Freeze plug replacement question

[ZackN920]

How hard is it to change out freeze/expansion plugs on the sides of the block? Can I do it with the engine in the Jeep? Mine have always leaked while I've owned the Jeep. Small leak's, but there has always been green driplets hanging off the engine.

I bought some brass plugs from rockauto with my order of other cooling system goodies. I figured that while I change out the radiator, that would be the best time to do freeze plugs too... If I can get to them.
If I'm going to get stuck in the process though, due to limited space under the hood- im not touchin' em! I can deal with topping off the reservoir once a month!

If I can do them, I've got some cleaning ahead of me. Get rid of all the corrosion/dirt/oil first.

[gpcl16]

It depends on which one your trying to replace. Some are easier to get to than others. Invariably the one that's leaking is always the hardest one to get to. That's just how it works.

[Tripwire]

a looooong time ago i had to use a rubber expandable one on a friends car, it seemed to do the trick...dunno if i would use it long term.... but if push comes to shove -

[ZackN920]

You sure got that right gpcl16! The one that looks to leak the most is behind the drivers side engine mount.

rubber expandable... I don't know about that... Not sure if that's something i'd want to do... I already purchased brass plugs, they were pretty cheap on RA. I just don't know if I'll have enough space. I like having space to work. If it were up to me, this would be a job to do with the engine on a stand, but I have no plans to pull it out as of yet.

[wiley-moeracing]

they make some special tools to install them with for the hard to reach areas. or you could take it to a shop and have them do it.

[TexasJ10]

Waiting is not a good option. Your current seep will be a gush exactly at a time you can least afford it. Plus it is always bad to have antifreeze leaking when all your neighbors are wondering why their pets died.

[ZackN920]

WileyMoe-
Special tools huh, ok. I'll check out google and see what I can find.

Under my ownership this Jeep has not and WILL NOT be worked on by anyone other than myself(and occasionally dad when he wants to help). I will not pay someone else to work on my Jeep or any of my other vehicles for that matter while I am still able to myself. So that's not an option.


TexasJ10-
It's been waiting for at least the last 3 years that I've owned it. Probably longer with how the po's were. It's only left the bottom of the engine wet. Unlike the radiator that is leaving puddles on the ground every time I drive it...


Neighbors pets have no reason to be in my driveway, and the gravel sucks up any leaks. Only time I notice leaks in the gravel is when there's snow. I don't think modern coolant can even hurt animals or people anymore. Unless your drinkin' it out of the jug!


Hey, anyone know if I can pull the whole engine mount out of the way? Looks like I should be able to get it off the engine, but I don't know if I can pull the whole bracket off the frame.

[wiley-moeracing]

What you will need is a floor jack, block of wood and tools, you can remove the motor mounts( 4 bolts hold them to the frame) to get at the freeze plugs. If you do this them you do not need to purchase the off set freeze plug installation tools. it will take a little longer to do this but make sure you change all the freeze plugs while in there. Since you have them out, clean out the holes inside the block and flush them out, you get a lot of sediment inside and this will help your cooling a bit.

[tgreese]

The rubber expandable ones are ok. They are mostly used for emergency repairs. We sold those when I worked auto parts counter many years ago, and they seemed to work fine. They don't last forever, but they will last or a few years. I'd keep a spare of the right size with the car, in case I ever had trouble with the one in the block.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/c-354-expansion-plugs-quick-seal-rubber.aspx

They also make a copper expanding plug, but I don't know much about those.

[ZackN920]

What you will need is a floor jack, block of wood and tools, you can remove the motor mounts( 4 bolts hold them to the frame) to get at the freeze plugs. If you do this them you do not need to purchase the off set freeze plug installation tools. it will take a little longer to do this but make sure you change all the freeze plugs while in there. Since you have them out, clean out the holes inside the block and flush them out, you get a lot of sediment inside and this will help your cooling a bit.

Awesome.

