drove a short distance - about a mile there and back this morning. got out of my truck and I smelled antrifreeze. oh ....


popped under the truck and this is what I saw...

1997 F250 (old style)

5.8l engine

what now?





HELP!!!

Is this a temp sensor?

a block heater?

I need to get back on the road quick! my job depends on it!!

Thanks everybody!

 

Looks like a block heater.

 

Block heater.

 

 

EDIT: thanks for the video!


thanks for the quick reply all... I am freaking out! this would be a bad time to loose an engine.

thanks guys- any theories as to how it could blow out like that?


I have one....


you know the huge chunks of ice that build up behind the tires? I booted one off that side of the truck before taking off on my return trip. maybe I loosened up the block heater too, then it somehow blew out while driving? Is this feasible?

how to I reinstall the plug? lotsa ky jelly or what???

 

New o-ring and dry. lube will cause failure again. If you don't use it replace with a regular freeze plug.

 

Thanks again blue oval- I will do just that, I assume I will be better off with a new o-ring at the minimum.

again to all- how does this happen?

the video talks about blowouts from freezing, any other possibilties?

 

Is that factory? I'd be inclined to think it wasn't installed correctly, with the right adhesive or sealant. You're in CO, assuming it's PFC there right now, pressure builds until thermostat opens, there it is.

 

I'm the second owner, a local county was the first. I didn't put it in, I've never even noticed a plug!! the upkeep on it seemed to be flawless before me. I don't know if it was factory or not. I've had it for about 8-9 years.

 

Everything else OK, runs good idles good, no overheating? I would install a good quality brass freeze plug in its place. Take the time to do the prep right so's not to have to do it again. Somebody who knows more may have another angle.

 

Could very well be that the thermostat plugged off causing that to happen. When was the last time it was replaced?

 

Also the fact that u live in CO, I'd be more inclined to install a new block heater.

 

It looks to me like the tab that holds the heater in the block failed where the hold-down bolt threads through. Age/corrosion is my first thought on why it failed. Cooling system pressure is regulated by the radiator cap. I think it would be very unlikely to build enough pressure to pop the heater out and not harm any of the core (freeze) plugs or anything else in the cooling system.

At minimum you will need to replace that tab piece if it is indeed broken, and new seals are a good idea as well. I would lubricate the o-ring before installing the heater to minimize the chances of cutting the o-ring when installing the heater in the block.

 

Yep looks like one of the ears broke off that hold it in. Drop the starter and drive in a new freeze plug. That is the quickest way to get back on the road.

 

I agree with all the above, the idea being to determine if it failed simply because of age/corrosion OR comma, something else - stuck (closed) thermostat, for example. There are other possible causes, none of them very good.

The only block heater I've used was installed in the lower radiator hose. Was always a little skeptical of the type here because of just this scenario.