Frost Plug Heater Installation Question

[Iplayfarmer]

I got my frost plug installed. Now there's one problem...

It leaks!

I took everything apart again down to the frost plug and loosened the bolt and moved it around again to make sure it was in place. I tightened it back up and the leak seemed to stop. Then after I started the tractor it leaked again.

So here are my questions...

After a frost plug heater is installed, is it a bad idea to take it back out again to look at it? I don't know if the wings inside will bend back the right way or what.

Is RTV a bad idea in an application like this?

I'm pretty sure that I got the right size. I measured it four different ways and came up with 1 9/16" or 40 mm every time. It was a pretty tight fit getting it in too. I put clean antifreeze on the O-ring before I installed it.

What could have gone wrong? What can I do to fix it?

 

[PineRidge]

The o-ring actually makes the seal. the heater should fit snug in the hole and you need to lubricate it before you push it home. I would recheck the o-ring to see if it might have been damaged if it is still leaking.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Pictures!
Bob

 

[djradz]

Rather than lubricating the o-ring, I used the Super-Blue automotive silicone sealant. The stuff seals anything except gasoline yet I've found it reasonably easy to remove when needed. 5 years and no leaks!

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here are the pics.

I still haven't taken anything apart yet. I decided to pull the tractor into the garage to make it easier to work on. I had to clean the garage before I could pull it in.

Hopefully today after I get off work I can get back into it.

 

[scott_vt]

Just out of curiousity, did you use some light emery paper on the inside of the hole before installing the plug ? There could possibly be some crud or a small amount of rust that is causing that weeping condition.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Just out of curiousity, did you use some light emery paper on the inside of the hole before installing the plug ? There could possibly be some crud or a small amount of rust that is causing that weeping condition.

I wiped it out with a rag, but I didn't use any kind of abrasive. Thanks for the advice. I'll do that on this second go 'round.

 

[PineRidge]

If you have to take it apart again it might not be a bad idea to use a bit of emery cloth & some of the Super-Blue automotive silicone sealant like the others suggested.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

If there's no harm in using the blue sealant, I might just loosen it up and put the sealant just inside the lip of the block heater. If I don't have to completely remove it, I don't want to.

 

[PineRidge]

You can try that but if it's already wet with anti-freeze I wonder if the sealant will stick correctly.