Rubber core plug/freeze plug 2 years on....

[bhm1712]

Some may remember that I had a leaky core plug 2 years ago and I ended up replacing it with a Dorman "Quick seal rubber expansion plug" as I didn't want to take the engine out and there was no room to swing a cat where the core plug was located.

Basically, the rubber plug is 2 pieces of metal with rubber sandwiched between and a screw running through the middle. You put the plug in the casting hole and tighten the nut on the screw. It squeezes the rubber and expands it into the opening and completely plugs the hole by expanding larger than the hole on the inside of the block and into the opening itself. It's rated up to a very high psi. I was dubious at first as I'd read that they are no good and end up blowing out on some forums. Others said they were great.....

Well 2 years on and it's still fitted and has never blown out or leaked. I drove the car in the recent heat wave and sat in solid traffic for more than 15 minutes at certain points.

Apparently, providing you select the right size plug for your block casting holes , blowing out or leaking is highly unlikely and most times when they blow is due to a too small size being used that just doesn't expand large enough into the hole.

If you have a leaky or blown out core plug and its in a hard to get place and you just don't have the time or cash to get the engine out to replace it I can recommend the "quick seal rubber" expansion plugs.

Since I did mine my car has covered only 2000 miles but I figure if it was going to fail it would have done by now.

http://www.dormanproducts.com/c-354-exp ... ubber.aspx