1999 xj Freeze plugs
- Thread starter Dasquatch
- Start date
One of the secrets of installing new freeze plugs is getting the bore as clean as possible. Looking at my XJ I don't see enough room back there to do that. Actually you need a slide hammer to remove the old plug, that doesn't seem possible looking at mine. It sucks but removing the head might be the best approach.
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
Don't ask.... lol! While it is conceivable that you could change it without pulling the head, it will probably be a royal PITA!. You'll have to get the old one out. Maybe using a hammer and a punch while laying on top of an uncomfortable engine and working half blind. Then you will have to clean any and all rust or gunk from the sealing surface. And while installing a new freeze plug would be preferred, you could possibly get away with using an expanding "fix" plug to do the job. The real FP requires being driven in with a mallet and usually using a socket of the correct size. No room to swing the hemmer with the head installed so the fix plug may work. Its basically a rubber plug that fits in the hole and has a nut on it. You tighten the nut which compresses the plug sealing the hole. They work but are not really a permanent repair.
CherokeeScout
New member
I had the same problem with my 99 XJ about 7 years ago. I spent about $180 and two days taking the head off to fix it. Afterwords I "heard" that the local dealership has a special tool for that freeze plug and they charge $120 to repair it. I'm sure other dealer service departments would have the same tool. $60 cheaper to have someone else do it, sounds like a deal to me.