Author Topic: Brass or Steel frost plugs???  (Read 3820 times)

July 05, 2010, 11:24:23 am

tkisling

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Brass or Steel frost plugs???
« on: July 05, 2010, 11:24:23 am »
It would appear the reason my car was overheating yesterday was that I had quite a leak. Today i discovered the leak was caused by a frost plug that is missing. I was wondering if i should use brass or steel freeze plugs.

Reply #1July 05, 2010, 11:38:05 am

Rabbit on Roids

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Re: Brass or Steel frost plugs???
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2010, 11:38:05 am »
they both do the exact same job. brass will last longer, but are you going to own the car long enough to have to replace the soft plugs again?

Reply #2July 05, 2010, 07:55:45 pm

tkisling

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Re: Brass or Steel frost plugs???
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2010, 07:55:45 pm »
I ordered the steel kind from NAPA as the brass ones would take forever to get here and the cost would be ridiculous for shipping. Now, hopefully it won't be a *** to install these things.

Reply #3July 06, 2010, 10:19:47 am

Rabbit on Roids

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Re: Brass or Steel frost plugs???
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2010, 10:19:47 am »
i just use universal dorman soft plugs. 8 bucks for 10 rather than 45 bucks for 6. they were ordered for a toyota 22r, and i only needed one, so i wasnt gonna pay 45 bucks for one soft plug. bought ten, used one, threw them in the parts cabinet. then i used a couple more blocking holes in my ABA block. i love buying parts for one thing, then getting to use them on something completely different.

as for installing, just smear some silicone on the back edge of it that seals to the block, then take a socket that is slightly smaller than the plug, so the plug will just fit over it. and tap the plugs in with a hammer and that socket. its WAY easy. and if you have plugs in the block right now, take a punch, and punch it right at the edge, and it should turn sideways so you can grab it with pliers and pull it out.
« Last Edit: July 06, 2010, 10:21:37 am by Rabbit on Roids »

Reply #4July 07, 2010, 10:37:17 am

rallydiesel

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Re: Brass or Steel frost plugs???
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2010, 10:37:17 am »
Yeah, a missing frost plug might cause a bit of a "leak"  :o.
2006 Jetta TDI - gtb1749v, Malone 2, Frank's Titan 2 cam, VR6 clutch....
1991 Jetta TD - sold :(
2001 Golf TDI - Son's
1981 Rabbit - BEW tdi swap project

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Reply #5July 07, 2010, 10:41:04 pm

Baron VonZeppelin

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Re: Brass or Steel frost plugs???
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2010, 10:41:04 pm »
Wonder if it froze up enough to get pushed out - or if it corroded and then fell out.

Might oughta have a good look at the others to see if they look ready to go - or poke at them with a screwdriver a bit to see if they will break open.

Reply #6July 11, 2010, 11:46:16 am

tkisling

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Re: Brass or Steel frost plugs???
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2010, 11:46:16 am »
I got it in a few days back. Well at 9/10's of t\he way anyway. But it doesn't seem to leak, I sealed it up pretty good with rtv though.