Just so I'm clear, are we talking about a threaded drain plug or a pressed-in core plug, about 1 1/4" in diameter? If this is a core plug that's leaking, first you have to remove it by tapping on the side with a punch and hammer to spin it 90 degrees, then you can grab it with a pliers to pull it out.
New core plugs are pounded in with a special tool that includes various sizes of cones and an extension rod. That rod comes in two different lengths and they swivel so you can work around obstructions. This isn't normally a difficult job if the car is up on a hoist.
If you have the room, you can drill a small hole in the side of the plug, then run in a long threaded self-tapping screw. Once the screw hits the cylinder wall and you continue tightening it, the core plug will be pulled out. Be careful to stop drilling as soon as you get through the plug. There is normally enough room behind them to install an engine heater, but in the case of one Chevy engine, there was so little room, the mechanic drilled right through the cylinder wall and destroyed a brand new engine.
If you're working on the ground or if you just don't have access, there are rubber core plugs that are meant for temporary repairs, but they seem to work fine for permanent repairs. You simply slide the proper size plug into the hole, then tighten the wing nut in the middle. That expands the plug to create the seal.
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 AT 4:02 AM