Cannot remove 4.0 ltr engine block drain plug. What is the next best alternative? - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

Go Back   AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand > JEEP GARAGE > Technical
Register Forums Trading Your Jeep New Garage Mark All Read

Post New Thread  Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 07-02-2019
Eruntalon's Avatar
Eruntalon  Eruntalon is offline
Established Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Victoria
Posts: 116
What Jeep do I drive?: TJ
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 4 Posts
Default Cannot remove 4.0 ltr engine block drain plug. What is the next best alternative?

I'm doing a radiator fluid flush on a 2002 TJ and have been successful right up until the engine block drain plug. Have made the correct fitting to go into the plugs square hole but the plug is not going to come out (square hole has now been gnarled into a more circular hole) regardless of force and lubrication.

Is there another point on the engine block I can drain as a second best option instead?
  #2  
Old 07-02-2019
Jonny Jeep's Avatar
Jonny Jeep  Jonny Jeep is offline
RustysRocker
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Manchester, UK
Age: 53
Posts: 1,335
What Jeep do I drive?: TJ
Likes: 18
Liked 123 Times in 94 Posts
Default

The 97 FSM shows the drain plug under the #5 exhaust port but uses an older picture showing a temp sensor location slightly higher up under the #2 exhaust port. If you are lucky that hole is still machined into the block but has been plugged and could be used.



Other than that, flushing with distilled water would be your best option, then putting in five quarts of neat coolant and using distilled water to fill to the correct level, including the reservoir which will mix as the engine heats and cools.

Unlucky the proper plug didn't come out. I'd heard they could be stuck fast, but have had no problem removing mine in the past.

Last edited by Jonny Jeep; 07-02-2019 at 06:50 PM.
  #3  
Old 07-02-2019
Eruntalon's Avatar
Eruntalon  Eruntalon is offline
Established Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Victoria
Posts: 116
What Jeep do I drive?: TJ
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 4 Posts
Default

Are you suggesting trying to release coolant in the engine block via the temp sensor port?

I've already flushed distilled water through the radiator and heater core. As an alternative to the engine block plug I'm considering just running the vehicle on straight distilled water until it heats up, then dumping it again, and then running it on coolant as a final step.
  #4  
Old 07-02-2019
ajftj's Avatar
ajftj  ajftj is offline
AJOR Gold
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Geelong
Posts: 134
What Jeep do I drive?: TJ
Likes: 9
Liked 21 Times in 17 Posts
Default

Seems like you are going a bit overboard.

Unless you have some kind of cooling problem, or heater problem, I really wouldn't feel the need to take plugs out of the block.

Use a coolant flush additive and water, fill it up, drive it around making sure your heater is getting good and hot on both feed and return pipes that run along the rocker cover.

Give all your pipes a good squeeze when they are warning up, they should be flexible not crunchy. Crunchy means lined with rust on the inside from age.

After a hot run with the flush solution, get it out, you really don't want that stuff left in there for more than an hour.

Drain it, and if your being particularly fussy, repeat the full and flush with another flush solution. I did mine twice to get it clear, you will never get it completely clear, but you will get it good enough.

Then fill it with premix Nulon green, if you buy it at the right time from supercheap its about $25 for 6L, fill the rest with distilled, drive it till your next service.

Then at service time just dump the coolant and refill to the correct percentages.

My recommendation is based on keeping the cost down, because I'm almost prepared to bet that after you have flushed it, sometime soon you will find something in the system that forces you to drain and refill anyway.

Radiator, thermostat, thermostat housing leaks, water pump, rubber pipes, hopefully not heater.

Just flush it, fill it cheaply, use it, keep an eye on it.
__________________
2004 TJ, 4.0L, Manual, finally reliable and fun.
Likes: (1)
  #5  
Old 09-02-2019
nitrobrent's Avatar
nitrobrent  nitrobrent is offline
Full Flexer
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: kincumber south
Posts: 686
What Jeep do I drive?: TJ
Likes: 237
Liked 145 Times in 89 Posts
Default

If you really have to , knock out the Welsh plugs and get the hose in there.
You'll get out left over casting sand and iron scale.
__________________
It doesn't matter how big a problem you have with your Jeep,it's nothing that money can't fix.
  #6  
Old 09-02-2019
Jonny Jeep's Avatar
Jonny Jeep  Jonny Jeep is offline
RustysRocker
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Manchester, UK
Age: 53
Posts: 1,335
What Jeep do I drive?: TJ
Likes: 18
Liked 123 Times in 94 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eruntalon View Post
Are you suggesting trying to release coolant in the engine block via the temp sensor port?
If there's a plug I'd try it. It's possible they stopped machining the hole so there may not be a plug there at all.
I first removed the drain plug on mine when I changed coolant type to Zerex G-05 as used in later TJs, as I figured it was the simplest way to get rid of all the old coolant.
  #7  
Old 10-12-2020
Mudgee hunter  Mudgee hunter is offline
Established Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 208
What Jeep do I drive?: XJ
Likes: 12
Liked 31 Times in 27 Posts
Default

I gave mine a good hit with compressed air.
Sadly the ports are rather small on the head, and it dosent take much build up to restrict flow. Getting the crumbs out is probably more important than getting some distilled water out.
Last flush I did, I refilled it with distilled water, and left the lower radiator hose off , ran it till hot, then gave it 3500rpm till it blew off under pressure.
The blast spat crumbs out everywhere.
Post New Thread  Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On





All times are GMT +10. The time now is 11:20 PM.


Advertisements




AJOR does not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of AJOR or any entity associated with AJOR, nor should any advice be substituted as technical advice replacing that of a mechanic. You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use AJOR to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, religious, political or otherwise violative of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by AJOR. The owner, administrators and moderators of AJOR reserve the right to delete any message or members for any or no reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold harmless AJOR, the administrators, moderators, and their agents with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). The use of profile signatures to intentionally mislead or misdirect any member on this forum is not acceptable and may result in your account being suspended. Any trip that is organised through the AJOR forum is participated at your own risk. If you or your vehicle is damaged it is your responsibility, not that of the person that posted the thread, message or topic initiating the trip, nor the organisers of AJOR or moderators of any specific forum. This forum and associated website is the property of AJOR. No user data is harvested and no information supplied in your registration will be sold for profit.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

AJOR © 2002 - 2024 AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM. All corporate trademarked names and logos are property of their respective owners. Ausjeepoffroad is in no way associated with DaimlerChrysler Corporation or Fiat Jeep.
www.ausjeep.com www.ausjeep.com.au www.midlifemate.com ausjeepforum.com www.r9kustoms.com
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=