99 ford explorer

Ok, no one wanted to give you the bad news then....

Usually the engine suffers damage when you freeze them. Usually it's terminal and takes out the rad and heater core just for good measure.

If you got lucky and only popped a core plug, then you just replace it after you buy a lottery ticket.

New core plugs tap in with a hammer and round tool of some sort. A large socket or pipe can work as the tool.

Sometimes you have to pull the engine to replace the core plugs so you can get at them.

Mike

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What he said, but especially the disc type core plugs are darn near impossible to seat correctly if you don't have a straight shot at them. The cup type ones are better (used on most cars since the 60's) but still not a piece of cake. You can get expanding type ones that you tighten with a nut, Dorman makes metal ones, they are a lifesaver for tight spaces where you otherwise wouldn't be able to do them in the car. I've used the rubber ones before as well but they aren't as elegant.

At this point you might as well just put in a new plug and hope for the best, but don't be surprised if there's collateral damage. Keep an eye on your coolant and oil for a while to make sure there's no cross-pollination going on.

nate

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com wrote in news:1171746637.650515.210520 @j27g2000cwj.googlegroups.com:

It's not a "freeze plug", depite the commonly used name. Those plugs fill holes that are there to get rid of water-jacket sand after the block is cast.

Chances are pretty good your block/heads have cracks elsewhere.

Most likely really tough with the lack of space around it.

You're probably better to get a block heater that installs in the hole and fill the hole with that.

.

As a "get you by" you can get a rubber freeze plug to replace it temporarily. You put the rubber plug in and tighten the bolt that runs through the middle of it and it squeezes the plug to expand it and make a good seal.

I would put that in first to see get you running again and see if there is any more damage before taking more drastic measures to fix it only to find that the block or head is cracked.

Steve B.

Thanks so much for the help just in kinda of a hurry as i have to be able to drive it to work tommorrow. Sorry for the secondary post,,, stressed out and not thinking straight, normally very laid back guy Again thanks for everyones help. Crosses fingers that plug is the only problem!

The temprature dropped below my antifreeze level and popped one o th

depends on the position of the plug. if it's in a water jacket unde an exhaust manifold, go to the parts store and buy a dorman expandabl plug. it's a "two" piece plug that has a stud and nu through the center put it in the hole, and tighten the nut. don