Leaking Radiator Fluid

[Travkay]

I have a 2017 Mahindra E25. My water pump has been leaking for a bit now and I have one on order. So up till now I have just been filling the tank with water before I use it and it would get me a few hours of use before getting too hot. I was using it the ither night and it got hot on me and shut down. I tried to add more water in the radiator and it started leaking out the left side of the lower part of the engine out of an opening there. I pulled it back and parked it for the last week. Today I went out to check and see if the water would flow out of it again when I put it in the radiator and it just runs right out. I have attached pictures to show where it is coming from.

Did I do some major damage to my tractor or is this something that can be fixed relatively easily? I will admit that I am not good at mechanics and will take it to a shop most likely. Just wondering if I can get some feedback on what I'm in for.

 

[rdinatal]

Is that where a freeze plug was?

 

[Rebeldad1]

maybe you could have had it fixed on warranty if you took it in sooner? pictures dont really show anything. adding just water isnt really a good choice for any engine. antifreeze is also a lube for water pumps and anti corrosive.
best to tear it down in the leak area until you get to the leak. that will answer your question. After the fix(s) depending on how long you have been running water only, there may be more to come.

 

[ptsg]

maybe you could have had it fixed on warranty if you took it in sooner? pictures dont really show anything. adding just water isnt really a good choice for any engine. antifreeze is also a lube for water pumps and anti corrosive.
best to tear it down in the leak area until you get to the leak. that will answer your question. After the fix(s) depending on how long you have been running water only, there may be more to come.

The pictures shows either freeze plug or a block heater missing.

 

[Travkay]

Is that where a freeze plug was?

I think you might be right. Perfect circle on the block.

 

[Travkay]

maybe you could have had it fixed on warranty if you took it in sooner? pictures dont really show anything. adding just water isnt really a good choice for any engine. antifreeze is also a lube for water pumps and anti corrosive.
best to tear it down in the leak area until you get to the leak. that will answer your question. After the fix(s) depending on how long you have been running water only, there may be more to come.

My warranty expired in March of this year unfortunately. I agree I need to get antifreeze in there.

 

[denchen]

I thought that looks like a core plug behind the starter.

 

[Patches]

Easy fix once you remove the starter

 

[ruffdog]

Coolant level was probably way low and the engine was very hot, then a shot of water turned to steam and pressure blasted out the core plug. If all it needs is a plug and coolant you got very lucky.

 

[RustyA]

When you remove the starter to replace the blown out frost plug you have two choices...replace the plug with an engine block heater of the same size, or install a new frost plug. Have some liquid brush on Teflon pipe sealer and coat the outside surface of frost plug it will ease installation. A chunk of wood dowel the same size as the inside diameter of the plug will be a handy tool to tap it into place with Teflon as lube. Let it cure before adding antifreeze either prediluted or mixed with distilled water. Do not use tap water to dilute it.

 

[Travkay]

When you remove the starter to replace the blown out frost plug you have two choices...replace the plug with an engine block heater of the same size, or install a new frost plug. Have some liquid brush on Teflon pipe sealer and coat the outside surface of frost plug it will ease installation. A chunk of wood dowel the same size as the inside diameter of the plug will be a handy tool to tap it into place with Teflon as lube. Let it cure before adding antifreeze either prediluted or mixed with distilled water. Do not use tap water to dilute it.

Awesome. Thanks.

 

[Travkay]

Coolant level was probably way low and the engine was very hot, then a shot of water turned to steam and pressure blasted out the core plug. If all it needs is a plug and coolant you got very lucky.

I think you nailed exactly what I did. Coolant was low, engine was hot, added fluid, popped it out.

 

[Travkay]

When you remove the starter to replace the blown out frost plug you have two choices...replace the plug with an engine block heater of the same size, or install a new frost plug. Have some liquid brush on Teflon pipe sealer and coat the outside surface of frost plug it will ease installation. A chunk of wood dowel the same size as the inside diameter of the plug will be a handy tool to tap it into place with Teflon as lube. Let it cure before adding antifreeze either prediluted or mixed with distilled water. Do not use tap water to dilute it.

Are frost plugs universal? Or do I have to find a specific size? Would these work if Amazon?

Amazon.com

 

[Cycledude]

I highly recommend using only premixed antifreeze, eliminates any worry about weather it was properly mixed and it’s really not much extra money

 

[Patches]

Are frost plugs universal? Or do I have to find a specific size? Would these work if Amazon?

Amazon.com

I would go with the mahindra or possibly napa, who has an extensive catalog of tractor/industrial equipment part interchange. I don't believe there are many sizes of block plugs, but you definitely want the appropriate size

 

[denchen]

Is it possible to take a closer up picture of the core plug. Plus I stand to be corrected, but some on here are referring to it as a frost plug. These core plugs are fitted as they are needed to remove the water jacket casting mould when the engines are made. If you rely on them to let pressure go should the coolant freeze, there is a good chance the frost will bust the whole block. If the core plug has pushed out a little it is easy to simply measure across to get the size. A lot of engine shops carry a stock of various sizes, and they are not very expensive. Get the old one out, clean up the hole and get rid of all the crud. You can add a drop of a sealant of your choice, I used to used gasket sealant and find a piece of wood and gently tap in with a hammer. Or find a big hammer that fits the plug and use another hammer to tap the big hammer. It's a straight forward job once the battery terminal is off and the starter out of the way.