Freeze Plugs or Core Plugs
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Freeze Plugs or Core Plugs
I have a 2000 Dodge Durango with a 5.2L Magnum engine. At 44,000 miles, on March 29, 2005, it started leaking anti-freeze coolant. The dealer indicated that 3 of the 10 freeze (core) plug were leaking due to corrosion. Then, at 62,000 miles, on August 24, 2006, it happened again but this time only 2 of the 10 freeze (core) plug were leaking due to corrosion.
As stated above, it was not 2 years yet between the two leak occurrences (March 2005 to August 2006 = 17 months).
It also has not been 24,000 miles yet between the 2 leak occurrences (44,000 miles and 62,000 miles = 18,000 miles).
Even if I brought the SUV in to the dealer earlier to replace the coolant, the corrosion already took place prior to the maintenance cycles. Both leak problems occurred before each of the recommended maintenance cycles. If I had the opportunity, I would have brought the truck in for maintenance, but it leaked first.
I am having a hard time understanding how could this leak so easily and so quickly. Someone mentioned that Chrysler had a bad batch of freeze plugs, and that probably explains freeze plugs going bad so soon. Another person said that some of the Durangos were assembled in Mexico and that the water that was used in the cooling system when the vehicles left the plant for the U.S. was bad. A mechanic who works on a lot of Dodges was able to explain that Dodge, in their infinite wisdom, sometimes leaves little rods, similar to ones on a little locate flag that is stuck in the ground to mark a utility, in the water jackets of their engines. Couldn't explain why they do that but said it corrodes & causes other corrosion.
Is this a coomon or known problem with the SUV Truck? Thanks for your response.
DODGE DURANGO 4X2 SPORT UTILITY 4-DR Model Year:2000
JS
As stated above, it was not 2 years yet between the two leak occurrences (March 2005 to August 2006 = 17 months).
It also has not been 24,000 miles yet between the 2 leak occurrences (44,000 miles and 62,000 miles = 18,000 miles).
Even if I brought the SUV in to the dealer earlier to replace the coolant, the corrosion already took place prior to the maintenance cycles. Both leak problems occurred before each of the recommended maintenance cycles. If I had the opportunity, I would have brought the truck in for maintenance, but it leaked first.
I am having a hard time understanding how could this leak so easily and so quickly. Someone mentioned that Chrysler had a bad batch of freeze plugs, and that probably explains freeze plugs going bad so soon. Another person said that some of the Durangos were assembled in Mexico and that the water that was used in the cooling system when the vehicles left the plant for the U.S. was bad. A mechanic who works on a lot of Dodges was able to explain that Dodge, in their infinite wisdom, sometimes leaves little rods, similar to ones on a little locate flag that is stuck in the ground to mark a utility, in the water jackets of their engines. Couldn't explain why they do that but said it corrodes & causes other corrosion.
Is this a coomon or known problem with the SUV Truck? Thanks for your response.
DODGE DURANGO 4X2 SPORT UTILITY 4-DR Model Year:2000
JS
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Riverton, UT
RE: Freeze Plugs or Core Plugs
Never heared of the rods in the water jackets. That sounds far feched. As for the freeze plugs, there are quite a few in the heads and the block. They are ment to be replaced as they are like a fuse on the motor protecting it. I had mine replaced and they were bad. But at 120K they should be. It sounds like the other owner or shop might have put some type of agent in the cooling system.