I have a leaking freeze plug that I need to change. It's the small one on the passenger side of the back of the head. I'm soliciting any general advice anyone who's changed a freeze plug might have, and I'd love to hear from anyone who's changed this particular one (it looks like it will be tough but not impossible to get to). One specific question: Should the new plug go in with RTV or some other sealant?

Advice appreciated.

 

Most guys use the red Permatex on freeze plugs, some put them in dry. If you know the size and it's small enough, you can pipe thread the hole and put a allen head or square drive plug in it, then you never have to worry about it again! that paticular plug you are talking about on my 01 already has a pipe plug in it, although I don't know what size, but it's big.

Tom

 

I've always used that Copper Coat, or whatever it's called, with the copper flecks in it, on freeze plug installs. I don't know why, it's just the way I was shown to do it.

Chris

 

I always use the liquid permatex in the bottle on freeze plugs. Never put them in dry. Some people use the rtv but I've seen a few seep after some time.

 

Thanks guys. My major worry now is how the heck to get the old one out.

 

My first choice is to drill or punch a small hole in the plug towards one side and run a large screw into it, then use a slide hammer puller to remove it. I don't know if you have enough room to do that, Maybe grab the screw with a set of dykes prying against a block, sometimes punching it in and turning it sideways and grabbing it with a pliers to pull it. Maybe a slide hammer on visegrips grabbing the screw, that would give you an angle to pull from. When they are in a tight spot like that , you sometimes have to be creative using the tools available to get the job done. Good luck.

 

I bought a right-angle adapter head for my Dremel tool last night, and I can just get it in there to drill a hole in the plug (no way a full-size right-angle drill will fit back there). To bad my grandfather (oral surgeon) isn't still alive - between the high-speed drill and working with a mirror, this is going to be a lot like dental surgery.