A friend was driving the Miata last night and it started fish tailing on her on a highway exit ramp then the temperature started climbing fast so she shut it off and coasted it into a parking lot. I got it towed back last night and took a look this evening to find the freeze plug missing. I'm wondering if I installed it improperly or got the wrong size or is this a common thing (I would hope not)?

It was a 30mm plug for the front water neck. I used black gasket sealant on the inner edge and tapped it in with a flat tip screw driver and hammer keeping it even along the perimeter. The edge of the freeze plug sat flush with the edge of the hole. Is it supposed to be sunken in further?

Should I just replace it with another, get one of those adjustable ones, or buy a block off plate from Begi just up the road and be done with it?

Mine installed 2 months ago...


Photo from tonight of the aftermath...

 

It's supposed to be counter-sunk.

 

Nicely done, Chris...

I'll just get another and install it right this time. Thanks Hustler.

 

Mine started slowly popping out last week...I put a plate over it to make me feel good.... hate freeze plugs.

 

guess I'm glad I used a plate and freeze plug.

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't that bore larger than 30mm, like 31 or 32?

 

parts index says 1.18"

the 30mm plug I used crushed in quite a bit to fit. I used a socket to drive it in and had trouble removing [the socket] as I used one that was too large of a diameter.

 

Yep. The plug I got was 30.25mm. Part # 362759 at AdvanceAutoParts

I tried using a socket when installing mine but one side would always be popping out so I ended up using a screwdriver and hammer and just tapping it in evenly.

 

I lost one a couple years ago. Tried 2 from NAPA that were supposedly the right size, and they wouldn't go in properly. Got one from the stealership and it popped right in, nice and flush.

 

I went to a plate to just not have to fight the plug. Few minutes cutting a piece of scrap aluminum to length, then drill two holes and done.

 

If this next freeze plug pops out for whatever reason I'll switch to a plate.

 

Do you guys want to see a pic of my 30mm bung?

 

You been throwing golf ***** down a hallway again?

 

I ordered an OE mazda one.... Only made it 2 months huh? I drove mine in like any other freeze plug, did it dry. I had a 'near' overheat a week ago that resulted in my radiator exploding (3" crack in the top), so I'm thinking that since the plug survived that I'm surely ok.

 

Install the next one with Indian Head Shellac.
http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...c_Compound.htm

 

A cover plate over the freeze plug is standard for any car we touch there. Not using a cover plate is asking for trouble - I've seen several cars blow that plug out.

 

Make one and send it to me with two bolts, and I need it by next weekend. I'm not ******* around, this is a serious order request, ******. Make me a paypal invoice.

 

I was riding along in a track car when it blew out the plug going up to turn 2 at infineon. The windshield was covered in 200+ degree water and generally was not a pleasant experience. A plate and, I think, a new plug solved the problem. A plate is a good investment.

 

Cool, a friend who works on motors told me to use Permatex No.1 (the hard-setting sealant) instead of the No. 2 (soft-setting) that I used previously.

http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut..._1_Sealant.htm

 

I used Ultra Grey and a plate.


had no idea these things were blowing out on people.