Frost Plugs

jt_armstrong · Dec 28, 2010

A few weeks back my rangie got a bit frozen. At the time I didn't think it was too bad but it was enough to sheer the impellar from its shaft when I tried to start it. New Water pump has been in for a couple of weeks and rangie has been driving well since.....however she has been losing a bit of coolant which I have traced to the frost plug behind the drivers side engine mount. Is it possible to tap the plug back in or does it need replacing? Also is it safe to drive around for a week or two or is it likely to pop out when the engine is running?

Datatek · Dec 28, 2010

Try tapping it back in, but if you lose it it could be serious.

wammers · Dec 28, 2010

There are no such things as frost plugs. They are core plugs that block off the holes used for removing casting sand in manufacture. The fact that they blow out if the block freezes is maybe a bonus that saves a cracked block, but that is not what they are there for. Good anti freeze is a lot better.

blue beasty · Dec 28, 2010

wammers said:
There are no such things as frost plugs. They are core plugs that block off the holes used for removing casting sand in manufacture. The fact that they blow out if the block freezes is maybe a bonus that saves a cracked block, but that is not what they are there for. Good anti freeze is a lot better.

ah....wondered what on earth he was on about....thought it might be a bit of rangie lecky wizardry.

wouldn't try and tap one back in except as an emergency get home job.....if it pops on the move you will lose all your coolant in seconds.

They have a taper on the flange so they grab tight when tapped in so not really re-useable and only cost about a quid

Dopey · Dec 28, 2010

Seems to me, that you didn't have either any or not enough antifreeze in your rad, what happens is the water freezes and expands ^^^ as said your lucky the core plug popped out, or it would have cracked your block, as suggested get a good antifreeze (red is meant to have better corrosion property's, but im no expert on that) and get a (i think its called a hydrometer)r to check the amount is correct

jt_armstrong · Dec 29, 2010

Dopey said:
Seems to me, that you didn't have either any or not enough antifreeze in your rad, what happens is the water freezes and expands ^^^ as said your lucky the core plug popped out, or it would have cracked your block, as suggested get a good antifreeze (red is meant to have better corrosion property's, but im no expert on that) and get a (i think its called a hydrometer)r to check the amount is correct

Refilled with new antifreeze after I replaced the waterpump so no chance of a repeat, however there are signs of a leak at this core plug. Need to head to Scotland this afternoon but not sure if I should risk it in case the core plug comes out. I have been driving it for about 2 weeks on short runs with no issues.

wammers · Dec 29, 2010

jt_armstrong said:
Refilled with new antifreeze after I replaced the waterpump so no chance of a repeat, however there are signs of a leak at this core plug. Need to head to Scotland this afternoon but not sure if I should risk it in case the core plug comes out. I have been driving it for about 2 weeks on short runs with no issues.

There is no finer leak detector on earth than anti freeze. If it is just a very small damp weep with engine hot, then it maybe ok until you have a chance to change it. If it starts to jet then you have a problem.

jt_armstrong · Dec 29, 2010

wammers said:
There is no finer leak detector on earth than anti freeze. If it is just a very small damp weep with engine hot, then it maybe ok until you have a chance to change it. If it starts to jet then you have a problem.

No signs of jetting just a little trickle below the plug. I think I will risk the drive and see how I get on. Changing it out looks like a real bitch so would prefer some warmer weather.

wammers · Dec 29, 2010

jt_armstrong said:
No signs of jetting just a little trickle below the plug. I think I will risk the drive and see how I get on. Changing it out looks like a real bitch so would prefer some warmer weather.

You could always try some stop leak or radweld in it.

blue beasty · Dec 29, 2010

wammers said:
You could always try some stop leak or radweld in it.

stopping the leak is not the worry.....its a press fit and has moved so could pop under pressure at any time with no warning resulting in almost instant complete coolant loss.......if you really want to bodge it and risk your motor I'd do something like put a rim of instant metal around the outside to help retain the plug

fett · Dec 29, 2010

rubber glove, brake cleaner and a handfull of epoxy, should keep the fooker stuck in there for a while

wammers · Dec 29, 2010

blue beasty said:
stopping the leak is not the worry.....its a press fit and has moved so could pop under pressure at any time with no warning resulting in almost instant complete coolant loss.......if you really want to bodge it and risk your motor I'd do something like put a rim of instant metal around the outside to help retain the plug

Yeah i suppose that is possible. But if it's a shouldered plug unless the rim of it is sticking out past the surface it is fitted to that is reasonably unlikely. They are bastards to get out even when rusted through.

Datatek · Dec 29, 2010

Core plugs used to have a domed cetnre, a slight tap with a ball peen hammer in the centre of the dome would lock them in place no prob. Not sure if this applies to the V8 tho.

wammers · Dec 29, 2010

Datatek said:
Core plugs used to have a domed cetnre, a slight tap with a ball peen hammer in the centre of the dome would lock them in place no prob. Not sure if this applies to the V8 tho.

Think most alloy engines have the shouldered ones these days. Steel blocks still have the domed ones.

Datatek · Dec 29, 2010

wammers said:
Think most alloy engines have the sholdered ones these days. Steel blocks still have the domed ones.

OK, I always say I know nothing about old Buick V8's other than they have alloy blocks and slipped liners

wammers · Dec 29, 2010

Datatek said:
OK, I always say I know nothing about old Buick V8's other than they have alloy blocks and slipped liners

What old Buick V8 can you possibly be refering to?

jt_armstrong · Dec 30, 2010

wammers said:
You could always try some stop leak or radweld in it.

Update:-
Put some K-Seal in it and then made the 200 mile trip with no problems. Just checked the coolant level this morning and it hasn't drop at all. Fingers crossed that will hold until we get to some warmer weather.
By the way I managed 21.3MPG on the run - rangie was full to the gunnells and had a full tank of gas. Not bad going.

Thanks again for all the help and ideas.

blue beasty · Dec 30, 2010

jt_armstrong said:
Update:-
Put some K-Seal in it and then made the 200 mile trip with no problems. Just checked the coolant level this morning and it hasn't drop at all. Fingers crossed that will hold until we get to some warmer weather.
By the way I managed 21.3MPG on the run - rangie was full to the gunnells and had a full tank of gas. Not bad going.

Thanks again for all the help and ideas.

:5bdriving:YAAAAAY!

Frost Plugs

jt_armstrong

Well-Known Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

Dopey

Well-Known Member

jt_armstrong

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

jt_armstrong

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

fett

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Datatek

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

Datatek

Well-Known Member

wammers

No longer with us, RIP

jt_armstrong

Well-Known Member

blue beasty

Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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