How to Remove Core or Freeze Plugs at Home

While the core or freeze plugs may not be often mentioned, they play an integral part of your automobile motor. While these plugs have a life expectancy of hundreds of thousands, they are susceptible to failure at times. You will need to learn how to safely remove core or freeze plugs from your own home. 

It depends on how bad the freeze plugs are, it might be possible to pull them out. You might need to remove them with a tool, or you can screw them out. If all else fails, you can seal them as a temporary solution, but this isn’t for long-term usage. 

We will be discussing the importance of freeze plugs in this guide. The freeze plugs are also discussed as a problem and the best way to repair them. 

How to remove Core Plugs/Freeze Plugs

1. Get it done

You can remove the frozen plugs that are corroded from your engine block using a screwdriver and a hammer. Use the flat side of your screwdriver to insert the plug. Tap gently on the plug with your hammer, until it rises from the hole.

Be very careful that the freeze plug doesn’t get pushed into the engine block or you will have bigger problems. To remove the freeze plug, you can spend some time on the sides of the engine block and use lock pliers. 

2. You can try it

Although this is the recommended method, it may be more expensive. To get rid of the plug, you can use a plug-removal tool. If you choose one of the tools that don’t require you to drill a hole in it, you will need to pay more.

These are the best tools. Take your time and pry it out gently so you don’t cause any other damage.

Here is one tool you can use, ensure it will fit on your car’s freeze plugs before though. You may earn a commission if you make qualifying purchases through this affiliate link.

3. Fix it

If you can get a good hold of the freeze plug, it isn’t as hard to get it out. You will need to drill the hole in the plug. You can then insert the screwdriver in the hole to pull out the plug. 

You might be able, if the centre of the plug is already rusted you can use a screwdriver to access it without having to drill a new hole. There are also special tools that can be used to complete this task if you don’t mind spending a little money. 

4. Sign it

It is possible to leave the plug in place if it has a very small opening. A liquid block sealer can be used to temporarily plug the hole. 

You won’t want to rely on this short-term fix for long because it could lead to further damage. It’s only meant to get you by for a short time until you can visit your local mechanic for a fix. 

Protect your Freeze Plugs from Damage

You can protect freeze plugs by making sure you use the right coolant. Don’t add water other than what’s needed to mix with the antifreeze. The water may freeze, causing the plugs not to stay in place. 

An engine block heater is also recommended if the climate is very cold. The heater connects to an 110-volt cable, which ensures that the motor receives enough warmth to start smoothly. It’s a decent expense upfront, costing an average of $100-$400 for the parts and labor, but it can save you a lot of headaches down the road. 

What is Freeze Plugs and Core Plugs?

They are an important part of every car's engine. Most drivers don’t check on the freeze plugs because they rarely go bad. These plugs are durable enough to last the entire life of the engine. They can still fail, which could lead to engine failure. 

These tiny plugs, which are cylindrical in shape, are used to fill the engines passages that were created using the sand cores. The engine's production process includes the addition of small passages that enable the removal of any cast. The passages should be filled with coolant to prevent any leakages. That’s where the freeze plugs come in. 

One time, the engine was cool enough to be cooled by plain water. Although this was a good way to remove heat from the engine the water can easily freeze as the temperature drops. When the water inside of the engine froze, freeze plugs would be pushed out to protect it. Coolant is used to protect engines today. This coolant doesn’t freeze, so there should be no reason for the core plugs to push out. 

Why do freeze plugs fail?

Freezing is the most frequent reason core plugs fail. When coolant, water or other fluids in an engine freezes the plugs can push against the block to protect it. Water expands when it freezes and the pressure within the block causes an expansion. With the freeze plugs popping out, the passages are expanded and the block won’t crack as easily. 

A frozen plug must be replaced if it fails. The cooling system will be able to seep out of it if the plug is popped from the engine. This hole will allow coolant to leak and cause it not to perform its task. However, sometimes the plug doesn’t pop all the way out. 

Bad Freeze-Plugs: Signs

If coolant is leaking from the vehicle, it is the first sign that your freeze plug may be defective. A leak can occur if the coolant has been pushed out of your engine block. 

There are two options for determining the severity of the leak: if it is intact or completely removed. If you only see dribbles of fluid, there’s probably only a small gap. 

It can cost anywhere between $100 and $1,000 to replace frozen plugs, depending on the car you have and where it is being serviced. If you are able to replace the plug yourself, it can be a great way to save money.