Freeze Plugs

[litch]

Bubbeling fetid crap.

Rational called about my truck, it seems like a freeze plug on the back of the engine rusted out and that's what caused my engine to overheat. Unfortunately there are only two ways to get to that plug, either pull the engine (3k) or cut a hole in the firewall and pound it in that way (300). The problem is if one plug is bad, the rest (~10) are probably close to ruined too. Of course they're alost all in similarly inaccessable location. And to add the creamy suprise at the end, there's no way of knowing until the cutting a hole in the firewall, replacing the plug, mending the hole in the firewall and repressurising the system to find out if the head gasket is ruptured.

Comments

[rjr.livejournal.com]

Whats a freeze plug for?

[jonabbey.livejournal.com]

Cheaper to pick up a used vehicle, then?

[litch.livejournal.com]

Definition: An expansion plug located in the side of an engine block that is supposed to protect the block against freeze damage. Water expands when it turns to ice, and if the coolant doesn't have enough antifreeze protection it can freeze and crack the engine block. The freeze plugs (there are several) are supposed to pop out under such conditions to relieve the pressure on the block. Freeze plugs can often be a source of troublesome leaks as a result of internal cooling system corrosion. Ease of replacement depends on accessibility.

[litch.livejournal.com]

I'm having him do the one and hoping it's enough and if so I will get out for under 500 which is cheaper than any used car.

But yeah, looks like I am going to have to start looking for a "new" car, and that truck is probably the only new car I ever intend to buy.

Sorry Truff, the money I had earmarked in my head for detailing it is now rolled into the repair fund.