Core plugs!

Hi everyone.

A dreaded pool of water underneath my defender td5 after getting home from work.

Identified it as a core plug which is tucked right away near the starter motor.

I have purchased a new set of plugs but the question is, is there any way way to get it out without having to remove other parts etc.

And what tools are best to remove them?

Any help/ advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Hammer and small chisel, hit the bottom of plug so it spins 90 degrees and pry out.
use a wide socket to put back with some sealer...

sam1986 said:

Hi everyone.

A dreaded pool of water underneath my defender td5 after getting home from work.

Identified it as a core plug which is tucked right away near the starter motor.

I have purchased a new set of plugs but the question is, is there any way way to get it out without having to remove other parts etc.

And what tools are best to remove them?

Any help/ advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Click to expand...

Much as @swisstoe has said.

I usually take a small screwdriver (one I have actually ground the end down a bit to make it thicker at the tip, you can also use a metal carrot drift ) and use that to knock in the bottom of the coreplug leaning against the lip of the plug itself - reasonable but not mental bumps with a hammer and it will "eyelid" i.e. spin about it's 9-3 o'clock position - you can then work it out with some pliers - just take care not to damage the block as you do not want the sealing face to bur up.

You can also use a slide hammer with a threaded attachment (or make one with a self-tapper!).



Mike is an excellent mechanic and far more knowledgeable than a certain other YouTuber's Land Rover repair videos and has a voice I can listen to.

Thanks guys. I have also read that k-seal can do the trick? Is this a possibility? As I'd much rather give this a try first before having to fanny on trying to access the plug

sam1986 said:

Thanks guys. I have also read that k-seal can do the trick? Is this a possibility? As I'd much rather give this a try first before having to fanny on trying to access the plug

Click to expand...

avoid K-Seal - it nothing more than a bodge, can cause problems later down the road, and can block other waterways etc.
Do it right first time and replace the core plug

sam1986 said:

Thanks guys. I have also read that k-seal can do the trick? Is this a possibility? As I'd much rather give this a try first before having to fanny on trying to access the plug

Click to expand...

No. Do it properly. Big bodging bodge that would be!
K seal likes to feck other things up and makes a hell of a mess when you come to change coolant or do a water pump etc.

Friend put it in his car for a slight leak in his rad - car stopped going up to full temp - stat was clogged silly - and this stuff is only meant to cure in the presence of air. Well, cavitation around pumps and obstacles in the system can cause air bubbles - that is my theory!

The plug will be replaced. Without a doubt, I just unfortunately have no time until next weekend atleast.

Would rtv sealant be suitable for a temporary fix for around 1 week as I desperately need the car for work purposes.

sam1986 said:

The plug will be replaced. Without a doubt, I just unfortunately have no time until next weekend at least.

Would rtv sealant be suitable for a temporary fix for around 1 week as I desperately need the car for work purposes.

Click to expand...

How badly is it leaking? Where is it leaking from exactly? Weep around the lip or what?

A smear externally of something might work if it is small enough a leak, but to be honest if it is small enough then I would probably just run with it and keep lots of coolant (mix up a weak solution of the correct cheap stuff and have plenty with you wherever you go) on board for regular top-ups.

If you want to try RTV then get it dried, and cool and get something onto it, it may work long enough if it is just a small drip - anything more and you will struggle to seal a pressurised system leak.

sam1986 said:

Thanks guys. I have also read that k-seal can do the trick? Is this a possibility? As I'd much rather give this a try first before having to fanny on trying to access the plug

Click to expand...

As a quick fix you could use jb weld in the core plug it worked on our 40 ton Doosan for 3 months so far lol

The plug in question is right near the bottom of the block...by the look of it I can only assume I'll have to remove the starter motor to get access to it.

Anyone have any experience of this??

I've ordered a new set of plugs. But I'm hoping to do a quick fix till I can get to it

Another temporary bodge (and it is a bodge) for small holes is to put a self tapper into it - assuming the hole is the right shape to take one. You need to carry lots of coolant and watch the temp gauge like a hawk. Given the damage overheating will do, I'd just accept that the wing is coming off, then you will have access to remove the starter and make a decent job of it. If it's any help, several extension bars connected make it much easier to get at the wing to bulkhead bolts. I can remove mine in 30 minutes - but I've had lots of practice lol.

I have seen a two pence coin glued on a core plug with no nails as a temp fix. It ended up as a permanent fix.