I almost had a heart attack when I crawled under the jeep this morning and found a little puddle of antifreeze. I couldn't spot the leak at first, then I took it out for a short drive, came home and crawled under there looking for it. I found a drip from one of the freeze plugs. How do I stop this leak? Do I need to change the plug? how do I remove the old one and ensure the new one doesn't leak?
HomeBrewer did pass the time by typing:
You got it. Time to change out the casting plug (also called Welch plug). Also time to look at the others. How's your antifreeze level and mix?
Gonna have to drain the block/radiator. Little square plug on the block usually takes a square bit. Or you might be able to just drain the lower radiator hose. If you wear contact lenses take them out. Antifreeze will alter the lens chemically and could fuse it to your eye! (personal experience)
Then it's time to get that plug out. You can get a tool just place a screwdriver up against one side and smack it with a hammer till the plug rotates in the hole, then grab it with some vice grips and pull it out. Putting in the new one just takes a socket about the same size as the plug and a few taps with a mallet.
Or you can spring big bucks for a silly tool.
Make sure the opening is clean. You can put a bit of sealant on the plug but that's not usually necessary.
This is a good read.
Is that in the 'new' engine?
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT'sHomeBrewer wrote:
Yes, that's why I'm holding my breath every time I look uder the thing, hoping I don't find a puddle of liquid. So far, just a little antifreeze from that one freeze plug.
50-50 mix new engine with only a few miles - they are all new - just one is leaking.
I don't, but good tip - ouch!
Should I avoid poking a hole in it?
I have enough silly tools that I'll never use again.
I installed a block heater once when I lived in ND, and I seem to remember using sealant on that, but I can't remembe taking out the plug....
HomeBrewer did pass the time by typing:
Doesn't matter. You just don't want the plug to fall into the casting. Usually the screwdriver won't poke a hole it will just cause the plug to rotate so you can grab it with some vice grips.
Some replace the plug with a coil and others simply bolt to the block.
You say in another post, they all are new. Do you mean all the frost plugs are new?
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT'sHomeBrewer wrote:
Yes, normally that is how the really strong stuff is used. You put it in long enough with water until the leak stops, let it sit for a certain length of time, then flush the crap out of it.
Check engine rebuilders for it. It should have directions.....
I also do not believe in using the crap on a 'new' engine, but if they did a crappy clean and fit on one plug, how good are the rest, especially the ones you can't see.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT'sMotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.