I'd recommend doing it
every three years or 60,000 miles
– given the cost of the consequences. Tom: If you don't have good rust inhibitors, rust will attack the weakest link in the engine block. That's the freeze plugs – which are designed to give way if the engine freezes, preventing your block from cracking.
How do I know if my freeze plugs are bad?
If you
have water or coolant leaking from the side of your engine or between the engine & transmission
, you most likely have a bad freeze plug. Sometimes the hole in the freeze plug is very small, and can periodically be blocked by debris from the cooling system.
Are freeze plugs hard to replace?
Replacing freeze plugs is not hard
, but getting to them can be really tough with the engine in the vehicle. If you can't get the plug replaced in the car, then you may need to visit your local NAPA AutoCare Center for assistance.
How much does it cost to have a freeze plug replaced?
Researching online, an easy to reach freeze plug could cost anywhere from
$200 to $400
, whereas a freeze plug that requires the mechanic to lift the engine or transmission out can cost anywhere from $900 to more than $1,800.
Can you reuse a freeze plug?
No – do not re-use it
. The sides of a freeze plug are slightly tapered to become a press fit in the opening. Once the plug has been used, the sides have been bent in and it will not fit as tightly as it should. They are so cheap that it's not worth the brain power to even think about it.
What causes a freeze plug to go bad?
In some cases, as the water freezes and expands in your block, the freeze plugs will push out relieving the pressure of the freezing water and partially draining your cooling system. … However, freeze plugs can also start to leak over time simply due to
the heating and cooling cycles of driving your car
.
Can you drive with a bad freeze plug?
If you have no other option,
you may be able to drive with a bad freeze plug
. … As long as you keep your engine coolant full and your engine never gets hot, you could limp your car along with a leaking freeze plug although we never recommend it. It's messy and at any point could leak to your engine overheating.
When should I replace my freeze plugs?
I'd recommend doing it
every three years or 60,000 miles
– given the cost of the consequences. Tom: If you don't have good rust inhibitors, rust will attack the weakest link in the engine block. That's the freeze plugs – which are designed to give way if the engine freezes, preventing your block from cracking.
How long does freeze plugs last?
Antifreeze has certain properties that can cause freeze plugs to rust. To avoid this, change your antifreeze every
three years
. If antifreeze isn't changed, or if you use plain water, the freeze plugs will rust until the coolant falls out and the plugs need to be removed.
What freeze plugs do?
Freeze plugs were originally used
to protect engines from cold-related damage
. If the coolant inside an engine freezes, it may cause the block to crack. … Freeze plugs prevent this from happening by allowing the frozen water to expand out the plugs' passages. After a freeze plug has failed, however, it must be replaced.
Will Stop Leak fix leaking freeze plug?
It easily seals leaks in plastic, aluminum, and metal radiators, heater cores, gaskets, and freeze plugs. One other benefit is this stop leak can be
added to
the cooling system without having to flush out the antifreeze.
Is there a freeze plug behind the motor?
They appear as circular holes in the outside of the head or block, and have metal pressure-fitted plugs that keep the water inside the engine. When freeze plugs rust or blow out, they leak and must be replaced. Some freeze plugs have difficult access locations, like those that sit next to motor mounts.
What is a cylinder plug?
See pictures of car engines. … They're aptly named as well; spark plugs are simply
insulated plugs that are screwed into an internal combustion engine's cylinder head
to deliver the spark that ignites the mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. Spark plugs also transfer heat away from the combustion chamber.
What is a core plug on a car?
Core plugs sit in different places around your car's cylinder head and engine block. Their main purpose is
to seal holes cast in the engine block or head as part of the manufacturing process
. They also help prevent the engine block or head cracking in the event that your coolant freezes.
