To show far much the “freeze plug” myth has gained acceptance , here’s a quote from a “big box” auto parts store.

“Freeze Plugs are ingeniously design to pop out if your coolant freezes up and threatens to crack your block.”

 

So, who’s going to try it and let us know?

 

Tom

www.towercooler.com

 

 

From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 7:42 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Freeze Plugs was Oops - I let the engine freeze

 

---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
> never had the problem myself.
> 50-50 mixture is so easy to have in there.
> For most people if it's even 'sorta close' it's adequate.
>
> and since it should be in there year-round ..
> it sure 'should' be in all cars, no excuse not too really.

Well, the original poster's engine or other components likely did not freeze, but the engine probably experienced the too frequent leaking from the heads in cold weather that our vans are known for.  But, he reported that the temperature was -25 F.  Slightly too dilute a mixture, and microclimate variability in temperature, and freezing could be a possibility for any vehicle.  If I lived in a climate where -25 was a possibility, I'd run Canadian mix rather than U.S.  At least I think I would.  Back when I was a kid, in Dallas, in my family we ran 50:50 at a time when it was not yet the common recommendation.  Some folks still ran denatured alcohol in car engines in winter at that time, and others drained the radiator and block on cold nights.  I knew more than one person whose car block froze.  My father thought that was simple carelessness, and we ran 50:50 ethylene glycol.

mcneely 

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