I have to change my freeze plug(s) in my 617. While I"m pretty sure how to do this, some of the Info I came across states you should use sealant around the hole before the new one is tapped in. Whats the thoughts of those of you who have done this or know such things. Thanks in advanced.

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2dieseljohn
1979 300sd (283,000+) Road Trips
1983 240D 4-speed (350,000+) Daily Driver
1967 E-TypeS1 in bits and pieces

yeah.. there is a sealant type glue, same or similar to that was originally put b/w the upper pan and the block to fill whtaever fine voids were left and in the case of the plugs.. adhesion.

I would do it for the plugs, however on the steel balls on the oil ducts it is also recommended, but I skipped that and it is just fine.

ps.. many would disagree w/ using RTV silicone, But i would use it in a pinch if I could not gather the porper info. Call a machine shop nearby for recommendations

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whtever happened with that differential??

you should close up your thread

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Thanks for your advice. As for the diff. -It won for now. I've been needing to do a follow up. I will post the conclusion on Sun as I'm off to work. Thanks for your help again. Have a Great and Productive Day
Regards

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2dieseljohn
1979 300sd (283,000+) Road Trips
1983 240D 4-speed (350,000+) Daily Driver
1967 E-TypeS1 in bits and pieces

Since the late 1960s I have used that old style brown hardening Permatext gasket sealer that comes in a tube and it is extremely reliable.
Whe RTV Silicone was commonly avaliable I used int on a water pump. 3 months later I found that the coolant had rusted a tiny channel under the Silicone. I removed the pump and cleaned everything off and used Non-hardening Permatext gasket sealer and it never leaked after that.
I have had 2 other situations whare I have had coolant system leaks when using silicone. What I have found is the for the Silicone Sealant to work the area must be clean, stay dry and be Degreased (I use brake cleaner). If not it will not stick completely. The nasty old thick brown Permatext is way more tolerant of a dirty enviorment and preform more reliably. The down side is that the old Permatext is a pain to remove when the time comes; takes scraping and wire brushing to get it completely off.

Besure to get some emery paper around 180 grit and use it to clean the sealing edges of the Plug holes in the bolck. Degrease the sanded area with brake cleaner and also the edges of sealing edges of the Freeze Plug before applying the sealant.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I have used Permatex No. 2 non-hardening sealer for freeze plugs and have never had one leak.