Freeze Plug Question

[lxk199]

Hey all,

I am the proud new owner of a 95 w/ ATX. When I got it, I had to replace the serp. belt, battery, and tranny filter/gasket/fluid. I then drove it for a day and the freeze plug on top of the motor (behind the water pump) popped out and started leaking like a sieve. I put it back in today and the car stopped leaking (yay) but I was wondering how common it is for them to pop out. I know it was replaced by the previous owner, but I also know that he used a universal plug. Is it a good idea to remove it soon and use some gasket maker on it, like Permatex, to ensure a good seal?

Thanks in advance, glad to be a new SHO owner!

Leo

 

[JTSHO]

i havent heard of any issues with freeze plugs on these engines but maybe someone else w/ a longer history of these yamahammers can chime in.

 

[SHOtimer]

Is it the one directly behind the water pump? If so, you can buy a new water pump from Ford it comes with that back half, which will have a new freeze plug in it. It is not common for things like that to happen. Are you running a proper mix of coolant?

Doug

 

[lxk199]

yeah it's directly behind the water pump, and i'm running roughly a 50/50 mixture. I think part of the problem might have been that the car sat for a while. Could repeated temperature changes make the plug walk itself out? It's an expansion-type plug and it hasn't popped out again. In fact, it's staying exactly where I put it...Also, I think my old radiator cap might have been part of the problem. It seemed to not be working, as the motor was running significantly hotter (not overheating or anything) than with the new cap...Oh well, all seems good now!

 

[SHOtimer]

I would suggest that if it sat for awhile to flush out the whole coolant system, along with all the other fluids...

Doug