Freeze Plug blew out of head 99 4.0

[usmc1371]

Just left for work and got a huge steam cloud. Turns out the freeze plug on the back of the driver side head blew out. Found the plug in my drive way.

Can I get a new one in with out pulling the head? Will one of the screw/expandable plugs work or are they just a band aid?

Help me please. Thanks.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

you could use a expandable plug, but its only going to be a bandaid fix. the best bet is to pull the head and replace the plug, but thats easier said than done on the SOHC.

 

[usmc1371]

I just picked up an expandable so I will give it a try and let you all know how it goes. I don't wan't to pull a head sence I just put heads on the truck a year ago. Even on the push rod 4.0 it still sucks to have to pull a head for a fifty cent part.

 

[--weezl--]

there are a type, i believe, that are like a big washer on the outside, and a rod on the inside, and a screw that connects them... they aren't perfect, but they are a very good replacement for what you have gone wrong, the expandable ones (rubber right?) break down and can meltish... where as the metal ones would be a better fit

 

[usmc1371]

I used the rubber one but so far so good, i did see the all metal ones and I think I will pick one up just in case. I am also thinking about getting a few of the rubber ones just for spares.

It wasn't all that bad to get the new plug in I did pull the upper intake off so I could reach a little easier.

 

[Duane867]

Any type pf freeze plug with a hole in it is going to be an expandable plug OR possibly like tie downs on the bed. Meaning they more then likely have some sort of expandable anchor that spreads the width of the bore when inserted and when screwed tight more then likely seals on a rubber gasket. In either case they are a temporary fix.

A question that begs answering is did the plug blow out or rust, or corrode out ?

Over time if you do not keep up with radiator flushes and anti freeze changes old rads fluid becomes very corrosive. It could start eating your freeze plugs away as well as the rad core, heater core, water pump, gasket seals.. etc etc etc.

Personally, If I had the space and time I would either raise the engine a tad so you could access all the plugs and change them all or pull it and replace them all. Chances are the rest are not far behind that one. You could try this I suppose. Drop the x member, or remove the trans mount bolts and try letting her down or raising her up via the trans a little to see if you can gain access that way.