Freeze plugs!
11-15-2013, 11:14 AM
#1
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Hello again guys well one problem fix. The ac. Now my jeep is rusting by the last freeze plug is leaking and has jelly rust all around the bottom of the freeze plug it. While driving down the road hit a stop sign the gauges went all the way up and it sputtered a little. after that the gauges went normal and it drove normal. Made it to the inlaws about a 10 min drive from where it was acting up.. Then all the coolent dumped out the bottom and started streaming. Turn jeep off immediately. The freeze plugs look like they were once before replaced. 
Will my headgasket be blown?
What's the simplest method to fixing this.
Please and thank you.
Will my headgasket be blown?
What's the simplest method to fixing this.
Please and thank you.
Last edited by Inline6FourPointO; 11-15-2013 at 11:17 AM.
11-15-2013, 11:56 AM
#3
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That sucks man! The exact same thing happened to me. Here's what mine looked like.
Those were factory plugs, though. It looks like yours has the brass ones (which mine does now too). A little scary that the brass one corroded through. First things first, you're going to want the brass replacement plugs because they fit in the holes much tighter. DO NOT GET THE STEEL ONES. I repeat, DO NOT GET THE STEEL PLUGS. Ask me why, I dare ya. lol. It's time consuming but not too bad of a job.
Take off the intake and exhaust manifolds (make sure to get a new gasket), remove the power steering pump bolts and set it to the side, airbox, etc. and you should have access to them. I used a big piece of brass and a hammer to tap the new ones in after steel-wooling junk out of the holes. I also used Indian Head gasket maker stuff around the new plugs. It would be helpful to have a socket the size of the freeze plug--you want to make sure you push them in evenly.
But, before you install the new plugs, you might want to give your whole cooling system a lookover, and a good flush at least. My plugs went bad due to excessive stop-leak in the system by the previous owner.
Here's what my old plugs looked like. The one in the upper right was cleaned off!
Good luck, if you need any tips let me know, I did this job 3 times. LOL
Those were factory plugs, though. It looks like yours has the brass ones (which mine does now too). A little scary that the brass one corroded through. First things first, you're going to want the brass replacement plugs because they fit in the holes much tighter. DO NOT GET THE STEEL ONES. I repeat, DO NOT GET THE STEEL PLUGS. Ask me why, I dare ya. lol. It's time consuming but not too bad of a job.
Take off the intake and exhaust manifolds (make sure to get a new gasket), remove the power steering pump bolts and set it to the side, airbox, etc. and you should have access to them. I used a big piece of brass and a hammer to tap the new ones in after steel-wooling junk out of the holes. I also used Indian Head gasket maker stuff around the new plugs. It would be helpful to have a socket the size of the freeze plug--you want to make sure you push them in evenly.
But, before you install the new plugs, you might want to give your whole cooling system a lookover, and a good flush at least. My plugs went bad due to excessive stop-leak in the system by the previous owner.
Here's what my old plugs looked like. The one in the upper right was cleaned off!
Good luck, if you need any tips let me know, I did this job 3 times. LOL
11-15-2013, 12:07 PM
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Also, here's the replacements that I ordered. Video Link: http://www.amazon.com/Brass-Freeze-Plug-Jeep-Eagle/dp/B0080FZXZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384538327&sr=8-1&keywords=jeep+4.0+freeze+plug
Do you think the head gasket is okay?
11-15-2013, 12:17 PM
#6
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My '98, I overheated it like crazy when I blew a freeze plug going up a hill. I thought the engine was done for. Fixed it one final time with the brass, and runs smooth as butter and haven't had a problem since.
Also for this project you're going to want a good assortment of socket extensions and U-joints, and a good supply of beer!
11-17-2013, 02:13 PM
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I think you're fine, probably. What year Jeep? I could see a bad headgasket creating extra pressure that could've pushed the rust open on the freeze plug, but it would unlikely be related. Did you overheat when this happened? My '98, I overheated it like crazy when I blew a freeze plug going up a hill. I thought the engine was done for. Fixed it one final time with the brass, and runs smooth as butter and haven't had a problem since. Also for this project you're going to want a good assortment of socket extensions and U-joints, and a good supply of beer!
Last edited by Inline6FourPointO; 11-17-2013 at 02:54 PM.
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11-17-2013, 03:02 PM
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Year: 1998 Sport
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Engine: 4.0
You should be Ok as long as you didn't red line the temp for to long and didn't boil over while driving it. When you do get the freeze plugs make sure to get the brass plugs and not the steel ones.
11-17-2013, 03:30 PM
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11-17-2013, 03:53 PM
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Year: 1998
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Engine: 4.0
You might as well go out and get a new radiator, thermostat, t-stat gasket and hoses and hope that your water pump is okay or get a new one of those, too. It would appear your freeze plugs went for the same reason mine did -- stop leak.
11-17-2013, 03:54 PM
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Year: 1998 Sport
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From the pictures it looks like you don't have any coolant in there I looks like you are running straight water and is a reason that you have so much rust. I would flush the hell out of the entire system. Once it looks like the water is coming out clean when flushing it, Just keep flushing it more. Make sure to flush the heater core separate from the rest of the system and flush it in both directions.
11-17-2013, 04:00 PM
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Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
From the pictures it looks like you don't have any coolant in there I looks like you are running straight water and is a reason that you have so much rust. I would flush the hell out of the entire system. Once it looks like the water is coming out clean when flushing it, Just keep flushing it more. Make sure to flush the heater core separate from the rest of the system and flush it in both directions.