear I would break the cap, tank, or both. Jumped the truck off and it started okay, but the coolant didn't shimmy, shake, nada. None of the hoses felt solid. They had some pliability to them. No squealing when I started it, as I think the water pump on my truck is pulley driven. Is it normal for coolant to appear thickened in 12 degree weather after sitting for a period of time?

If you're wondering, I had to jump it off because I suspect one or maybe all 3 batteries are bad. They lose charge over a period of 8 hours just sitting with nothing but the fridge going. I got the cheap $75 each batteries a year ago from Freightliner. Voltage showed great at 14.2 while the truck was idling the 5 minutes I let it run after jumping it off. But I shut it off and it wouldn't restart and voltage dropped to something like 9.4 volts. They don't smell like rotten eggs though, and aren't swollen or hissing. I just carry a Noco jumpstart box with me.

 

Well thank you for that. I was really worried. All I have ever put in it when I have had to put any in it is the 50/50 prediluted red coolant.

 

You've got that right. I don't remember last year when it snowed and all that my coolant gelling or whatever like it is now. I guess I will probably wait until tomorrow to leave though or maybe Thursday. I had some parts replaced on the cooling system and I am honestly not sure what the shop refilled the coolant with. I had to have the EGR cooler replaced. I hope they put in the correct mix of antifreeze and water. I only had to add a little here and there until all the air was completely out of the system. Since then hadn't really lost much of anything. What I have lost I think is leaking from the APU, which hasn't been much.

 

Oh it started right up. I made sure to run some anti-gel in the diesel on the way home. Fired up fine, no squeals or anything just no sloshing or anything in the coolant tank. The rest of a gallon jug of 50/50 coolant I had in the truck wasn't gelled and sloshed around freely. It doesn't look like a red popsicle, in the coolant tank. Just isn't moving. I can't see any ice or anything in it.

 

I appreciate your replies as well. Wouldn't the hoses feel hardened? I may have just not pushed hard enough on the coolant tank. I only know the cap isn't breaking free. Seems like the cap is stuck to the tank.