Freeze Plugs - Dumped coolant - Maintenance item?

[gamefreakgc]

Well they're not a regular maintenance item because they act as a sort of failsafe to keep your block from freezing and cracking. Did the vehicle sit for a while through freezing weather? As said, unfortunately they'd all have to be replaced and it's definitely not a quick job or easy one for most. In theory you could just replace the popped ones, though it would make little sense as you'd already have the others ones accessible by then and you'd run the chance of doing this again in the future

Yeah that was my thought too. If one freeze plug was leaking, ok it's a fluke just change it. But 2? Sounds like that 4Runner's coolant did actually freeze. Maybe too much water in it.

 

[jlaho]

Yeah that was my thought too. If one freeze plug was leaking, ok it's a fluke just change it. But 2? Sounds like that 4Runner's coolant did actually freeze. Maybe too much water in it.

That, or possibly internal corrosion from coolant that was in service for too long. That should be easy to rule out once the plugs are out. Good luck, Devbo.

 

[devbo]

Appreciate all the responses guys, thank you.

I'm definitely willing to put in the money and time to this car - cosmetically it's in such great condition - I'm just at a loss for how this happened as it seems fairly rare.

Truck's never been exposed to freezing conditions. My theory is that the engine ran hot and warped the plugs.

It passed the block test, no white smoke from exhaust, but I'll keep this thread updated after compression test.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Appreciate all the responses guys, thank you.

I'm definitely willing to put in the money and time to this car - cosmetically it's in such great condition - I'm just at a loss for how this happened as it seems fairly rare.

Truck's never been exposed to freezing conditions. My theory is that the engine ran hot and warped the plugs.

It passed the block test, no white smoke from exhaust, but I'll keep this thread updated after compression test.

I could see that happening if the coolant started to boil and if your radiator cap failed. Normally if it overheats and builds too much pressure the valve in the radiator cap opens and starts spewing coolant at the cap. Not supposed to pop a freeze plug.

 

[Devbot]

Truck's never been exposed to freezing conditions. My theory is that the engine ran hot and warped the plugs.

It would have to get ungodly hot for that to happen and you'd most likely have warped heads by then (if not a cracked block) but I suppose it IS possible, and if you're located in Santa Monica I guess the chances of you seeing freezing weather is all but zero. And then again, the car would've had to been parked in the cold without moving/starting for quite some time for them to pop - unless it was somewhere horrifically cold it wouldn't happen overnight. Engine's aren't THAT fragile, not by a long shot
Just out of curiosity, did you know the PO or how the vehicle was cared for previously, as in here they might have taken it or why they listed it for sale?

 

[devbo]

did you know the PO or how the vehicle was cared for previously, as in here they might have taken it or why they listed it for sale?

There were a few PO'S before me, didn't know them all. All I do know is that it was regularly maintained and kept indoors for most of it's life - never left California. It looked cared for, but there's no way of knowing. I've had it for 15k miles and no problem.

My radiator cracked on me 3 months back mid-drive. I didn't notice the temp gauge until it was already just below red. When I pulled over the radiator had a massive crack along the top like it split right open. I'm guess ing this is where all the trouble began.

Here's a video of it: 4runner cracked radiator - YouTube

 

[3bears]

never seen one crack that bad...