Blowing out my freeze plugs

eiorg9 · Mar 9, 2015

Ok so i had some leaks in my cooling system and wanted to get them fixed since i know had the time to do so. I had fixed one of the RAD houses and wanted to check for more leaks. I was told to stick my air compressor hose on the degas bottle and that would tell me if i had any more leaks. Well i did so and didn't see any leaks. About 20 minutes later i was changing my oil and suddenly the freeze plug that is directly above where the tranny connects came dropping down and hit the pavement. I was very shocked. Since i had just pressurized the system (obviously more than i was supposed to) so i just blamed it on that. It was very difficult to get the plug back in so i used an expandable freeze plug instead. Well i had planned on doing a lot of upgrades/maintenance on my truck since i felt it needed it and we had just moved from TN to AL so i took the time to get my truck in tip top shape. I installed a MISHIMOTO radiator, then did an EGR delete kit, installed a cooling system filter, and since i had rust in the cooling system
i decided to do a cooling system flush as well. When i got done and turned the truck on i saw a lit wrench where my mileage and odometer are. I drove it around a little while simply to finish the flush changing from tap water to distilled. i had removed the thermostats and replaced them with new ones after i had put in the distilled water. Right when i was about to mix the distilled water with the recommended gold motocraft coolant my truck got so hot i had to pull over. i was less than a mile from home so i let it cool and then got my truck home. So today i went under to see whats the problem. Well i realized that i had gotten an expandable plug one size too small and my truck spit it out. I got the right one back in there and then went to fill the degas bottle. To my surprise i saw water poring out the bottom and then learned that 2 more of the freeze plugs had been pushed out. So now I'm lost. I don't know if i got them super loose when i stupidly put the air compressor to the degas bottle or if i have a more serious issue going on. So i need the help of the experts on here to help me as i am really freaking out. The last thing i want to do is to take it to Ford. So please if anyone has any info please let me know. I won't do anything until i get marching orders....

Thanks you very much.

ghohouston · Mar 9, 2015

eiorg9 said:
Ok so i had some leaks in my cooling system and wanted to get them fixed since i know had the time to do so. I had fixed one of the RAD houses and wanted to check for more leaks. I was told to stick my air compressor hose on the degas bottle and that would tell me if i had any more leaks. Well i did so and didn't see any leaks. About 20 minutes later i was changing my oil and suddenly the freeze plug that is directly above where the tranny connects came dropping down and hit the pavement. I was very shocked. Since i had just pressurized the system (obviously more than i was supposed to) so i just blamed it on that. It was very difficult to get the plug back in so i used an expandable freeze plug instead. Well i had planned on doing a lot of upgrades/maintenance on my truck since i felt it needed it and we had just moved from TN to AL so i took the time to get my truck in tip top shape. I installed a MISHIMOTO radiator, then did an EGR delete kit, installed a cooling system filter, and since i had rust in the cooling system
i decided to do a cooling system flush as well. When i got done and turned the truck on i saw a lit wrench where my mileage and odometer are. I drove it around a little while simply to finish the flush changing from tap water to distilled. i had removed the thermostats and replaced them with new ones after i had put in the distilled water. Right when i was about to mix the distilled water with the recommended gold motocraft coolant my truck got so hot i had to pull over. i was less than a mile from home so i let it cool and then got my truck home. So today i went under to see whats the problem. Well i realized that i had gotten an expandable plug one size too small and my truck spit it out. I got the right one back in there and then went to fill the degas bottle. To my surprise i saw water poring out the bottom and then learned that 2 more of the freeze plugs had been pushed out. So now I'm lost. I don't know if i got them super loose when i stupidly put the air compressor to the degas bottle or if i have a more serious issue going on. So i need the help of the experts on here to help me as i am really freaking out. The last thing i want to do is to take it to Ford. So please if anyone has any info please let me know. I won't do anything until i get marching orders....

Thanks you very much.

You shot 120ish psi into your coolant system?

DWhite · Mar 9, 2015

If you did air it up to 120 psi that is a tough hit. The coolant cap releases pressure around 15-16 psi iirc. So you might have pushed the plugs enough to mess up the threads and might have to tap. I'm not 100% sure on anything else but I would be wondering what else could have happened.

7.3powerstroke00 · Mar 9, 2015

Freeze plugs are just pressed or hammered in, nothing to tap. But yes I would say it likely pushed them out a ways when you shot the air to it... for future reference when pressure testing 15-17 lbs of pressure is plenty...

eiorg9 · Mar 10, 2015

i didnt personally shoot the air in. A "diesel mechanic" who ive since learned works at the front desk and not in the shop did so. Still i blame myself as i should. But nonetheless i am happier that its that type of situation bc i can fix that. Ive since educated myself to the max on my engine and have already gotten the most difficult freeze plug put back in using an expandable so i believe that i will do that with the other two as well. Im very thankful for those who helped me get to this point and those who replied. Thanks again and im sure ill be asking more questions as i continue with my mods and upgrades.

DWhite · Mar 10, 2015

Sorry for some reason I was thinking about the screw in drain blocks on block. Yes like stated above freeze plug are press in.

7.3powerstroke00 · Mar 10, 2015

eiorg9 said:
i didnt personally shoot the air in. A "diesel mechanic" who ive since learned works at the front desk and not in the shop did so. Still i blame myself as i should. But nonetheless i am happier that its that type of situation bc i can fix that. Ive since educated myself to the max on my engine and have already gotten the most difficult freeze plug put back in using an expandable so i believe that i will do that with the other two as well. Im very thankful for those who helped me get to this point and those who replied. Thanks again and im sure ill be asking more questions as i continue with my mods and upgrades.

The rubber ones will work for a little while but I'd keep an eye on them as the rubber can dry out and begin to crack...