czardali

Driving down the road i noticed smoke coming out of my hood. I pulled over and heard a hissing sound and immediately assumed it was my valve cover gaskets..header..etc. It turns out to be a little hole withhin that circular groove thats between your water pump and your steering pump. The smoke is white and the contents it leaves on the ground is water and not oil however i'm assuming the oil is just runoff. Any ideas?

MelWff

Are you referring to a freeze out plug on the engine block?

czardali

yes! thats exactly it. I saw that I have 7 more. should I change them too? thanks for the input. engine information is my latest endeavor.

scottyp99

I'm not trying to make fun of you, so please don't take it that way, but I have no idea what you mean by "that circular groove thats between your water pump and your steering pump." Could you try to describe it another way?


Keep the shiny side up!
Scott

Easy Mike

Check your coolant level. That was not white smoke you were seeing; it was steam. There is a water jacket behind the freeze plug.

czardali

off hand what size freeze plug do i need? Is it a fairly easy job. Looks like I may need a hammer.

Easy Mike

Buy a freeze plug kit for small block Chevrolet. A hammer is not what you want to use directly on the plug. Put sealant on the edges of the plug, use a large socket on the plug, and tap the socket to seat the freeze plug.

You can buy an actual freeze plug tool, but it's not critical.

DaveL82

Before you change out the plug are you sure it's not the water pump weep hole leaking onto the block. The weep hole is there to show the seal is leaking internally.

czardali

there are free plugs that have an actual nut on the end. Is that the one I should get so I can set the socket onto it?

water pump weep hole? I am assuming this hole is on the water pump. the steam is comin right from the middle of the freeze plug. I'm looking up how to remove the plug via Google now.

chonkyapple

Can you take a photo of it?
There is a little confusion me think.

czardali

Heres the photo. The the circle/hole where the steam is coming from.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58854115@N03/6852471100/

chonkyapple

Yuck But easy fix,Just lever it out and do what Mike said above.
The other plugs wont be as easy to get at, and you might want to clean that engine before you start

Easy Mike

No.

My reference to a large socket was to use it in place of the freeze plug installation tool. The socket is not used to tighten a nut. It is used to drive the freeze plug into the block.

Google Replacing Freeze Plugs and see what you get.

czardali

Atv gasket maker ok ? Im gonna use the same goo i uae for my valve covers if that is ok

noonie

Most pros use Permatex High Tack Gasket sealant or Indian Head.

Chances are high that the rest are in close to the same condition.

There are 2 between the tranny and engine, so keep an eye out.

If you can't drive a new one in, then this type is a permanent solution.

my 76 ray

Here's how I did it on my Jeep.

http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/p...1119165615.mp4

http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/p...1119170024.mp4

czardali

I tried to get the freeze plug off and I punctured a hole through it! I tried using needle nose pliers to take it off but to no avail. any suggestions?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58854115@N03/7000903933/

wcsinx

Make another just like that one on the opposite side of the plug, hook a slide hammer into it, then beat it out.

hugie82

Get that plug sideways and pry it out!!!

drwet

I'm thinking if you can get a big pry bar in that hole you made you can probably pry it out.