Author Topic: Freeze plug removal? Need to install a block heater. (Read 5749 times)

jackbombay · « **on:** January 01, 2008, 12:52:24 pm »

Whats the easiest way to get a freeze plug out for a block heater? Its a NA 1.9 if it makes a difference.

rallydiesel · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2008, 01:31:55 pm »

Use a punch or screwdriver and tap it at the edge so it turns in the hole and then pull it out.

jackbombay · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2008, 02:11:59 pm »

Thanks!

the caveman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2008, 03:12:30 pm »

be careful of the quality of the block heater you're putting in. When i was at VW it seemed the only ones that lasted or didn't pop out were the ones we got through VW even though they were not even a vw boxed part. I believe they were Canadian made. If i remember the difference was the size and strength of the screw and butterfly. The vw ones were twice the thickness as the aftermarket ones and you could tell when tightening them as they were much harder to turn as they set.

cory · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2008, 02:51:00 pm »

I have been trying to remove my freeze plug this morning and am having no luck with the tap and pull method.

Any other ways to go about getting these things to budge ?

~1991 Jetta Diesel Non-Turbo'd

QuickTD · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2008, 02:57:25 pm »

You can drill or punch a small hole in them, partially screw in a good sized sheet metal screw(#10 or 12) and pull them out with a claw hammer or a prybar. If you have a slide hammer that works even better. Doing it in the car is going to be a pain no matter what method you choose.

the caveman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2008, 02:58:02 pm »

I use to use an old torsion bar from a type 3 and a BFH. i filed it so there was a nice to catch the lip of the frost plug rather than just punctureing it. A long bar or real long flat screwdriver maybe.

cory · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2008, 03:25:32 pm »

And just to be sure I am tappin' on the right spot...I am just under the intake/exhaust manifolds on the rear of the block. There looks to be two plugs, but only one of them that I can actually get at without dismantling the exhaust system.

Is this the correct spot ?

burn_your_money · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2008, 03:27:07 pm »

That does sound like the correct spot. I thought there were 3 of them but I could be wrong

the caveman · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2008, 03:40:21 pm »

it's definitely going to be hard going if the car isn't on a lift. I would try what quicktd said, drill in a screw and then try prying it out. or get a dremel or whatever and grind out a slot so you can get a prybar or crowbar to yank it out. If there's a lot of rust it maybe real hard and you'll have to clean it up before installing the block heater. even though VW had good quality ones, they stopped because failure rates because of poor installations.

jackbombay · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2008, 10:55:45 pm »

Quote from: "burn_your_money"

That does sound like the correct spot. I thought there were 3 of them but I could be wrong

Yes, 3 of them.

I chickened out actually, let the guy in town with a lift do it.