Engine Freeze Plugs

[KokomoGSTmp]

Originally posted by: flot
The freeze plug itself probably costs all of $4, however labor could be $$ depending on how hard it is to get to. (I believe it is simply a matter of yanking the old one out and hammering a new one in)

I believe they sell a type of "universal replacement" freeze plug that is much easier to install in tight areas than a hammer-in style metal plug. I've heard many old-timers say they work fairly well as stop-gaps.

Originally posted by: flot
What you SHOULD do is replace the freeze plug, have the radiator and cooling system flushed and possibly the radiator replaced if that yields problems, and then go from there to see how the rest of the cooling system is... however, add that plus the A/C problems, it might be cheaper to go buy another 1992 LeBaron!

Well, flushing the cooling system doesn't undo the damage done to it already. How do you think the water pump is doing spinning sludge for that long? Headgasket that's probably been slightly overheated dozens of times?? That's the reason I'm thinking it's not worth it to even try to fix the car since it's of so little value.

If I owned the car, I would flush, replace the freeze plugs and proceed to drive it into the ground since I don't have to pay for labor... and that's where all the major cost would be. You're going from $30 to over $300.

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Originally posted by: flot

Originally posted by: KokomoGSTmp
Freeze plugs do not protect the block... I've never seen or heard of anyone melting a freeze plug. I've heard of them leaking... never melting.

Of course they protect the block, why do you think they're called "freeze plugs" ?? I don't doubt that they serve secondary purposes as well, but pretty sure that's how they get their name. (so if you have water instead of coolant in your engine, and it freezes, they are pushed out to (try to) prevent more serious damage.

I agree with everyone else that they don't melt under any sort of normal condition (at least all the ones I've seen are metal) - however it is not unlikely for them to leak. And if your cooling system has "mud" in it, then it seems reasonable that this same glop is what is dripping down the side of your engine.

The freeze plug itself probably costs all of $4, however labor could be $$ depending on how hard it is to get to. (I believe it is simply a matter of yanking the old one out and hammering a new one in)

Now what you didn't mention is how much you are willing to spend, where this particular freeze plug is located, etc. You also didn't mention if you are the first owner of the car, which I doubt. And if you aren't - the coolant could be more stop-leak than antifreeze at this point. All kinds of muck can build up in a radiator after 13 years of no maintenance. What you SHOULD do is replace the freeze plug, have the radiator and cooling system flushed and possibly the radiator replaced if that yields problems, and then go from there to see how the rest of the cooling system is... however, add that plus the A/C problems, it might be cheaper to go buy another 1992 LeBaron!

PS: For $6 you can probably get a brass freeze plug which will last longer

Edit: I take it back, apparently there is quite a bit of debate about whether or not "freeze plugs" actually started as protection against freezing or simply as casting side-effects - however they certainly go bad on a regular basis and if there was not SOME intent to use them for freeze protection - it would have been a lot smarter of them to make a threaded plug instead.

see my earlier post

Text

First off, they?re not freeze plugs. Most people think these sheetmetal plugs in the side of cast-iron engine blocks are there to keep the block from cracking if the coolant freezes. Not true. They?re necessary for flushing sand-casting cores out of the freshly cast blocks at the foundry. Yes, they might push out of the side of the block if the coolant freezes, but they?re not there to prevent the block from cracking.


http://www.google.com/search?q=freeze+p...x&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aunofficial

 

[cavemanmoron]

too tired to explain it all,

"freeze" plugs,are also used to get the casting sand out of the block when
the engine is cast/forged.

to help make things simpler the coolant passages
also use the same frost/freeze plugs.

If you do not flush your coolant,and add anti rust inhibitors of some kind,
you will have problems.

I suggest finding a good Older mechanic,and get the coolant flushed,and
any bad freeze plugs changed.

This seems to be a larger problem in areas where the water is more alkaline.

Napa makes some good water coolant additive for your cars cooling system,
but,before it can help,you have to clean what you have.

It is possible,it might be cheaper to get another car,that was better maintained.

