Replacing freeze plugs, need advice please

halo71

Well seems I lucked up. I just knew the water pump was toast. After taking half the friggin' front end of the motor apart. It is just a freeze plug leaking. This truck is a 99 Ford Ranger XLT with the 4.0 engine. I need advice on removing and installing 1 freeze plug. Don't know if it matters but its the one on the drivers side on the front of the block. As you might tell by now, I am not very mechanically inclined. Advice?

Jstas

I've used slide hammers for pulling dents or a screw driver and a hammer and pliers to remove them. Some people just pop them in to the block and leave them. That's bad.

Here is the screwdriver/hammer/pliers method.

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Cru1X9hbZ20&quot; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The slide hammer is a little more complicated but can be easier if the engine is still in the car.

This is a slide hammer if you don't know.



If you drill a small hole to thread the slide hammer end in to the center of the freeze plug, you can get it out very quickly. You just have to be careful drilling that hole. Don't push real hard 'cause you don't want to risk damaging the water jacket behind the freeze plug. Don't make a real big hole either. You need to give the slide hammer enough material to grab. Once you get the hole drilled, thread the slide hammer in. It's not going to be easy but take your time and proceed carefully and it won't be a problem. Once it's in, throw that weight to the back of the hammer, should come out in one shot.

Here's how to put them back in.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ouxbxE-BMNY&quot; frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You don't need that fancy tool. You can use a socket and a hammer. Just be careful. They are tapered but you can easily push them through. When you do that, they may get crimped or bent and they are junk at that point. If you are careful and take your time, you'll be fine.

Some people say to use gasket material or gasket shellac on them but that's not necessary. The purpose of a freeze plug is to pop out and release pressure under certain conditions. If you use a gasket material, you are essentially gluing them in to place and that's bad. They may not work properly if you do that and you'll have damage in other areas.

halo71

Thanks! Looks like my biggest issue will be just getting to the damn thing. Well, without taking more stuff apart. Thanks again!

DaveHo

For the old one, drill a hole in it & pry it out. Cover the drill bit with heavy grease to help catch the metal bits. As has been said, pound the new one in with a socket & hammer.

gdb

"As you might tell by now, I am not very mechanically inclined. Advice? "

Seek a professional's help unless finances prohibit it. If you decide to proceed......take care and mind your fingers, it's extremely easy to get them mangled doing auto mechanical work.

mole'

hammer and a screwdriver to take it out just like in the first video.

socket and a hammer to install a new one.

jbooker82

When you get the new plug get a deep dish one. They are a lot easier to install then a shallow one. Your going to have to get enough room to where you can hit at it straight. Other wise you will just spin the plug sideways in the hole.

They also make rubber ones that you insert then tighten down a nut / bolt to expand them.

mole'

jbooker82 wrote: »

When you get the new plug get a deep dish one. They are a lot easier to install then a shallow one. Your going to have to get enough room to where you can hit at it straight. Other wise you will just spin the plug sideways in the hole.

They also make rubber ones that you insert then tighten down a nut / bolt to expand them.

yes on a deep wall socket. i try to make sure the socket is almost the size of the plug.

gdb

If possible, a black pipe nipple is a BUTTLOAD cheaper than a large, deep well socket! (if ya have neither of those items layin' around)

halo71

gdb wrote: »

"As you might tell by now, I am not very mechanically inclined. Advice? "

Seek a professional's help unless finances prohibit it. If you decide to proceed......take care and mind your fingers, it's extremely easy to get them mangled doing auto mechanical work.

Hey, u ain't talking to PFB here....come now! :cheesygrin:

Biggest problem is gonna be lack of room to get to it. I'll go ahead and take the fan and shroud out tonight when I get home from work.

gdb

Well then......it sounds like you're more mechanically inclined than you let on ! Happy wrenching !!:cheesygrin:

halo71

So far so good. Replaced it this evening and got her back running again. No leaks! Knowing my luck, this was too easy, it will leak tomorrow! lol

Thanks again yall!

Polkersince85

Glad you got it going again.

It seems you broke the typical sequence of events. Usually, the truck breaks down then a pair of SDAs comes up for sale locally at a real cheap price. Can't go get. Oh well, better luck next time.

halo71

Ken I think what threw my luck out of whack is that I got it fixed to soon before a pair became available. And was that comment a stab from the SDA hoard you have? hummmm....lol