freeze plug

[drakezilla]

ok ive searched and read the tech library and couldnt find an answer. where is and how hard is it to change a freeze plug (will i need to jack it up? remove any parts? etc.) on a 2.3l...its leaking from the back of the engine on the passenger side (so it looks like)...its not over heating while driving and just dripping after i stop...i think if i fill the radiator tomorrow morning i can make it to work and back...a few years ago this happened to my truck, i let a buddy borrow it and a freeze plug blew and the idiot drove it from the store "pegged out hot" with water pouring out...i cant afford to fix another warped head, so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks again
drakezilla

[WildSide]

First of all why call it a freeze plug??? It's not there for any purpose other than access to remove casting sand.The last thing the plug would do is act as freeze protection.
Now if it is a leaking core plug you need access to both remove it and to hammer the new sucker in so once you do locate the leak you will know what needs to be done.

[kevinsranger]

Originally Posted by WildSide

First of all why call it a freeze plug??? It's not there for any purpose other than access to remove casting sand.The last thing the plug would do is act as freeze protection.
Now if it is a leaking core plug you need access to both remove it and to hammer the new sucker in so once you do locate the leak you will know what needs to be done.

what? they are pressed into the block in case the water freezes in the block, the ice will push them out instead of cracking the block or head, last i checked they are called "freezeout plugs"

[kevinsranger]

Originally Posted by drakezilla

ok ive searched and read the tech library and couldnt find an answer. where is and how hard is it to change a freeze plug (will i need to jack it up? remove any parts? etc.) on a 2.3l...its leaking from the back of the engine on the passenger side (so it looks like)...its not over heating while driving and just dripping after i stop...i think if i fill the radiator tomorrow morning i can make it to work and back...a few years ago this happened to my truck, i let a buddy borrow it and a freeze plug blew and the idiot drove it from the store "pegged out hot" with water pouring out...i cant afford to fix another warped head, so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
thanks again
drakezilla

yea just try to pry it out or punch a hole in it and work it out, then you can get a new metal one and drive it in with a socket close to same size or buy one of them rubber ones like a boat plug that gets tightened with a bolt

[WildSide]

Originally Posted by kevinsranger

what? they are pressed into the block in case the water freezes in the block, the ice will push them out instead of cracking the block or head, last i checked they are called "freezeout plugs"

Yeah sure you are telling me that when a block or head freezes a core plug will save the day? Only in Florida.

[kevinsranger]

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/gener.../bldef_233.htm

check that link, i aint saying they are 100% effective, but if you dont know how to keep your antifreeze mixed properly and it freezes then its your own fault if the block or head gets cracked. bottom line is the guy has one leaking and needed to know how to stop the leak, not how to stop his block from cracking in the cold.

[drakezilla]

ok found it...friggin lil pin hole...its dead center passenger side too hi to get to underneath, too low to get from the top... but i can see it clearly right between exuast mainifold (if thats the proper term these days.. i dont want to offend anyone) guess my feet will be in the air hangin over fender tryin to get that lil sucker in there...wish me luck thanks again

[kevinsranger]

Originally Posted by drakezilla

ok found it...friggin lil pin hole...its dead center passenger side too hi to get to underneath, too low to get from the top... but i can see it clearly right between exuast mainifold (if thats the proper term these days.. i dont want to offend anyone) guess my feet will be in the air hangin over fender tryin to get that lil sucker in there...wish me luck thanks again

smear some jb weld on the plug to get you a little more time lol.

[drakezilla]

hmmm think mighty putty would work???????? lmao j/k

[kevinsranger]

Originally Posted by drakezilla

hmmm think mighty putty would work???????? lmao j/k

haha my 5yr old kid is obsessed with the commercials for that mighty putty, everything i break he says "dad you need mighty putty"

[drakezilla]

lol thats funny...im known as the jb weld king at work...i wont do it but sounds like a very good idea

[kevinsranger]

Originally Posted by drakezilla

lol thats funny...im known as the jb weld king at work...i wont do it but sounds like a very good idea

i would do it if the leak is in the center part of the plug, two of mine are leaking but its coming from the seam where the plug fits to the block.