Engine water leak from frost pliugs.

[scoopeydiesel]

It looks like i have a water leak from a frost plug located on the back of the engine drivers side. It looks like a pig of a job to replace.Has anybody replaced any of these plugs or had any success with a coolant sealer the likes of K seal. Its a big leak literally dripping out.

[PeterN]

Many years ago I replaced one in a similar position on a Humber Super Snipe. Having levered the old one out using various sized levers and punches, I fitted a new one by placing it into position and then using a bolt with a tubular nut between the core plug and bulkhead and unscrewed it until it pushed the plug in, it didn't go right in but it stayed there.

An easier way might be to fill it with body filler after getting it as clean as you can. If you disconnect the top engine mount and put a jack under the engine, you can move it forward to give you more room.

When cars were a lot simpler you could cut a hole in the bulkhead and do it from inside. Make sure you put in plenty of antifreeze after you have repaired it.

Peter

[scoopeydiesel]

Thanks. Its in a very awkward position, i can barely see it from the top or from the bottom. I am not looking forward to taking all the stuff off from underneath to get at the plug. Probably the guts of one and a half days work for me. I might try some radiator sealer tomorrow.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Sorry but rad sealer will not work, nor will K seal, as Peter say's your best bet is to fill it.
My advise would be to use some JB Weld Chemical metal it's very good stuff for this kind of repair.
But you need to drain the cooling system & then thoroughly clean the area to be filled with acetone or thinners to degrease then abrade the area using scotchbrite or a pad scourer, you will need to leave the repair for 24hrs before refilling the cooling system & running it.
Hope this is of some help DDD.

[Welly]

I'm guessing this problem of core/frost plugs leaking is due to poor coolant quality in the system causing corrosion? it would be worth checking the entire cooling system especially the Rad to make sure it's free-flowing etc as excess coolant pressure through over heating won't help matters generally.

[trufflehunt]

Have to declare an interest here. I own a website through which I've sold about 4,000 bottles
of K-Seal over the years. [ Currently on a 'sabbatical', as I got bored, of trudging up and down
to the post office, and wanted to do other things ].

A majority of the K-Seal I sold have been to Rover owners, K-Series engines with head gasket failure.
The manufacturer does though state specifically that K-Seal is suitable for leaking
core (freeze) plugs. Unlike Radweld, Bars Leaks.. which are different creatures entirely.

In your place, I would try a bottle of K-Seal. I would not go down the road of fillers etc.

[jasper5]

Change the core (frost) plug....you don't want to be miles from home and the coolant all leaks out due to a corroded plug bursting open.
It may be a difficult job, but the consequences of a total loss of coolant might be very serious.
If you want to do a temporary repair (which all those suggested can only be) then get some silicon sealer and flood the plug with it before refilling the coolant and sticking some coolant sealant in.

[scoopeydiesel]

Thanks for all the replies. I have to agree the the problem is most likely the result of poor coolant quality pre my ownership on August 2013 but otherwise its a good car. I will probably change the frost plugs over the weekend as Jasper says you could have a plug go miles from home with big consequences. I will probably go for changing the back four if i can get in near them and lads I can spell plugs!!.Thanks again and will update when job done.

[scoopeydiesel]

Well, i have replaced the leaking frost plug. I had intended to do the other three on the back of the engine but the turbo and more would have to come off. Ended up taking off the subframe, right hand driveshaft with bracket, a water housing fitting and turbo pipe. I was a full day 12 hrs work and a pig of a job.

[PeterN]

Well done. Core plugs were much easier to change when the engines were the right way round. At least you wont have to worry about it now.

Peter