Freeze plugs popped....now what?

[aurora_inTN]

So we unhooked the hoses, drained the block, and did most of what Don S. said to do (for winterization)...did not add antifreeze to winterize.
We go to dewinterize and realize two of the so-called "freeze plugs" have popped. Got one back on, but the other is in front of the motormount. Engine cranks and runs smoothly..(well as smooth as one can run with water pouring out of the core plug)

Here's the question...Once we get the other plug in, how long should we run the engine to determine any block damage? In other words - I don't want to do anymore damage to the engine that might already be done? Didn't see any water/milking of the oil, but we only ran the engine 4-5 minutes.

It's my first I/O and I hope it's not a lesson learned the hard way!

2003 Volvo 4.3gl w/sx drive

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Freeze plugs popped....now what?

Does not sound good.. If the core plugs came out then there was still water in the system.
You can do a temporary rubber plug then run the engine and look for leaks,cracks or water in the oil.It won't take very long for the oil level to rise or turn milky. You need the system to come up to full operating temp and run it awhile.If its cracked then its going to have to be pulled anyway.
Good Luck with it..

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Freeze plugs popped....now what?

I would not reuse the old core plugs. Replace them.

 

[Don S]

Re: Freeze plugs popped....now what?

So we unhooked the hoses, drained the block, and did most of what Don S. said to do (for winterization)...did not add antifreeze to winterize

.

Assuming you read my HOW TO winterizing post. My guess is your word MOST in the above quote indicates you missed something big. Do you have an OEM manual? Did you take the drain valve out and make sure the openings were clear? Could be full of mud or sand. You should also pull the hose off the engine circulation pump and drain it too. That also relieves any vacuum building up when you open the block drains. Did you drain the intake manifold?
If not, it could be cracked too.
I would suggest putting in the rubber FREEZE PLUGS temporarily and do a pressure check of the cooling system. Block off the hoses that go to the exhaust manifolds. Then adapt a pump and gauge setup to the Tstat housing where the raw water pump hooks up.
It should hold 15 PSI. If you can't pump it up, you have a problem.

 

[aurora_inTN]

Re: Freeze plugs popped....now what?

Thanks for the replies...Don my mistake was not researching what went into winterizing an I/O engine. My co-owner previously owned an I/O so I went with what he said was the way to winterize. I know he unhooked hoses and the drain plugs on the block, but not sure what else. I'll let you know the result.

Is the "pump and gaug set up" like a radiator pressure test?

 

[Don S]

Re: Freeze plugs popped....now what?

Is the "pump and gaug set up" like a radiator pressure test?

Basically yes. If you have a radiator tester, just adapt the hose to fit the stat opening. (yea, that can get creative some times.)

 

[aurora_inTN]

Re: Freeze plugs popped....now what?

Got the other freeze plug in...got it hot...and she ran like a dream...drained the oil...all clean....one lucky beestard I reckin'!!

Next time...I Winterize right!!!

thanks for the inputs.

 

[rickster]

Re: Freeze plugs popped....now what?

Glad everything turned out OK. Are you sure they were freeze plugs and not just the block drain plugs that were "popped out"?