elpeluchin1977

Hello forum land.
Bought my first cummins!
I turned on my truck a few days ago and let it warm, when I was ready to leave I noticed coolant on the ground, I began to investigate and found that it was comming from what looks like a allen screw or a very small freeze plug, located at the rear of the cylinder head under and to the right of the exahust manifold (can be seen with a mirror). Once the temp went up the leak stopped almost, it leaks but is burned off about every 10 sec. or so.
Question, is this a screw or a freeze plug, The biggie is, if this is a freeze plug would I have to take the head off to repair? OR Since it is a very small leak is their anything I use (e.g. JB weld, Silicon) as a temporary (1-2 years ) leak stopper.

Dodge Laramie Dually 98.5, 24v, stock.

Rob Mitch

I think that's a freeze plug. A couple years ago I replaced a very small freeze plug in the back ot the head on mu 2001. It was very small, about 3/8 inch diameter. It was tough but I replaced it without pulling the head. I had to run a screw into it and pull in with a claw bar I made for this purpose. I then pressed the new one in with a bar and socket. Our local Cummins dealer didn't have them and I to get them from Dodge dealer. About $1.50 each. Local auto parts houses just said "we've never seen a freeze plug that small. You mean THAT came out of a Cummins???" I would suguest you buy at least two just in case you screw up one. This leak will get worse at the most inopertune time.

elpeluchin1977

Thax for the Info its pretty hard to tell what the hell it is since it is pretty rusted.
I was planning to check some heads to get a better feel of what had to be done. But hopefully i'll figure it out eventually.