those with blown freeze plugs

[KevinO]

How many out there have blown the freeze plugs out of the block? I blew mine out the other day on the rear of the block. Called Chrysler directly since the truck was tested when relatively new for this problem they said could cause a rapid coolant loss. Now Chrysler says I do not know what i'm talking about, that this hasn't been an issue ever before. I am looking up the paperwork they sent me so i can fax it to them. They said it may or may not cover it.

 

[BTighe]

are you asking them to cover it with all those goodies on your rig? even if it was brought up earlier id put money down saying the dealer just plain tells you its you problem. if they do fix it because they basicly put it off for later then congrats to you. only thing ive gotten out my dealer is a truck full of horse crap.

was there a TSB on these plugs?

 

[KevinO]

no TSB it was a letter that had certain vin #'s that were to be recalled and tested. They even gave me a rental right away when they tested it. I took all the electronics off of it. Can't hide a purple transmission and bigger turbo though. I'm hoping for the best The plug is the lowest one so even if it comes out of my pocket they should be able to get it without dropping the transmission or anything. I've been told it can be changed in a parking lot with the proper tools.

 

[GWoody]

I see in your sig that you are running the Smarty. This is interesting, I had never had a freeze plug problem till the Smarty was loaded on my truck then the rear plug just above the transmission blew out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing smarty but it along with the same combo, tst, and the EZ may cause #6 cylinder to get pretty hot causing the block to expand just a little allowing the freeze plug to come out. This plug is only about 1/4" from the outside of the cylinder once it is pressed into the block. The lip on this plug is also very narrow, maybe an 1/8". We put it back with JB weld and a plate over the plug, but the transmission had to be pulled. Is this the same plug that blew on yours? Were you or had you been running it pretty hard?

 

[SRadke]

I popped mine on my 03 running a TST and twins. I know of at least 4 others personally.



-Scott

 

[KevinO]

I was running the truck pretty hard a few launches with the smarty on level 8 and tst on 2-1 ez on 1. It may be because of the slightly higher rpm now?? It was the same one right above the transmission. I am getting a o-ring late seal for it supposed to be here tomorrow. i was told it can go in without dropping anything. I had some real problems with the dealer and chrysler saying they couldn't put it back in without pulling the head. They went from a 250 bill to over 1500 so it has been sitting in my driveway waiting for me to not work a 16 hour day and get the part to put in it.

 

[BIG BOB]

Mine blew out of Ghost Rider. Dealer covered it. Was not related to the performance enhancements. The were going to also pull the head and I told them No, pull the transmission. I didn't want them breaking the best seal that the headgasket was going to get, the one from the factory. They followed my advice and pulled the transmission.

 

[Tomeygun]

All you high HP guys better not give my truck the freeze-plug-BAD-mojo!!

45k overfueled miles and still looking good on that plug.



BTW - The solution that KEVINO is going is an OEM part that my cummins guy at Cummins South found. It is a plate that a few application of the 5. 9 use that need coolant from that hole, so it is a plate with 2-3 holes that we will obviously just plug, But at least its a seal that will not break again



I am sure Kevin will give an update once he gets it in the mail

 

[MChildress]

I remember when that letter came out on the 04. 5's. I watched the dealer test one,they ran the engine wide open for a few minutes and if the freeze plug did not let go they said all was ok. I told the service manager thats not much load on the motor and he said that is all STAR told them to do.

 

[WUnderwood]

whats this about the 04. 5's???



I bought my truck used, and I was wondering if I missed something. Can you run a VIN check or what?



thanks in advance fellas

 

[KevinO]

i got the paperwork saying the test needed to be done now chrysler looked up my vin and said they don't have a clue as to what i'm talking about and this was supposed to be a manager of at star. i will get a pic on here later of the part it just got here. if this fits there is no way it will ever happen again. it's a thick piece of machined steel with a o ring groove cut in it to fit against the block, nothing goes back in that hole. you will need to get a 1/2 npt plug to fit the port in the machined piece.

 

[Old Man]

KevinO, Cummins part number when you get a chance for the fix for the rear freeze plug. The test was for certain engine serial numbers, it was called a Rapid Response. I thought I printed it but can't find it. This is the only thing I could find. RRT. Rapid Response #04012. Go to search and type in Rapid Recall. Sag2 had a good write up. Hope this helps.

__________________

 

[KevinO]

sorry for the late response that cummins part does NOT fit our common rail engines. No matter what the parts guy says. truck is finally back together. I took a 2"x9"x1/2" plate drilled holes at 7 3/4" apart very close to the top. The common rail block has different holes already tapped in the back. The water transfer connector will fit 2nd gens. After I had the plate pulled tight with the freeze plug being pushed in behind it I hit it a few times with the hammer and pulled the plate off and it was flat with the block and then i could hammer it the rest of the way in, quick steel over the whole plug and reinstalled the plate for extra insurance. I also had to take the water tube off that runs over top the transmission to make it easier.

 

[Smokey 01]

I blew min out with my hot juice. Dealer told me that it was not covered under the diesel engine warranty. However, I believ he did say it was covered on early 600 trucks.