tricks to replacing freeze plugs with engine still in vehicle

[Crazymays77]

ok so i have been looking for the leak for awhile now. can smell antifreeze but couldnt find any. well today while changing the wheel bearings i took a look and found a freeze plug that is rusting out and starting to leak. so i can see the whole plug but not sure if there is enough room to beat it out and put a new one in. so my question is there anyways to seal it up without changing it or any ideas on how to replace it? thanks

[ballistics-10]

you could maybe try some really good rtv??? but i think you will have to pull the motor out..

[Crazymays77]

i found some rubber expansion plugs would that work?

[burl]

i found some rubber expansion plugs would that work?

Yep I've done it, just if you beat the snot out of it they will pop out, make sure you have a clean dry surface and put some rtv on it, and try not to fullthrottle when pissed off lol I popped the same one out 5 times in 2 months bc I didn't want to pull the engine, also you can over tighten them and if you do that will cause them to pop out too

[71 Highboy]

I put a thick layer of jb weld on one once and drove it for 3 years and never leaked

[Crazymays77]

yeah i was thinking of jb weld. but i was going to use the putty stuff. its stiffer and i think it would stick better. just need to drain the coolant and get it all clean before i do it. thanks guys.

[burl]

I havnt had good luck with the putty, just pop it out and put a expansion plug in it

[Crazymays77]

they even make a jb weld waterweld. lol might have to give that a try. dries in 20-30 mins.

[Crazymays77]

or would that seal all work?

[randycrane79]

where is it at behind starter or .......... i use a long  1/2 inch extenstion with a impact universal <wobblesocket> and a socket just small enough to fit inside the plug and a good hammer works awsome and quick work have tools if ya wanna barrow them to do it ..... i also bent a 1/2 inch extention 3 foot one and made a almost s at end and then big socket to fit tight and works well too they both end up looking like a soft plug tool

[randycrane79]

forgot to say i pulled trie and went threw the wheel well

[Crazymays77]

It's the front one easy to see. I was thinking of pulling the fender off if need be. It's not leaking too bad right now. Might wait till next weekend to attempt it.

[randycrane79]

ive done it threw the wheel well easy as pie no need to pull fender off just beet old one in to block grab with channel locks and pull out then use tools to beat new one in plase gently so you dont go to far but ya have to be firm first few hits to set in block should be easy change if its up front

[Crazymays77]

Ok u wanna do it for me lol.

[randycrane79]

if ya wasnt to far away and i had gas money id do it

[Crazymays77]

Lol. I'll try the jb waterweld first if that doesn't work then I'm gonna put a new one in there

[Blazin40s]

Reg jb weld is the best.

[71 Highboy]

Reg jb weld is the best.

thats what i used

[Crazymays77]

well i cleaned it up and used the jb waterweld putty. waiting for it to fully cure then start it up and see if it leaks. it was a very small leak to begin with but i wanted to fix it before it became worse.

[marshall]

fix it right, or it will strand you...jmo