Check your antifreeze!!!!!!

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
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Fredericksburg, VA
Definition: An expansion plug located in the side of an engine block that is supposed to protect the block against freeze damage. Water expands when it turns to ice, and if the coolant doesn't have enough antifreeze protection it can freeze and crack the engine block. The freeze plugs (there are several) are supposed to pop out under such conditions to relieve the pressure on the block. Freeze plugs can often be a source of troublesome leaks as a result of internal cooling system corrosion. Ease of replacement depends on accessibility.

Your auto teacher IS wrong. And the technical term is "expansion plug" but most commonly called a freeze plug.
 

OfnaRcR4

Shea!
Oct 2, 2006
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kettering ohio
AF1JZ said:
Your auto teacher IS wrong. And the technical term is "expansion plug" but most commonly called a freeze plug.

"Most of the plugs to be found on an engine are actually to plug the holes where sand cores have been held. The sand cores are used in the casting process to form internal cavities in the engine block or cylinder head, for cooling water for example, and so should really be referred to as core plugs."
 

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
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Fredericksburg, VA
Tanya said:
That must have taken you forever to do w/o the multiquote function, LOL

Yes it did. The whole time I was doing it, I was thinking about you suggesting the multi quote option :icon_bigg .
 

AF1JZ

Almost civilian status...
Jun 26, 2006
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Fredericksburg, VA
OfnaRcR4 said:
"Most of the plugs to be found on an engine are actually to plug the holes where sand cores have been held. The sand cores are used in the casting process to form internal cavities in the engine block or cylinder head, for cooling water for example, and so should really be referred to as core plugs."

Core plugs are different than freeze plugs. Maybe you had your terms mixed up.
 

Merlyn

New Member
Mar 9, 2007
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Maryland
if you have a hole (plug) and you have a frozen block of ice... what is going to expand out of that 1 inch hole... I am not saying they don't exist on some level, but in reality, how is a solid object, going to relieve its stress through a hole... well humans do it... but that is a bit more complicated and sometimes babies are formed... but, you get my point, little peni' arn't going to grow out the side of the block, it will expand in all directions, mostly at the weakest link (look at a soda can, the top will pop off completely)
 

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Well I got my caddy un-froze, 3 hrs in the garage, with moving pads over the northstar engine, and the heater set at 75 did the job. and NOTHING LEAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!! thats Weard plugs ummmm well nothing is leaking, Drained about a gallon of "Water" and replaced with anti-freeze. Let idle for about 20 min. Had tons of heat comng out now. Then went to Red Lobster later on for dinner, again no problems. I got lucky this time.
 
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suprahero

naughty by nature
Staff member
Aug 26, 2005
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Roll Tide
tissimo said:
why would you put blankets on your block? or do you mean heating blankets?
:momaru: .........He wanted to add that extra little TLC. Dont' act like you havent' ever did that Justin.
 

phoenix6

Rockin' the blades
Aug 13, 2006
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Serena's Place ;)
I didnt read all the posts but, did you check the freeze plugs? :biglaugh:


on another note, this is why Im glad my celica came from canada, theres a fucking power cord coming off the block, it gets too cold, I plug it into a wall and she stays warm :evil2:
 

flight doc89

Registered Murse
Apr 21, 2006
227
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0
Bessemer, Alabama, United States
Merlyn said:
if you have a hole (plug) and you have a frozen block of ice... what is going to expand out of that 1 inch hole... I am not saying they don't exist on some level, but in reality, how is a solid object, going to relieve its stress through a hole... well humans do it... but that is a bit more complicated and sometimes babies are formed... but, you get my point, little peni' arn't going to grow out the side of the block, it will expand in all directions, mostly at the weakest link (look at a soda can, the top will pop off completely)
take a plastic bottle. fill it with water and put it in the freezer without putting the top on.
 

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
tissimo said:
why would you put blankets on your block? or do you mean heating blankets?


It helped keep the heat from the engine in the engine bay, to help melt the ice quicker. It worked pretty good, it stayed nice and warn under moving pads other wise the heat just went up, up and away.

Havent checked frost plugs, but nothing leaking, so i am guessing go to go. Also the northstar with its 8 clys. 4 cams and everything elso is pretty cramed in there.
 

tissimo

Stock is boring :(
Apr 5, 2005
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Melbourne, FL
oh, you started the engine?

if not there is no heat being generated by the engine so it wont insulate keeping the heat in.. if anything its keeping it cool by not allowing the warm air to heat the engine..
 

92nsx

Supramania Contributor
Sep 30, 2005
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Clearwater, MN
Ya i drove about 5 miles first to work and on the way i noticed the temp gauge going up. Right ass i pulled in the parking lot it when to HOT, so i turned off the engine, and coasted into a parking spot, let it sit for a hour, then drove it home. The temp gauge read a little high on the way home but nothing like it was on the way there. I am guessing the block un-froze but the radiator and heater core didnt. So the engine was warm when i got home and i used the pads to keep the heat there to help un-freeze the rest.