Should I Fix Or Replace

[mattgob86]

Alright, I have found out that my REAR freeze plugs are leaking on my 5.7 in the 'hoe and I also drive a 99 Grand Am so the tahoe is not the daily driver. The Tahoe has almost 230,000 miles on it and the tranny was rebuilt about 60000 miles ago and the 4x4 is good. I will be keeping it for a while because its not worth selling and its a 2 door, its limited . I would tell you what my figures are for each, money wise, but i want it to be a good poll. I already figured that it would be better just to replace it but form your own opinions.

[kuhl_530]

I would have to say it depends on how bad the leak is. Is it a couple drops at night, or is it a puddle every time you park it?

[grampadirt]

I think I would try to replace the freeze plugs with the engine still in the 'Hoe.There will probably be things in the way but it might be easier to remove those parts to get to the freeze plugs.Of course you know to replace said plugs with brass ones,right? I wouldn't pull the engine unless you absolutely had to... JMO

[norsemanberg]

Pull it, This way you do some other things to the engine that you have been meaning to do

[DofD]

I'd try replacing the freeze plugs without pulling the engine. If you are going to pull the engine, then I'd do a rebuild on it while it was out.

[Draenor]

Given the condition of the motor either:

 

Good condition) replace the plugs.

 

Rough Condition) Pull motor, freshen her up; replace seals, gaskets, timing chain, etc....and replace the plugs.....

[mattgob86]

Did i mention that these are the rear plugs, is it even possible to see them with the engine in? They only leak after i drive it and during the drive i can smell the antifreeze on the exhaust. This is the same vehicle in my sig

[norsemanberg]

pull it! you can give the engine a good cleaning, Replace all the freeze plugs, do some other leaky gaskets, you know give it a really good once over.

[VMax2007]

Did i mention that these are the rear plugs, is it even possible to see them with the engine in? They only leak after i drive it and during the drive i can smell the antifreeze on the exhaust. This is the same vehicle in my sig

 

Have you tried using "Barsleaks"? This stuff has worked for me in the past on older vehicles with leaky radiators.

 

[mattgob86]

Did i mention that these are the rear plugs, is it even possible to see them with the engine in? They only leak after i drive it and during the drive i can smell the antifreeze on the exhaust. This is the same vehicle in my sig

 

Have you tried using "Barsleaks"? This stuff has worked for me in the past on older vehicles with leaky radiators.

 

 

 

yea i used something like that and it stopped it for a while but it started leaking again but not as bad.

[norsemanberg]

That stuff should be baned! if it will plug up a leak in a freeze plug it WILL plug up other areas in your engine and radiator! the stuff is NO GOOD!

[Draenor]

That's cause Bars leak is a band-aid. It is a temporary fix to get you where you need to go(or save up for the rapair).

[Nick The Great]

That's cause Bars leak is a band-aid. It is a temporary fix to get you where you need to go(or save up for the rapair).

 

No one in their right mind would do that in their new Corvette or anything. (Not that a new Vette should have a leaky radiator)

 

But in my 80 Citation that was worth $500, it really wasn't worth spending $200 on fixing it right. Especially when the tranny was on it's last leg anyway.

[norsemanberg]

I can see the use there but not in a good truck that only needs a couple of freeze plugs. the stuff just does bad things to the cooling systems. I agree that it good as a band-aid fix but it is still hard to flush a the crap out once you have completed the fix. I just hate the stuff. It's my opinion and opinions are like a$$ holes everyones got one.

[ALange]

I would not operate with a leaky freeze plug because they can go from a drip to a gush before you can say warped head. Rebuilding a small block is not expensive, and crate motors are cheap enough too. 230K is a job well done return the favor with a fresh lease on life.