 

[wayliff]

I'm the second owner, it was bought from a dealer in 1992. It had around 20,000 when it was bought...I estimate that it has around 160,000 now.
The radiator was changed about 4 years ago, put a new one because the other one melted. A the radiator was drained during 2004, and everything fresh.

The plug is visible and it located next to the exhaust. My mechanic has spoken about hundreds of dollars (300 - 400) which I don't necessarily think is justified. But hey I'm not the mechanic who am I to say anything.

Yes it could be better to buy another lebaron however my lebaron has lifetime warranty on the transmission and that is a big plus. So don't want to just dump it.
I think I may consider to inject up to a $1000 in this car...but hard to say at the moment.

 

[wayliff]

Originally posted by: KokomoGSTmp

Originally posted by: flot
The freeze plug itself probably costs all of $4, however labor could be $$ depending on how hard it is to get to. (I believe it is simply a matter of yanking the old one out and hammering a new one in)

I believe they sell a type of "universal replacement" freeze plug that is much easier to install in tight areas than a hammer-in style metal plug. I've heard many old-timers say they work fairly well as stop-gaps.

Originally posted by: flot
What you SHOULD do is replace the freeze plug, have the radiator and cooling system flushed and possibly the radiator replaced if that yields problems, and then go from there to see how the rest of the cooling system is... however, add that plus the A/C problems, it might be cheaper to go buy another 1992 LeBaron!

Well, flushing the cooling system doesn't undo the damage done to it already. How do you think the water pump is doing spinning sludge for that long? Headgasket that's probably been slightly overheated dozens of times?? That's the reason I'm thinking it's not worth it to even try to fix the car since it's of so little value.

If I owned the car, I would flush, replace the freeze plugs and proceed to drive it into the ground since I don't have to pay for labor... and that's where all the major cost would be. You're going from $30 to over $300.

The sludge has been appearing probably since late april...like I mentioned before I have maintained the car...this is something very unusual for me.

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: OrganizedChaos

http://www.google.com/search?q=freeze+p...x&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aunofficial

From your google search...

Freeze plugs are discs or cup-shaped metal plugs in a block and cylinder head that are pressed into holes left in the casting through which the casting-sand core is removed when the part is made. The holes open into the cooling system and the plugs are supposed to pop out if the coolant freezes, thus preventing cracks

After a little reflection, I think it is safe to say that the HOLES are casting holes, however the PLUGS are freeze plugs.... does that make sense?

 

[wayliff]

Originally posted by: scorpmatt

Originally posted by: Crucial
You put dexcool in it didn't you. When's the last time you checked the oil. Is it foamy?

I hate dexcool, that stuff needs to diaf

Sorry it took so long.

Yes, Dexcool was the last thing that was used the last year when I drained the radiator.

 

[stephenw22]

Freeze plugs work as the name describes. I have seen engines which have frozen solid over winter due to an incorrect antifreeze/water ratio.

Mud gets into the coolant system when the car is operated in very dusty environments, and if the cooling system has an older-style overflow tank (i.e. not a pressure tank), or no overflow tank at all. I have seen (just yesterday, actually) green coolant that has turned brown due to the mud in it, and literally an inch of mud in the bottom of the overflow tank.

I've never seen a freeze plug melt. <speculation> But, if it's right next to the exhaust manifold, and there's a layer of mud/sludge in the coolant passage behind it, the sludge might act as an insulator, allowing the plug to get very hot, and maybe even melt????</speculation>

 

[funboy6942]

Originally posted by: arcenite
A freeze plug could melt if you overheat your motor.

But if it melts (haha) or is melting (haha) it will start to leak rad fluid everywhere. Thata a big hole behind it and any melting, warping, cracking of any kind and its going to leak out. Maybe the melting your describing is actually it has been leaking slightly and crap has started forming up around it. Is should be perfectly round made of aluminum or steel and in no way plastic for it to "melt".

Its actually just a plug for letting the sand out of the block during casting and why they call them freeze plugs is beyond me because engine blocks or heads crack before one of them give out.