Freeze Plug Replacement

There is a special tool for this procedure; an alternative might be a socket sized to fit on a "wobble" extension. Alternately I have had to resort to the rubber expandable plugs on some of my cars where I just can't get a good shot at them, especially the older ones that use the "disc" type freeze plugs. I've also heard that there's copper cup type plugs that you set in and expand with a wrench, but my FLAPS looks at me like I'm speaking in tongues when I try to describe this to them.

nate

I flush the system annually for him and install new 50/50 Prestone.

I stopped using metal plugs just because of the problems you describe.Been using rubber plugs that expand with a nut on the outside for years, Easy install and they DO last . They also pop out when they're supposed to. A little more expensive but compared to the time factor , really cheap . ( Reduces the "frustration factor" by a considerable amount and they don't rust out) Will

Although, Shep, I have seen them rust from the outside-in, espoecially where they're getting nailed with salt-spray.

Scott, if you don't mind the thought you may have to do it again in 5 years or so, there is a rubber core-plug with a nut that you insert into the hole, tighten the nut, and the plug expands.

Especially useful for clunkers where pulling the engine is too much work for the worth of the car.

-Dave

Use a block heater for a plug...nothing says you have to use it :)

Doesn't have to be a block heater. They make rubber expanding plugs for this purpose.

There are expandable rubber sealed plugs that are a bit easier to get in.

I normally have a cheapo socket wrench that I use to drive in the Welch plugs.

But in those tight spots, you just have to take it easy, align them the best you can,and tap them in with as big a hammer as you can get in there.

As someone else said, you can, at times, remove a motor mount completely or simply disconnect it and jack up the engine.

When you get that SOB out, feel down in the block with your finger to see if it is clean, or if there is stopleak mud lying down around the plugs.

Be sure your coolant recovery system is working, to keep out as much air as you can, and continue to refresh coolant on schedule.

To make it even easier, you can buy an adaptor for an air chisel that fits the end of the tool handle that allows using your air chisel as an installation tool.