Freeze plug removal

[vintagespeed]

Is it possible to change the freeze plugs without removing the exhaust/intake manifolds? I know the motor mount will have to come off, but I can't really tell if there's enough clearance to get the old plugs out & new ones in?

I've got one plug that is seeping pretty bad. Some block sealer 'fixed' it temporarily when it started leaking bad, but is this a sign that my motor is going bad? It runs strong otherwise & blows no oil, but the cooling system has always sucked.

[Lupine]

It can be a sign that the cooling system has a lot of internal blockage and is developing hot spots and high internal pressure.

The block that I just sent to the machine shop had 90% of it's block to head cooling passages blocked...

Flush that engine with some high quality flush, but disconnect your radiator first. No need to send the chunkies downstream to the radiator!

CRASH

[MrShoeBoy]

You can stick the whole Jeep in a really Big Freezer and let them pop out....

What crash said is more to the point, what is causing them to leak in the first point? Flush it out first and then replace them. No idea what has to be done to replace them.

AARON

[Ed A. Stevens]

The AMC XJ's (the 87-89 4.0L) had a reputation for corrosion of the steel freeze plugs. Once it starts on a plug, the freeze plug material quickly rusts through.

A quick fix is installing a rubber expansion freeze plug(s). These will last a long time, although, if you plan to wait for a better time to install proper plugs remember these rubber plugs will not pop out like a metal freeze plug (they are repair plugs, not freeze plugs).

New brass freeze plugs can be installed without removing the manifolds, if you get creative utilizing the holes in the fenderwell. The use of long shocket extensions or drive-rod can go a long way to make the install possible.