The plan is to change the 3 (6 total)on each side of the engine, even though for the most part it's the 3 on the driver side I'm worried about.
hmmm Clean out... well, I can see about scooping with my hands or vacuuming it out but actually running water through it would be a pain. I was planning on working in the garage, me and a hose in the garage always equals a big mess that ends up everywhere in the building. May have to roll it into the yard outside the building, and that'll be hard with the engine supported by a jack I'd have to loosely remount the engine mount

Coolant always came out if this thing looking clean. Radiator (even though its leaking) look's clean inside as well. I've had(still have!) good heat... Ya think it'd still have sediment and junk in the engine?

What's everybody's thoughts on installing brass plugs? Install dry or with a sealer of some kind?

[ZackN920]

The rubber expandable ones are ok. They are mostly used for emergency repairs. We sold those when I worked auto parts counter many years ago, and they seemed to work fine. They don't last forever, but they will last or a few years. I'd keep a spare of the right size with the car, in case I ever had trouble with the one in the block.

https://www.dormanproducts.com/c-354-expansion-plugs-quick-seal-rubber.aspx

They also make a copper expanding plug, but I don't know much about those.

I've been doing some reading and have seen others actually get several years out of these things! In the range of 20! To be honest, I was kinda shocked.

Have not seen anything about a copper expanding plug, just regular steel or brass freeze/core plugs.


Ya know guys, I'm not really worried about install much now. What im worried about is how the old ones will come out. Most things on this Jeep are stuck and stubborn. Wonder if they'll cock out for me, or if im going to peel the flat sides like a can and fight for HOURS with the outer rings still stuck in the block!

[Towtruck]

This is a link with photos of the Dorman copper plugs. I'm going to use them on my leaking Jaguar because there's no access to drive in conventional plugs.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/dorman-autograde-expansion-plug-quick-seal-copper-1-1-2-in-maximum-expansion-153-in-sold-by-each-568-009/22146401-p?c3ch=PLA&c3nid=22146401-P&msclkid=ac87e49d8d9317c41b14b851ce18bc5e&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=b_pla_all_engine%2Fparts_cylinder%2Fblock%2Fcomponents_gen_gen_all_all_aap_us_all&utm_term=4580359285091961&utm_content=Bing_PLA_AG_Engine%20Parts_Cylinder%20Block%20Components_Expansion%2Ffreeze%20Plugs%20Indiv.&gclid=CP6Tpo29_-ECFQuWxQId0uwG3g&gclsrc=ds

[tgreese]

... What im worried about is how the old ones will come out. Most things on this Jeep are stuck and stubborn. Wonder if they'll cock out for me, or if im going to peel the flat sides like a can and fight for HOURS with the outer rings still stuck in the block!

IIRC - drive the point of the bar through the center, and pry it out. Destructive removal.

https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Proto-J2126-12-Inch-Rolling/dp/B002FCGE4M

[tgreese]

...
What's everybody's thoughts on installing brass plugs? Install dry or with a sealer of some kind?

Permatex #1.

[rang-a-stang]

When I installed my brass freeze plugs, I rubbed the inside of the hole with a very light coating of "The Right Stuff" black then inserted the plug. My machinist recommended "The Right Stuff" and when I googled it, I saw nothing but good about it (other than cost). So far mine do not leak. I say if you are going to go through the effort of replacing the freeze plugs ALWAYS use brass. They will outlive your engine. Figure on it taking a Saturday. If all goes well, 4 hours but knowing it NEVER all goes well, so a Saturday.

Clean the hole out with a stiff wire brush. Don't get the cheapies from Harbor Freight or you will break one off in your block, then good luck getting it. Get the ones that are about the size of a tooth brush. Also, some emory cloth works well, too. Make sure you do your TStat (195 Degree) while you have your cooling system drained.

Then fill your truck with straight distilled water. Run it like that until (at least) you have had normal operating temps for 20 mins. Turn if off, drain it, pull your rad again, rinse it out, and repeat one or two times. Then just drain the Rad and fill with 2 gallons of green concentrate and Water Wetter.