Replacing Freeze Plug '02 4.6L

[DavidS]

I think I've got a rusted out freeze plug on my '02 Explorer 4.6L EB. It starts dumping coolant out the back of the engine after being cold started in a couple of minutes. I was told that this engine has three freeze plugs, all on the rear of the block. I was also told that I'd have to remove the transmission and front transfer case to access them. Can anyone confirm this? Any ideas as to cost to have a shop pull the trannny and transfer case? Thanks in advance!

 

[mrdsweet03]

hi yes there is 2 freeze out plugs in the block and also one in each head as well

 

[swetrid]

Double ck your intake manifold and gaskets, they leak and tend to run back the cylinderhead and appear to leak from rear of engine.

 

[mrdsweet03]

02 should not have rusted out freeze out plug but its possible on the early 4.6 the tube under the intake had rubber hose on one end they rot and blow in 98 they changed the tub to one piece im not sure they are on that model in the vally of the motor for water to drain check the intake around the thermostat housing and rear corners the heater hose on the right side can leak

 

[EasyRhino]

I'm thinking that a rear of the engine freeze plug would be a very unlikely location to corrode through unless maybe the coolant sytem was not maintained, but even then I would expect other parts to fail first.

Side of the block freeze plugs can go in areas where roads are salted, but the rear plugs are pretty well protected from road salt.

I agree with others here - I would look again for the cause before I authorized pulling the tranny to get the these UNSEEN freeze plugs.

 

[96eb96]

Another poster mentioned this too...
these engines (4.6L) go in town cars and the older thunderbirds..they have a hidden coolant tube that connects the water pump to the to the heater. It goes thru the valley under the intake. the tube has a rubber section that is very common to leak, and I heard of them corroding. Probably have to remove the alternator to see coolant in the valley. I'm pretty sure the 02s would have it, its worth to check. See this alot on other boards - people think its a freeze plug.

 

[kenc195]

I have water coming out of my 2002 4.6 at a machine hole in the back of the engine