Engine Freeze Plugs

[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 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.

 

[alkemyst]

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.

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.

 

[Kenazo]

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).

 

[Heisenberg]

Yeah, they basically prevent the block from cracking if your coolant freezes.

 

[wayliff]

I live in Sarasota, FL so there are no freezing temperatures most of the time.

Thanks for the replies...keep them coming.

 

[wayliff]

I kind of understand the concept...why would it melt so bad?

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: wayliff
I kind of understand the concept...why would it melt so bad?

My guess would be that it's too warm

also, is your radiator fluid green color or brownish?

 

[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

 

[0roo0roo]

radiator fluid needs to be changed..more often. yea aged radiator fluid looks kinda icky

 

[scorpmatt]

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

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?

 

[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.

 

[scorpmatt]

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.

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

 

[wayliff]

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.

 

[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.

 

[Crucial]

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

 

[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.

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

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[scorpmatt]

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.

well then, it sounds like the radiator needs to be flushed.

 

[wayliff]

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.

 

[wayliff]

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?

 

[0roo0roo]

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.

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

naw its corosion in the radiator or whatever from old coolant. whatever corrosion inhibitors are gone after a while.

 

[jlee]

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?

 

[wayliff]

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.

 

[wayliff]

Well maybe it's not melted but I think it is.
It looks like a melted ooze right on it.