where are the freeze plugs? - Page 2 - Fuelly Forums

Click here to see important news regarding the aCar App

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-28-2007, 10:17 AM   #11
Registered Member
 
brucepick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 722
Country: United States
Location: Connecticut
Does the plug thread in and then pop out under pressure if the coolant freezes?? Or is it not really a freeze plug in function, and serves mainly as a place to install a block heater?
__________________

__________________
Currently getting +/- 50 mpg in fall weather. EPA is 31/39 so not too shabby. WAI, fuel cutoff switch, full belly pan, smooth wheel covers.

Now driving '97 Civic HX; tires ~ 50 psi. '89 Volvo 240 = semi-retired.
brucepick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2007, 11:00 AM   #12
Registered Member
 
jadziasman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 324
Country: United States
It is a drain plug. I called it a freeze plug so that the originator of the thread understood where to look for it. It has fine threads and is used to drain the coolant from the block for maintenance.
__________________

jadziasman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2007, 02:58 PM   #13
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 28
Country: United States
THe website hasnt been letting me post a response, so here goes again. I figured the drain plug was the spot for the blockheater, but i didnt have it in my hand to see whether it had threads. This is the first block ive seen without an actual freeze plug. I did recieve the block heater today and it is threaded. Thanks for all the help.
rlprlp1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-28-2007, 05:23 PM   #14
Registered Member
 
jadziasman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 324
Country: United States
Happy to help. Let us know how well it works for you. I just might buy one myself.
jadziasman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2007, 09:05 AM   #15
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 28
Country: United States
couldnt get the drain plug out, binding really bad when all most all the way out. Didnt want to take a chance of not being able to get it back in. Started to bugger the head of the bolt up, even using a metrinch socket. May try agian in the summer months, when i have more time to pull the exaust manifold off radiator and all the other good stuff. Some one doesnt want me to put a block heater on.
rlprlp1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2007, 11:03 AM   #16
Registered Member
 
jadziasman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 324
Country: United States
Did you use a six point socket? It might still come out using one. If you are able to move the plug out slightly then you will be able to shoot some pb blaster in there to get it out the rest of the way. It's likely that the drain plug was never removed b4. Bummer!!!
jadziasman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2007, 01:39 PM   #17
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 28
Country: United States
Metrinch sockets are about the same as a six point socket except that it grips the flats of the bolt instead of the edges. I got it out about halfway and was able to spray some brute blast in. I was having to use a cheater bar and was afraid that i would end not being able to get the block heater in.
rlprlp1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-29-2007, 03:53 PM   #18
Registered Member
 
jadziasman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 324
Country: United States
Wow that sucker is really tight!! I have removed the plug from both of my VX's without needing an extension on the 1/2 drive ratchet. It's even more amazing because of the fine threads on the plug. You will also be surprised how many turns of the ratchet it takes to completely remove the plug. You are right to be careful. Chances are that you could retap the threads but finding the tap you need might be tough.

Oh well, that's how it goes with older cars and rust. Makes me wish I would have lived 50 years into the future (and still working on cars). By that time, materials science will be able to make rust a not so fond memory.
jadziasman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2007, 12:33 PM   #19
Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 28
Country: United States
going to have to try an get this out again this week, damn thing is seeping now.
rlprlp1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2007, 01:38 PM   #20
Registered Member
 
GasSavers_bobski's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 463
Country: United States
Yeah, that's the problem with that drain plug - you have to replace the seal every time you remove it, or it will leak. I would try getting the engine up to operating temp and then try loosening it. The aluminum block and steel bolt expand at different rates when heated, so it may give you a little free play, making the job much easier. Of course, trying to remove a 180°F bolt that's situated next to a 300-500°F cast iron exhaust manifold and is holding back a couple gallons of 180°F coolant isn't going to be a fun job, either.
I would suggest draining all the coolant and heating the bolt with a torch, but the only way to drain the coolant from the engine block is by either removing the engine and tilting it to drain, or by removing that drain bolt.
__________________

GasSavers_bobski is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Oregon-Washington: Winter gas ending, summer gas formula starting? 740dan General Fuel Topics 5 02-26-2013 09:17 PM
Ave MPG higher than best ever tonedepear Fuelly Web Support and Community News 2 06-04-2011 04:06 PM
List of Fuel Efficient Cars kickflipjr General Fuel Topics 15 06-13-2010 11:26 AM
pulse up or pulse down a hill, higher or lower gear perris Hypermiling 9 07-16-2007 09:33 PM
Drafting behind a Truck GasSavers_roadrunner Hypermiling 20 12-23-2006 11:17 PM

» Fuelly iOS Apps
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.