Soft plug

[RTHarvey]

One of the soft plugs (or freeze plugs or?) is leaking on my grand daughters 1992 S10, V6. I think the manufacturer says that no sealant is needed, but that makes me a little nervous. Does anyone have advice on how to do this? Sealant or no? What kind of sealant? Brass or steel? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by RTHarvey

One of the soft plugs (or freeze plugs or?) is leaking on my grand daughters 1992 S10, V6. I think the manufacturer says that no sealant is needed, but that makes me a little nervous. Does anyone have advice on how to do this? Sealant or no? What kind of sealant? Brass or steel? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I only use Brass plugs...and seal them with Permatex Form-A-Gasket #1 sealant.

Have fun with getting to them...

Have you thought of trying some leak sealer like Bars Leaks Stop Leak...might save you some headaches for the time being....

[Redneck Rydes]

My friend had a 1991 S10 with a 4.3 always had a anti freeze leak behind the bellhousing,we had to pull the tranny and everything,changed the frost plug and good to go a year or so later started leaking again,so we pulled it all apart but this time we felt around inside the block and found a piece of casting flash that was plugging up with antifreeze gunk ,and was causing the steel plug to get pinholes in it,,gently tapped of the flash and like Aussie says,a little Permatex,tap in flush with the block,and no more leaks in 10 years.

[RTHarvey]

OK--Here is an update. The core plug in question had rusted thru, and was in danger of utter failure. We pulled it out, and went back with a steel one. It was actually too small. It just pushed in, but we had Indian Head sealant on it, so we decided to let it set for 24 hrs. Put the pressure tester on it, and it leaked. So we pulled that one out, and went with a brass one that was bigger. Problem with that was that it was big enough to fit like it should, and needed a hammer to coax in, but there isn't enough room to swing a hammer. So, we went with the rubber expanding kind. It seems to be holding. I don't think the rubber one will last forever, but that is about the only option, so it we have to replace it in two years, I guess that's what we will do.

[CastIron]

I think the expandable rubber will work for awhile. If it continues to leak, pulling the engine is really going to be the only option. I personally would try the expandable plug first, just like you did.