Freeze plug help
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New User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10
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From: Hopkins, SC
Freeze plug help
Driving to work yesterday and noticed the truck just didn't feel right. Temperature below freezing and short drive. Got to work and let it sit for the day. After work I checked the oil and it appeared to have water in it. I topped it off as it was low hoping to limp it home and figure it out. I then noticed the Degas bottle was empty. I started to fill it up and after putting a gallon in I heard it pouring out from the bottom of the truck. When I looked on the passenger side I noticed the freeze plug near the front of the motor was missing and oil and coolant were draining out.
Any suggestions on the cause or repair?
Any suggestions on the cause or repair?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 576
From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
A blown freeze plug AND water in the oil? That isn't good. When was the last time you checked the freeze point of the coolant before this happened? I hate to say it, but if it froze solid, you could have a cracked block, or a cracked tube in the oil cooler. If you're lucky, it just blew the freeze plug out.
You'll need to replace the freeze plug and pressure test the cooling system for leaks.
EDIT: I just noticed you said water and oil were both coming out of the freeze plug hole. I think I'd start by removing the oil cooler and having it tested on its own. Seems like the most likely point of failure to me. If it checks out OK, replace the seals and gaskets in it, then pressure test the rest of the cooling system.
You'll need to replace the freeze plug and pressure test the cooling system for leaks.
EDIT: I just noticed you said water and oil were both coming out of the freeze plug hole. I think I'd start by removing the oil cooler and having it tested on its own. Seems like the most likely point of failure to me. If it checks out OK, replace the seals and gaskets in it, then pressure test the rest of the cooling system.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,862
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From: SoCal/Wyoming
I was going to say the same thing. Coolant is one thing but coolant and oil is never a good sign. As the cap could (a) simply degrade and fallout (b) coolant freeze to the point of popping it out or (c) some other internal high pressure event, coolant and oil "might" indicate a crack or possibly a blown gasket as well as what is mentioned above
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New User
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Hopkins, SC
Thanks guys, I will check the oil cooler first. I have about 285,000 miles and have not replaced the oil cooler. Would the oiler cooler failure cause the plug to blow?
Also I did not check the coolant as I live in the South and probably have more water than coolant so there is the possibility of something freezing.
Also I did not check the coolant as I live in the South and probably have more water than coolant so there is the possibility of something freezing.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Hopkins, SC
The pressure cap seemed to be fine. So does that mean more than likely I have blown the head? Or could it just be an old freeze plug that finally gave way?
Never overheated or have me any check engine light. Oil pressure guage stayed normal. All I have are the in dash guages though.
Never overheated or have me any check engine light. Oil pressure guage stayed normal. All I have are the in dash guages though.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Hopkins, SC
One other thing I noticed was that the heater quit working. It would only blow cold air. If the coolant was frozen and wasn't flowing properly this could have led to overheating and I might not have noticed if the thermostat was stuck open and coolant wasn't flowing through properly maybe?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 576
From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
The pressure cap seemed to be fine. So does that mean more than likely I have blown the head? Or could it just be an old freeze plug that finally gave way?
Never overheated or have me any check engine light. Oil pressure guage stayed normal. All I have are the in dash guages though.
Never overheated or have me any check engine light. Oil pressure guage stayed normal. All I have are the in dash guages though.
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