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Engine Freeze Plugs

W

wayliff

Lifer
Could anyone explain to me the function of freeze plugs on an engine?

I have a 1992 Lebaron V6 and one of them is melting...or melted or looks melted.

What can cause this to happen?

Also it seems like the radiator fluid is full of clay or mud.

Thanks for the help.
 
Originally posted by: wayliff
Could anyone explain to me the function of freeze plugs on an engine?

I have a 1992 Lebaron V6 and one of them is melting...or melted.

What can cause this to happen?

Also it seems like the radiator fluid is full of clay or mud.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

When water freezes it expands. Ever put a can of coke in the refridgerator.

Try it and think of your engine on a sub freezing day.

A freeze plug will pop out and let the water loose.
 
Freeze plugs do what their name says. If the engine coolant freezes they're supposed to pop out, preventing the ice from busting the block. Old Chryslers had a problem where they would pop out and you'd lose your coolant (or at least I've seen this happen on a few of them).
 
I live in Sarasota, FL so there are no freezing temperatures most of the time.

Thanks for the replies...keep them coming.
 
Originally posted by: wayliff
I kind of understand the concept...why would it melt so bad?
Click to expand...

My guess would be that it's too warm

also, is your radiator fluid green color or brownish?
 
it is brownish...the mechanic did not want to drain the radiator because there's mud in it and he said that possibly the mud is keeping the radiator from leaking through the plug
 
Originally posted by: wayliff
it is brownish...the mechanic did not want to drain the radiator because there's mud in it and he said that possibly the mud is keeping the radiator from leaking through the plug
Click to expand...

well, that's either mud or your head/head gasket is cracked/blown. anyone want to explain to me how you get mud in your radiator?
 
what is the common life cycle of coolant? I remember I drained it last year and added fresh coolant with distilled water. Sometime last year.
 
Originally posted by: wayliff
what is the common life cycle of coolant? I remember I drained it last year and added fresh coolant with distilled water. Sometime last year.
Click to expand...

that coolant should still be good. your mechanic is an idiot if he thinks that it's mud in the radiator. check your oil, via the cap and dipstick, if it doesn't look like oil, ie: there is green or "mud", you are in need of a new engine/car
 
just wanted to mention another thing...don't know if it could be related. The compressor and the evaporator recently leaked all the freon.
So those have to be replaced as well...just about a month ago it happened. Going to be expensive.
 
the oil was just changed on friday and there was no trace of coolant or mud in the engine.

the mud = probably some kind of deposit.
 
Originally posted by: wayliff
the oil was just changed on friday and there was no trace of coolant or mud in the engine.

the mud = probably some kind of deposit.
Click to expand...

hmmm, the only thing that I can think of that would leave that kind of "deposit" is oil. unless your rad has holes in it and stuff gets in there from the outside
 
I can't remember which coolant I used but I can find out for tomorrow.
The oil was just changed last friday...I noticed the mud like substance about 3 weeks ago.
The old oil was ok.
 
Originally posted by: wayliff
I can't remember which coolant I used but I can find out for tomorrow.
The oil was just changed last friday...I noticed the mud like substance about 3 weeks ago.
The old oil was ok.
Click to expand...

well then, it sounds like the radiator needs to be flushed.
 
that is what I meant to have done on friday but since there's a freeze plug melted then the mechanic did not do it because he thought I might leak...and then it would be worse than to replace the plug and flush the radiator at the same time. I was not in town to decide.
 
thanks to everyone for the comments. Keep them coming. I still would like to hear why would this thing melt what other problems I could encounter.

Should I have all the freeze plugs replaced?
 
Originally posted by: scorpmatt
Originally posted by: wayliff
the oil was just changed on friday and there was no trace of coolant or mud in the engine.

the mud = probably some kind of deposit.
Click to expand...

hmmm, the only thing that I can think of that would leave that kind of "deposit" is oil. unless your rad has holes in it and stuff gets in there from the outside
Click to expand...

naw its corosion in the radiator or whatever from old coolant. whatever corrosion inhibitors are gone after a while.
 
I'm somewhat confused as to how a freeze plug could actually melt..

Anyway..is your coolant frothy, or just dirty? It could be a combination of rust and radiator stop-leak causing the nasty color..when I had a blown head gasket, the coolant was frothy/bubbly (exhaust in the coolant). Do you lose any coolant, or is the level stable?
 
I have not used stop leak in it.

Sometimes I loose coolant. I keep a good eye on it. I'd say I add a bit about once every 2 - 3months.
 
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