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Well,
Im making good progress tearing down my engine (1983 4.7L).
Per WSM, I removed both crankcase drain plugs. I was surprised to find that nothing drained out. When I inspected closer, I saw that both holes are plugged up with some kinda hard stuff. First I thought, oh no, the bolts snapped off inside the crankcase. After an even closer inspection, that doesn't seem to be the case. Plugs dont looked snapped off, they look fine. Whatever it is blocking the holes can be picked out with a pick. Could be corrosion? or just hardened gunk? Almost seems epoxy-ish, but easily picked out, just didnt want to pick it out before bringing this to the experts. Thanks in advance, Josh
Maybe barsleak or something. I have not seen that before, My 3 cars were pretty clean (actually very clean). I wonder if you can flush the block. Also did car run hot at all? Is there obvious radiator damage?
Stopleak?? keep picking until you get coolant? you have the bolt to put back in anyway...there WILL be coolant in there no matter how you drain your radiator. No other way to get all of the coolant out otherwise..
I guess maybe . But how would they get it on the inside of the hole behind the bolt ? Weird
it could actually be a film of scale..hard water deposit...that is on the entire surface of the block inside???? BUT,,,i would have guessed when you undid the bolt it would have fractured the deposits and broke at least some of it loose causing at least a dribble of water??
it could actually be a film of scale..hard water deposit...that is on the entire surface of the block inside???? BUT,,,i would have guessed when you undid the bolt it would have fractured the deposits and broke at least some of it loose causing at least a dribble of water?? eh..stick a punch in and whack it with a hammer!!
Ha! Actually I picked it out until the coolant drained, cleaned the hole and threads with a fine pick and gave it a wipe. I'll flush and clean it out more once everything is apart.
I'm thinking a combination of scale deposit, dirt, maybe some stop leak, over 30 years, about a half inch of build up in the hole. Yuk
Ha! Actually I picked it out until the coolant drained, cleaned the hole and threads with a fine pick and gave it a wipe. I'll flush and clean it out more once everything is apart.
I'm thinking a combination of scale deposit, dirt, maybe some stop leak, over 30 years, about a half inch of build up in the hole. Yuk
give it a really good flush then.
Im more amazed you got the bolts out come to think of it...they are often VERY tight!
To add to this topic...
What product can you flush with or what do folks recommend using that gets rid of this scale?
I had the same situation on my drivers side. I used a screw driver and a tap
Hammer and punched through. I then flushed with a good quality engine cooling system flush. Since this is the bottom of the system I think it's just residue.
Its just residue from years of having only "regular" coolant flushes by a shop too lazy to remove the drain plugs from the block.
I had the same on one of my 87's - I ended up using a bit of corkscrew-shaped wire to get through the stuff and clear a big enough hole to actually drain.
After breaking up the accredtions with a piece of bent coathanger and blasting with a hose to get as much out as I could, I then ran it up to temp with some chemical flush from the auto store, before another complete drain and lots of flushing with water.
Even after all that, I still got a fair bit of sediment out the radiator drain plug over the next few months (draining radiator to remove it for other jobs like PS hoses, heater hoses etc.). Its all just part of the fun of reviving a 928 from the ravages of time
I was surprised how much sediment came out when I drained it, but then again, it probably has been 31 years. I'll make sure to give a good flush prior to running, just to get any remaining junk out of there.
11-24-2014, 10:37 PM
Crankcase drain plugs
