I am looking for suggestions from members who have had this problem and successfully fixed it.
I had a serious refrigerant leak quite suddenly and despite poor visibility behind the engine decided it looked like a core plug corroded through.
I removed the intake and exhaust manifold with turbo and all water hoses and pipework to clear the deck for what I knew would be a tough repair.
Then I discovered the 4 large core plugs down the rear side of the cylinder block looked quite good.
Applying the air line to the small water inlet at the right hand side of the head revealed air blowing out near the head/block joint, just below the row of manifold attachment studs in the rear side of the head.
Then I saw there are three 8mm diameter core plugs along the base of the head, and one was clearly perforated.
I would like to hear from anyone who has replaced these with the head in situ, as I prefer not to remove it if not absolutely necessary.
My own suggestions are :-
1. drive the existing plug further in and drive another into the location after it.
2. tap a thread 8x1.5mm and pull it out with an 8mm bolt and a long tyre lever, followed by a new plug.
3. tap a thread 8x1.5mm and plug it with good engine sealant and a short 8mm headless screw, maybe brass.
I do not expect to find these plugs as a spare part in the Almeria Fiat agency, nor in any nearby motor factor. I have never seen a cup-type core plug so small before.
All suggestions will be carefully looked at.
I had a serious refrigerant leak quite suddenly and despite poor visibility behind the engine decided it looked like a core plug corroded through.
I removed the intake and exhaust manifold with turbo and all water hoses and pipework to clear the deck for what I knew would be a tough repair.
Then I discovered the 4 large core plugs down the rear side of the cylinder block looked quite good.
Applying the air line to the small water inlet at the right hand side of the head revealed air blowing out near the head/block joint, just below the row of manifold attachment studs in the rear side of the head.
Then I saw there are three 8mm diameter core plugs along the base of the head, and one was clearly perforated.
I would like to hear from anyone who has replaced these with the head in situ, as I prefer not to remove it if not absolutely necessary.
My own suggestions are :-
1. drive the existing plug further in and drive another into the location after it.
2. tap a thread 8x1.5mm and pull it out with an 8mm bolt and a long tyre lever, followed by a new plug.
3. tap a thread 8x1.5mm and plug it with good engine sealant and a short 8mm headless screw, maybe brass.
I do not expect to find these plugs as a spare part in the Almeria Fiat agency, nor in any nearby motor factor. I have never seen a cup-type core plug so small before.
All suggestions will be carefully looked at.
