It looks like the OP isn’t a current member, I don’t think he’s been around since he originally dropped in here for help 13 years ago. Lucky Oreo hasn’t logged on for almost two years. I don’t think either will be chiming in with any feedback.
Leaking Freeze Plug
- Thread starter Knoxnate
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
It looks like the OP isn’t a current member, I don’t think he’s been around since he originally dropped in here for help 13 years ago. Lucky Oreo hasn’t logged on for almost two years. I don’t think either will be chiming in with any feedback.
Gotcha. Thanks for the heads up. I might post a new thread to find some relevant testimonials
UPDATE: new thread here Cracked Block 1FZ-FE
Last edited:
BillyGoatMTB
SILVER Star
Bump
Found this today, the freeze plug is out further than all the others, maybe just tap it back in or replace it?
Thanks MUD
Found this today, the freeze plug is out further than all the others, maybe just tap it back in or replace it?
Thanks MUD
Last edited:
Bump
Found this today, the freeze plug is out further than all the others, maybe just tap it back in or replace it?
Thanks MUD
View attachment 2413845
View attachment 2413847
Have you read through this thread? Looks to be the same spot that several people have had coolant leaks, only to find that the block is cracked just under the freeze plug.
I’d clean the area thoroughly and investigate closely to see if you have the infamous crack.
BillyGoatMTB
SILVER Star
Update
Yes sir, i read through and cleaned her up.
I posted hoping it was only the freeze plug, looks like a hairline crack.
Is it time to pull the engine and get a new short block?
Idk, people take extreme measures for minor issues all the time. I would probably just keep a gallon in the truck and top off as needed unless the leak was to the point that it was too much to practically manage by topping off a bit every tank of gas. How much coolant are you losing and how often?
I'm not sure what the OP ended up doing.
I ended up draining coolant, pulling the freeze plug, grinding a V-notch along the crack (and tried stop-drilling the crack but who knows if I actually hit the end), then filling the notch with JB weld.
That said, my "fix" only lasted a year or so and I'm planning to try again. The leak is so slow that I just keep a bottle of coolant with me and top off as needed, like @Funner said.
There are more invasive means of addressing cracks like "metal stitching" but most would require pulling the motor anyway.. if you do that, might as well drop in a replacement.
BillyGoatMTB
SILVER Star
Thanks
The tiny bit on the side of the block is the amount of coolant I've lost not much at all. sounds like it's not an immediate worry I carry a bottle of distilled water with me anyway along with some other fluids.
I'm not quite ready but my plan was to just go with a new factory Short block when the time comes, I've had the truck one year and put about 250 hours into her so far.
It sounds like this crack isn't immediate and I can keep driving it while monitoring?
have you seen or read any reports about catastrophic failures from this common freeze plug area issue with a hairline?
Thanks MUD
The tiny bit on the side of the block is the amount of coolant I've lost not much at all. sounds like it's not an immediate worry I carry a bottle of distilled water with me anyway along with some other fluids.
I'm not quite ready but my plan was to just go with a new factory Short block when the time comes, I've had the truck one year and put about 250 hours into her so far.
It sounds like this crack isn't immediate and I can keep driving it while monitoring?
have you seen or read any reports about catastrophic failures from this common freeze plug area issue with a hairline?
Thanks MUD
I've never heard anything about catastrophic failure unless you were to lose the freeze plug altogether but I don't see any way the crack would cause that.
I've been driving mine like this for 3 years and I'm sure the crack started long before then - there was evidence of a previous repair attempt when I found the leak. Just monitor the coolant level and you should be fine.
BillyGoatMTB
SILVER Star
I've neglected the issue until now, and am starting to look into it again. I had a rear heater line rust out and leak coolant all over the garage, so I finally decided to take the time and address all the issues I can do myself at home. Looks like my neglect made the situation worse. Found the freeze plug area that's been seeping for the past 3 yrs with a thick layer of what looks like a calcium buildup. And as I scraped away at it, it definitely revealed the crack and looks like crack has made it further down the block
BillyGoatMTB
SILVER Star
My hairline crack is of course still there and still weeping a tiny bit of coolant. It's just a sheen of pink on the block.
I've been thinking about replacing the freeze plug, but based on my reading, the leak does not go away. Has anyone had any success long-term?
I've been thinking about replacing the freeze plug, but based on my reading, the leak does not go away. Has anyone had any success long-term?
BillyGoatMTB
SILVER Star
Hey I wondered how you were doing with this. Glad I checked back. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like I should just leave it alone.......
Or add bars stop leak.......
Any tips in removing and installing the freeze plug? I need to remove the second one from the left. Looks hard to get to when the engine is inside the car.
Do I need to clear anything obstructing my access to the freeze plug, like the starter or engine wiring harness? Thanks
I knocked a freeze plug in when I was attempting to put a block heater on my truck.
BillyGoatMTB
SILVER Star
I did my freeze plug with the block in the truck still, if the intake is off its easy and if the block was out it would have been even easier.
Billygoat's tips would be:
Use a punch and hammer, tap at the top of the freeze plug to "Tip" it out at and angle, this method allows the bottom to rotate out, thus helping to prevent the plug from falling into the block. Tapping the top and catching the bottom rotates the round plugs on the sides.
Clean up the opening with some green scotchbrite.
Using a bearing cap / sleeve installer or socket that fits inside the new plug, tap the new plug in straight on, paying attention to the depth the other plugs are at. Tiny taps straight on and adjust the socket or bearing / sleeve installer as needed to apply additional force to the an area not as deep as the others while tapping in.
Hope that answers your question, good luck!
