A co-worker needs your help on a freeze plug

[Brett F.]

A co-worker needs your help ((((more info)))) scroll down

Hey guys and gals,

A co-worker of mine sent me the following message.

Okay Keith just called and indicated its a Freeze Plug thats leaking the radiator fluid (water?) so he indicated I need to take it to Quality Automovtive to have it done cause they might need to remove the engine? (Yikes)

What is a freeze plug and does it indeed need the engine removed to get to it?

This is on a OHV 93 XLT 4x4. She drives the same model as mine and I have helped her out before.

Can you guys help out?

 

[410Fortune]

Well it depends on where the plug is located inthe block, it might be necessary to lift the engine and possibly remove a motor mount, but again it depends on which freeze plug. remove the tire and inner fender liner and that should help get access to it.

I would first confirm the coolant is coming from the freeze plug, intakes are a more likely source on these engines, it could appear to be the plug.

Its pretty easy to re-install the plug once you have access to it.

 

[Brett F.]

Cool thanks 410

What is it for?

 

[410Fortune]

freeze plug is basically a metal cap that fits in the side of the engine block really tight and seals it up. The holes they cover are required for assembling the lower end of the engine, so the holes must be there.

A hammer and socket are all thats needed to drive it back into place and seal it up (metal on metal)

I lsot one in my boat last year, what a fiasco that was! It was the one directly behid the engine mount, so I had to unbolt the engine hoist it up to support the weight, remove the mount, then clean up the freeze plug (wire brush) Install took 45 seconds, the job took 4 hours.

 

[DeRocha]

Here is the definition of a Freeze Plug. Basically if you don't have enought anti-freeze in your coolant it will freeze.. When this happens the expanding ice will burst the radiator (it'll be trashed) and push out the freeze plugs in your engine block saving you from completely destroying the engine.

 

[410Fortune]

ah dual purpose I forgot.

 

[410Fortune]

also they can come loose without the freeze

 

[slravene]

you can reach them all without removing the engine....i popped one last year, and you can reach them all. (at least on a second gen i could) it just takes a little wiggling and laying on top of the engine in strange positions. just make sure the engine is cold when you start the search for them good luck

 

[Brett F.]

Thanks guys. She wants me to give it a shot first and since she is my manager I'm clocking out after I'm done at least trying but I wont be stuck behind a desk all day.

Thanks for the info.

 

[410Fortune]

well it sounds like the plug is still in place, so as long as you can get a hammer to it and LIGHTLY tap it back in it should be a cake walk.

Whatever you do dont hit too hard or only on one side, it must go in EVEN, its a delicate proceedure.

I want your manager, I would be out int he parking lot 8 hours a day working on her stuff

 

[Brett F.]

yeah but screw up royally and she lets you know it and all those around you can hear.

but hey on Fridays after work the first round is on her.

 

[410Fortune]

hahahah true
and its not nice to spill drinks on your boss.

is she hot? married?








hahaha totally kidding BTW.

 

[Brett F.]

Well she decided to get a quote instead of me spending the day off the phone. What do you guys think.

Cheryl says:
Guess what! The quote is $1874.67.. Geezzzzzz
Brett says:
WHAT!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!
Cheryl says:
No kdding!
Cheryl says:
their like ..
Brett says:
you could buy a new engine and have it installed for less
Cheryl says:
right rear coil plug (((what ??)))
Cheryl says:
Right front intake gasket
Cheryl says:
left front engine block leaking ((think this is the freeze plug))
Cheryl says:
left side frong ?? cover gasket leaking
Cheryl says:
oh yeah and we'll throw in an oil change, freeze plus and coolant
Cheryl says:
gulp!

I'm wondering if I caould do all of this and at least save her some $$$.

 

[slravene]

"leaking" is a very general term. If i were you, i would just take 10 min or so to look over all those parts and see what exactly she got quoted on. Around here some shops will try and replace every single part that is showing even the slightest signs of wear...i will almost guarantee that at least one of those parts does not need to be touched.

 

[Brett F.]

That is what I was thinking. The freeze plug is leaking but the rest are not as critical and I drive it yesterday and it drove fine just the leak is the issue I'm not sure I can do correctly.

Getting a fax from the garage and will post here for more ideas.

 

[410Fortune]

get a second opinion. They want $1900+ to fix leaks?

Cars leak..

Is she having problems with the truck?

 

[Brett F.]

The freeze plug is leaking enough to steam when she gets here to work.

 

[DeRocha]

I wouldn't touch my boss's car unless we were working on it together... Just imagine if you screw something up. That would really suck :thumbdwn: (for both of you). Its one thing to tap in a freeze plug, but entirely different if you have to tear into the head etc..

 

[Brett F.]

More info the fax just came in. I called the people for better explination.

Right Rear cylinder Head Rear Plug (((freeze plug from what they told me)))
$831.16 to remove engine and put in plugs at $10 each.

Right front intake gasket Leaking Left side block plug
$40

Left side front timing cover gasket leaking
$554.11

coolant
$11.90

Sealer
$9

Oil change
$29

Intake gasket
$232.60

Timing cover set
$103


I feel she might be getting played. What do you guys think?

 

[410Fortune]

I think you push the leakuing freeze plug back into place and see if the steam stops.

the rest can wait unless it is causing any issues.

Engines leak fluids, its pretty common after a few miles, unless it is leaving puddles or causeing issues with the performance I say live with it until something really breaks.
this shop is probably telling the truth about what it will cost to fix all this stuff, but what really needs to be fixed? the freeze plug, I agree. Do you have to remove the engine and replace the other 9? well I guess that depends, I would first wanna see if I could just tap the leaking one back into place first.