bigjeff

i have a 99 jeep cherokee 4.0 and i just changed water pump raditor and t stat and rad cap but when doing it i was filling it up and notice it pouring out a frezze plug on the side of motor what would make this happen it been overheating bad and is is easy to replace

kjc

Freeze plugs are there to 'hopefully' pop out when water in your block freezes. Running proper coolant virtually eliminates that ever happening. I doubt if overheating could possible build enough pressure to pop one out. It's more likely rusted out. They're easy to replace if they are easy to 'get at'. Pry it out, take it to auto parts and get a shiny new brass one. They don't rust. Hope this helps

bigjeff

how do they come out they are rusted

bigjeff

should i replace all of them

buckshot500

You should try to replace them all.

While you have them out, try to use an old wire coat hanger to get all the rusty metal shavings out of the water jacket. A garden hose will help flush the stuff out, but don't let the water freeze.

Those rusty shavings are from factory machining, and are probably why it was running hot.

One more thing, I use a 1/2" drive socket that just fits inside the plug to carefully drive them in.

bigjeff

my local auto parts store dont carry them will the dealer have them in stock

bigjeff

when i find new plugs do they just go in dry i have a socket that just fits the lip do i just tap them in flush what holds them in thanks

freegdr

its a 2inch freexe plug pretty common

they wedge in when you tap them in

fishtaconc

Some people use a little RTV around them, I personally use Loctite 272 retaining compound. Spend the extra money for Brass plugs, they seal better, and won't rust out. Try NAPA or Carquest they may have the brass ones, worse case call a local machine shop they may have them. They are 2.012" Dia, also they are often refered to as expansion plugs just in case you didn't know.

bigjeff

thanks nobody has the auto zone or advance calling napa and dealer ship tomarrow trying to beat the storm coming hopefull i can find them in the am

bigjeff

will it matter if they are a little deeper they did not have the shallow ones i got 2 in but the others are harder to get in and any tricks to getting them in

bigjeff

thanks for the help i got them in really was not hard to do just alot of time takeing everything off to get to them

413maxwedge

You did clean around the edge of the hole's right?Like above a bit of rtv works, use a driver the same diamiter as the inside of the plug and drive them straight in example brass drift,socket etc, no pointed or sharp edge driver should be used.
What part of N.Y you live in?

bigjeff

kingston ny yes i did clean around hole i replaced the 5 in the side of block only 1 was bad and the i put it all back toghter and now its leaking from the back of the block i did not now there was a plug back there this sucks