Alternate Freeze Plugs in an Car
Freeze plugs, very notorious as expansion plugs, are tiny, round plugs fabricated outside of metal that are installed in a collection of locations on the surface of an engine block. The main purpose of freeze plugs is to prevent the engine block from cracking in the event that water and/or coolant inside the engine block freezes. If the water freezes, its volume becomes larger and could crack the block. Instead of the block cracking, the freeze plug will pop out, allowing the frozen water to escape. Old freeze plugs can cause an engine to leak and should be replaced if necessary.
Instructions
1. Remove the engine from the car if possible. Because of the amount of components that surround an engine block when it's installed in the engine bay, freeze plugs may be difficult to remove and install properly.
2. Drain the coolant from the radiator into an appropriate container. Freeze plugs are available from machine shops and auto parts stores. The freeze plug will not slide into the hole and needs to be tapped in.8. Tap the freeze plug into the hole by placing a socket that is large enough to cover its entire top surface and tapping it with a hammer until the plug is seated in the hole.
This may include items like alternators, starters, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, etc.
4. Place the tip of a sharp punch against the edge of the freeze plug where it meets the metal of the engine block. Use a hammer to tap the punch against the edge of the plug so that it spins in the hole which it is installed. This may take a few tries since freeze plugs are tightly installed. Try not to mar the engine block when doing this.
5. Pull the freeze plug out with pliers once it has spun in the engine block and is loose. You can also gently tap one side of the plug to get it cockeyed in the hole so that you can pull it out, but be careful not to push the plug into the engine block's coolant passage.
6. Clean the hole where the plug was located with a rag and some degreaser to remove any dirt and oil.
7. Coat the outer edge of the freeze plug where it seats in the block with Loc-tite. Place the new, properly sized freeze plug in the hole. If the coolant is not drained, it may come pouring out of the engine block's coolant passages when the freeze plugs are removed.3. Remove any components that block access to the freeze plugs that you are trying to access if the engine is still in the car.
It may help to put a six-inch extension on the end of the socket to make it easier to hold in place on the freeze plug. Tap the plug in evenly so that it sits flush with the edge of the block.
