steve_d Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Spotted one on the drive under my Dakar. Knew there was something I forgot to do after putting the engine back in...anti-freeze. Lets hope it did what it was designed to do and save the block. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveturnbull Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 Fingers crossed for you. I helped take an engine out of a series 3 yesterday evening that had a huuuuge crack in it thanks to a lack of anti-freeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyEvans Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 to be honest they dont normally do there job and end up cracking the block between cylinders first. but hope for u it has this time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paintman Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 That's because they are not intended as expansion plugs. They are there to fill holes left during the casting process. Some also to fill holes used for machining operations. Better explanation at http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_105.htm Keep your fingers crossed that you have no damage. VERY common in this last bit of cold weather as everyone is used to the mild winters we've had & hasn't bothered doing the antifreeze. Not a good idea as it also protects against internal corrosion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 The recent sustained freeze has caught a lot of people out who didn't have enough/any anti-freeze in their motors. I repaired a K-series engine the other day that had sheared the impellor off the water pump because of internal ice. The engine would overheat within a couple of minutes and it was still being driven. Still - that'll be a head gasket to do soon Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_d Posted January 15, 2009 Author Share Posted January 15, 2009 Popped a new plug in but water now floods out down the back of the engine but can't see from where. Suspect it is the heater pipes that run under the intake as they were looking a bit rusy last time the inlet was off. So this just brings forward the install of the MS 3.9 which is ready on the engine stand. Ho hum Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Every cloud has a silver lining then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upnover4x4 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 My 200tdi popped one out last week at -7, replaced the plug with no damage to the block. I think the severity of damage depends on how much coolant was in your syaem. Fortunately I didnt have a full header so theis allowed this water more expansion space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAttrill Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 That's because they are not intended as expansion plugs. They are there to fill holes left during the casting process. Some also to fill holes used for machining operations. Keep your fingers crossed that you have no damage. VERY common in this last bit of cold weather as everyone is used to the mild winters we've had & hasn't bothered doing the antifreeze. Not a good idea as it also protects against internal corrosion Agreed - welch plugs are not there to pop out, but to fill the holes. If you have a Tdi and run it without antifreeze the core plugs will rust through and your engine will be stuffed unless you have a coolant level sensor fitted. Reconned an engine last month. The water pump and the internals of the block looked a sight to see. Owner thinks it doesn't get cold in SA, and he was right on that score. If you have a TD5 and run it without antifreeze the oil cooler will corrode through (I've seen three now) and the oil at 4 bar or so will go into the coolant which is at 1 bar. Makes a mess, but not the end of the world if you catch it before the engine runs out of oil. On the TD5 head the coolant channels are VERY close to the bores so you are asking for blown head gaskets in the future if they get corroded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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