Leaking Anti-Freeze

[ACerf]

I am sure this issue has been out there before, but here goes it! On my 2003 the block plugs on the top of block are leaking. I was told that the anti-freeze that Dodge uses causes the sealant on the plugs to deteroirate cause them to leak. I was told to use the "All Makes, All Models" Anti-Freeze to stop this process. It was also mentioned that it will stop me from having bad water pumps, which I am my third in 130,000 miles! If I remove the plugs to repair the problem what material goes on the threads to seal them?

 

[sag2]

I would leave them alone. The red residue you see is just that, dried antifreeze from a very SMALL leak. That red stuff will find it's way through just about anything.

 

[ACerf]

I would leave them alone. The red residue you see is just that, dried antifreeze from a very SMALL leak. That red stuff will find it's way through just about anything.

In thinking about how much a Diesel rattles, I thought maybe the plugs were loose. I noticed that all three of them turned in about two or three times, and I cleaned off the area around the plugs. There is nothing stopping them from backing out, so that would not surprise me that they would leak over time.

 

[steved]

The short is, tighten them up... this was a common issue had a few years back.

 

[ACerf]

The short is, tighten them up... this was a common issue had a few years back.

We will see if it worked. If they backed out that much, at some point in time I guess I could expect them to pop out! That would not be good... not good at all!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I always thought that red stuff was thread locker compound that was pre-loaded onto the plugs. I thought I remembered seeing it when my eng was new -- no?
Thankfully, mine has never lost any fluid.

 

[Bill Stockard]

The short is, tighten them up... this was a common issue had a few years back.

A common problem with early third generation (2003) and some later models. I tightened all the plugs on my engine's cylinder head about 1/2 to 1 turn to get them to the required torque specification right after I took delivery of the truck.



See TDR Issue 50, page 41 for details which is available in digital form on this website.



Bill

 

[ACerf]

A common problem with early third generation (2003) and some later models. I tightened all the plugs on my engine's cylinder head about 1/2 to 1 turn to get them to the required torque specification right after I took delivery of the truck.



See TDR Issue 50, page 41 for details which is available in digital form on this website.



Bill

Thanks Bill, I see that the torque is 25 ft lbs. I will re-torque them to that spec. I have cleaned the area with some cleaner and will be able to see if it continues to leak. Oo.