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]

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]

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]

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/generalinfo/l/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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[drakezilla]

it is in the center and it looks like it might have been the one i had changed (still all shiney and stuff) i just bought 2 of them so im gonna let the engine cool down then take a good look at it

 

[red85]

Mine's leaking from the block heater which is the front passenger side plug. I picked up a 1 1/2" plug at work. I'm going out to remove the header so I can get to it. What a PITA. I need to measure the other plugs 1 more time before I remove the leaker. Gawd I hope I've got the right size plug.

 

[shadetree]

Take a small punch, or chisel/screwdriver and tap the bottom of the plug(and it is a core plug, has nothing to do with freezing even tho that is what they are called). It will turn sideways, then you can pull it out.

When it is in a difficult area, I always check to see if I can get a straight shot at it. If it is behind something, it will not want to go back in straight and be almost impossible to get in without bending it. If it is behind the manifold, you may have to remove the manifold. On several occasions I have drilled a hole in the inner fender big enough to get a long extension thru to get a straight shot.

I use K&W copper coated gasket compound, or Permatex. One is just as good as the other. I would never use anything such as JB weld.

Clean the hole and apply the compound when you know you will go straight in with it. The compound will help the plug go into the hole, matter of fact, be a little careful when it starts in to keep from punching it all the way thru. Good luck. shady