Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

[farmboy_rob]

I have a mercruiser 228 that i am getting ready to use soon but i have a problem with the freeze plug on the right side. There is water comming out of the plug when i run the motor. I felt inside the hole and it jsut seems that the plug got pushed in somehow. also there is no water in the oil so i dont think anything is cracked. Is there any way that i can pull the plug out or am i wrong completely?

 

[mkast]

Re: Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

Using a decent light look for the core plug, in the block, using a mirror if needed.
Using a pair of vice grips, grab the core plug anyway you can, pry it through the hole in the block.
Or, take the other route, install new core plug and forget it until it starts moving around inside the block and rears it's ugly head later on, when you can least afford (read, while on the water).

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

Just to follow up the above - if you take a punch and knock the plug into the block on one side, the other side will pop out and you can use the vice grips to simply pull it out. Then install a new one: Coat the outside with some Permatex #2 and tap the new plug in with a socket sized large enough to basically fill the inside of the plug.

 

[hard-3]

Re: Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

there is actually a special tool made for removing freeze plugs it works by drilling a hole in the plug and screwing a special puller fastner into the plug then you have a yoke that straddles the plug and pulls it out. be very carefull with the beat it out with a hammer method. the casting around the freeze plugs is very thin and prone to cracking. hopefully yours is corroded and leaking and not due to expansion of block by freezing. the actual purpose of the plug is to fill a hole in the block made in the casting process. Not as a anti-freeze relief device as some people thing. usually pushed out freeze plugs indicate a much deeper problem. however corrosion on metal plugs can be easily mended by replacing using brass plugs.

 

[farmboy_rob]

Re: Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

thanks alot for all of the help i will give it a try and hopefully get it running soon ill post bac if it works

 

[flargin]

Re: Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

the actual purpose of the plug is to fill a hole in the block made in the casting process. Not as a anti-freeze relief device as some people thing.

REALLY

Sure do learn something new every day..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

Quote:
Originally Posted by hard-3
the actual purpose of the plug is to fill a hole in the block made in the casting process. Not as a anti-freeze relief device as some people thing.

REALLY

Sure do learn something new every day..

Ayuh,...... Really,..... They're called Core plugs....

I felt inside the hole and it jsut seems that the plug got pushed in somehow.

Thay's Odd,.... They're Usually pushed Out from Freezing....

Can you feel/ see the Plug,..??..??

 

[farmboy_rob]

Re: Mercruiser 228 freeze plug problems

well it probly just corroded out cuz its been sitting for a couple of years i just dont no whats its suppose to feel like. but all u have to do is jstu buy a replacement for it?