Cascade Crew

RSFreak · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject: Damn Ford!!!

So I finally got my serp belt on the Taurus this morning. Got antifreeze in the radiator. Started up and ran like a champ for about a minute. Then a large cloud of steam comes out from under the engine. I shut it down and look under the car to see torents of coolent pouring down from some unknown location. There was also a freeze plug laying on the ground. That sucks but not the end of the world. So I go to Schmucks and get a rubber freeze plug (the kind that have the tightening screw on them) for $2.36. I finally locate the missing plug way up behind the exhaust manifold. Get it in with much effort and start the car. Now its leaking from the other side! One of the other freeze plugs is leaking!!! By this point I am totally frustrated and call it a day. I will be back at it again tomorrow morning. Sad

iansane · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:05 pm Post subject:

That sucks man! But at least it was freeze plugs and not a cracked block.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject:

chevymad · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

So far we've only had one freeze victim come into work. A vw vanagon. I poured water in, it poured out just as fast. It "looks" like both head gaskets are pushed out.

I expect to have a bunch more come in as soon as everything thaws out. Then people will realize theres no water or freeze plugs in their motors.

Good luck with the taurus anyway. Even if its a ford.

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:26 pm Post subject:

chevymad · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

Well it kinda is now. Laughing

flea · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject:

I affectionately refer to my wifes Taurus as the Ford Piece O' Crap

RSFreak · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

I've been studying the Taurus forums recently and it seems freeze plugs routinely pop out on the gen 3 Vulcan V6s. There was even a recall (long since expired) put out by Ford due to inferior freeze plugs.

BTW, those rubber freeze plugs are really trick! If I ever have a plug come out on one of my Chevy engines I'm gonna replace 'em with the rubber ones! Smile

dlp · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 12:59 am Post subject:

You want have one pop out on a SBC, the block will crack first.

I used to work at a boat shop that handled Mercruiser warranty. Funny thing was that there nore OMC with freeze damaged blocks than Mercs.

I think it had to do with the paint on the blocks. Thick paint wouldnt let the plugs pop out.

cameron7710 · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:14 am Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:28 am Post subject:

cameron7710 · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 6:11 am Post subject:

chevymad · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:46 am Post subject:

http://www.xydatasource.com/xy-showdatasetpage.php?datasetcode=746841&searchtext=glycol&dsid=34

Interesting little chart. I actually had some straight antifreeze (in the overflow) freeze up on me once. Couldn't figure it out till I was reading that a few years later.

QwkTrip · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:57 am Post subject:

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:12 am Post subject:

i always wonder why those plugs are easy to pull out on the v6 ford they also come with cracked rods (instead of a machined connecting rod cap they are seizmic cracked from the factory) alot of them had no wear just a broken rod.

RSFreak · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:33 am Post subject:

I like the power this engine has. It really moves my big wagon in a hurry. Too bad there were so many quality issues with it. This car will be traded in as soon as I can afford to get another reliable vehicle (not another 3rd gen!). Sad

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 3:35 pm Post subject:

Pfft. It takes a real man to daily a thirdgen. I did it for over a year before I sold out.

BTW, why not daily the RS, John?

RSFreak · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:

I daily drove the RS for about four years before having the Taurus given to me. It needs tabs. I should probably get them... Very Happy

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject:

I think you should give up on the RS and give it to me.

Very Happy

But then you would be 'TAFreak', which just sounds dirty. Squint