I hate posting on a forum first thing without knowing all the details or ability to research longer on the "search results" - but this is where I'm at due to time restraints. Sorry folks! It's cold and about to rain here and getting to work on the motorcycle really sucks!

96' Ford F250 XLT is blowing the engine Freeze plugs / soft plugs (have heard them called both) leaking and was over heating. Had our (excellent and helpful mechanic) put in a new radiator and thermostat. Blew the plugs again. Retried after tearing down again - and again.... It's building up too much pressure (exhaust?) and blowing the plugs. Possible head gasket or God forbid a cracked engine?

Now, I'm not a fool, though I feel like it right now. I've racked my knuckles more than once working on vehicles. To be honest, I actually like turning a wrench! But this is a new one for me.

Can't afford to continue our mechanic working on it, so looking into options-

Can anyone give me input on the engine sealants like K&W, Iron Tight, Barsleak, Blue Devil? Experience? Suggestions other than putting a bullet or 20 through the thing?

Thanks much and sorry, but I don't wanna ride to work in the rain... and my forum search comes up with so many threads to get through! I want my truck back!

 

Was sealer used to install the core plugs? Was the radiator cap replaced? It would take an awful lot of pressure to cause the plugs to blow out if they were installed tight. Does the truck overheat at all?

FWIW engine sealers are really good for clogging heater cores and coolant passages.

 

The rad cap regulates cooling system pressure, as stated, there really is no way to overpressure it enough to blow the freeze plugs out. It almost has to be that they were not installed right. They can be hard to get in straight with the engine still in the vehicle.

 

FWIW engine sealers are really good for clogging heater cores and coolant passages.... agreed !

besides, no goo is going to withstand the pressure that it takes to blow out a frost plug. my guess is bad rad cap ... or ...

block so badly warped that the plugs can't seat properly ? ... just tossing ideas out there .

 

Thanks for the input - at the moment I'm leaning towards the bullet method.... I'll get it figured out.

Thanks again.