88whitemanche Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 What’s up fellas Found out the freeze plug on the back of the head is leaking, has anyone has any experience with replacing one? What tips or tricks you did to replace it? I was thinking about dropping the trans or either pulling the head... has anyone done it still on the vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 What’s up fellas Found out the freeze plug on the back of the head is leaking, has anyone has any experience with replacing one? What tips or tricks you did to replace it? I was thinking about dropping the trans or either pulling the head... has anyone done it still on the vehicle? I did one in winter that the owner hadn’t put antifreeze in. I did the rubber plug with the nut to tighten it as a test which lasted till about a year ago. Make sure it’s the plug and not the back of the head gasket with a mirror. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 I had the same issue on my 98 XJ. The easiest solution I came across seemed to be pulling the driveshaft and dropping the crossmember then lowering the rear of the trans down some. This gives you access to take the plug out from underneath (just pay attention to the wires and cables so you don't break anything). I never ended up replacing the rear one because it stopped leaking. No idea how or why but I'm not complaining. I will say that I used the regular freeze plug kit from O'Reillys on the side of the block many years ago and they are still holding up strong so I'd have to recommend that kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 19 hours ago, carnuck said: I did one in winter that the owner hadn’t put antifreeze in. I did the rubber plug with the nut to tighten it as a test which lasted till about a year ago. Make sure it’s the plug and not the back of the head gasket with a mirror. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I’ve heard about the rubber plugs but that’s a temporary solution... i daily drive my xj as my mj from week to week I don’t want to do the same work twice 19 hours ago, Dzimm said: I had the same issue on my 98 XJ. The easiest solution I came across seemed to be pulling the driveshaft and dropping the crossmember then lowering the rear of the trans down some. This gives you access to take the plug out from underneath (just pay attention to the wires and cables so you don't break anything). I never ended up replacing the rear one because it stopped leaking. No idea how or why but I'm not complaining. I will say that I used the regular freeze plug kit from O'Reillys on the side of the block many years ago and they are still holding up strong so I'd have to recommend that kit. Might have to try this solution when the plugs come in tomorrow I’ll be tackling it after work and come back with results thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Might have to try this solution when the plugs come in tomorrow I’ll be tackling it after work and come back with results thanks The rubber plugs lasted longer than the truck did. On an oily environment they might only last a couple years. I have a bare 7120 casting head for $30 that needs cleaned up again (it was Checked for flat and hot tanked) because a certain idiot didn’t do the roof repairs or anything he was paid to do (after 2 years of free rent and storage they tried to kill me and claim ownership but they got shut down)Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omega_rugal Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 I patched that same leak with epoxy 5 months ago... still holding on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 If that plug is leaking, how do you think this one looks in the block right below it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 Yep, drop the trans and do both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted October 30, 2017 Share Posted October 30, 2017 8 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: Yep, drop the trans and do both. And the ones on the driver's side of the block are likely the same condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted October 30, 2017 Author Share Posted October 30, 2017 45 minutes ago, cruiser54 said: If that plug is leaking, how do you think this one looks in the block right below it? 25 minutes ago, Jeep Driver said: Yep, drop the trans and do both. I was thinking the same, but I don’t have an impact gun to remove the bolts off of the flywheel my current one broke... ill just do the one on the head to drive again (diving wifes car) and when I get the impact gun I’ll drop the trans to do all the plugs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 Just an update I dropped the crossmember, took both driveshafts off, loosened the motor mounts, took off all connections that would hold the transmission in place and still couldn’t drop it low enough to clear the freeze plug... i have it parked right now until the Comanche is ready to drive then I’ll get to pulling the head... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 How low did you drop it? You should be able to see almost the entire head with the tranny dropped down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjeff87 Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 Disconnect the braided ground strap from the back head bolt to the firewall, it's probably holding the engine from dropping fully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 4 hours ago, Dzimm said: How low did you drop it? You should be able to see almost the entire head with the tranny dropped down. Probably still had about a foot until it was touching the ground...i had it down about a 1/4 way of the face of the freeze plug... ill double check again when I get some time to mess with it... 2 hours ago, mjeff87 said: Disconnect the braided ground strap from the back head bolt to the firewall, it's probably holding the engine from dropping fully. I’ll keep this in mind the next time I try and drop the trans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 19 minutes ago, 88whitemanche said: Probably still had about a foot until it was touching the ground...i had it down about a 1/4 way of the face of the freeze plug... ill double check again when I get some time to mess with it... I’ll keep this in mind the next time I try and drop the trans Yeah you should be able to go until the trans is damn near on the ground unless you are lifted like crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 1 hour ago, Dzimm said: Yeah you should be able to go until the trans is damn near on the ground unless you are lifted like crazy. Only at 4.5” of lift... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted October 31, 2017 Share Posted October 31, 2017 1 minute ago, 88whitemanche said: Only at 4.5” of lift... You should be able to drop the jack all the way down even at 4.5". That's what my truck is at and my trans hung low enough to bottom out my floor jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted November 7, 2017 Author Share Posted November 7, 2017 Ok I got the engine low enough to at least see 90% of the freeze plug... but it’s not coming out..the middle is tearing apart and the rim hasn’t barely moved...looks like I’ll be pulling the head... here's a pic of my attempt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Now that the center is out, see if you can get a brake spoon or a similar small pry bar under the rim and pop it out. It would still be a lot less work to drop the trans than pull the head, and you can get to the other plug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 Agree with Jeep Driver, don't pull the head, if anything pull the trans and do the other plug as well. Even if you did pull the head, you would have an insane struggle to keep the head from sliding around the table while you try to get the plug out. As for it coming apart, yeah they do that. Keep going but use a larger punch to spread out the load (a 1" spade type chisel/punch works well) and don't hit quite so hard. It will come out. If you need to, use a flat punch on the rim of the plug but be extremely careful if you do this to not scratch the surface of the block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 10 hours ago, Jeep Driver said: Now that the center is out, see if you can get a brake spoon or a similar small pry bar under the rim and pop it out. It would still be a lot less work to drop the trans than pull the head, and you can get to the other plug. Absolutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carnuck Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 Did you disconnect the exhaust at the 4 bolt catalytic converter flange? If not and you didn’t undo the pipe at the header then it won’t drop enough. I used a flat hook on a dent puller to get mine out but knocking it in first was easier. If the head gasket is very old, then I would consider pulling it to do the plug and make sure the gasket is good at the same time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88whitemanche Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 Updated i didn’t pull the head, I had to remove the ground cable that attaches the head to the body to get it to lower that 1/2 inch... used a pry bar and got the freeze plug out and it took a couple tries and lucky I ordered a couple plugs to finally got in place the right way.... old plug new plug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzimm Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Good job! Glad you got it fixed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted November 9, 2017 Share Posted November 9, 2017 Looks like you used a brass plug too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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