Hi,

Had a misfire on way home today. Pulled over and AA guy noticed the core plug had gone (in the centre of the spark plugs). Full of water, which he cleared and cleaned up, bit of WD40 and said it'd be enough to get me home as leak was small and should replace. I'm quite handy with mechanics/DIY but one things bugging me. What type of core plug does this engine take? ('54 1.4 ztec petrol). Ive heard conflicting stories about it being a normal cup one, an allen key head and hex head screw type. None o this makes sense to me. Help appreciated as I'm gunna have a g tomorrow. (P.s I cant have a look as I left it on my GF's drive and I'm back home now.

Hi,

Had a misfire on way home today. Pulled over and AA guy noticed the core plug had gone (in the centre of the spark plugs). Full of water, which he cleared and cleaned up, bit of WD40 and said it'd be enough to get me home as leak was small and should replace. I'm quite handy with mechanics/DIY but one things bugging me. What type of core plug does this engine take? ('54 1.4 ztec petrol). Ive heard conflicting stories about it being a normal cup one, an allen key head and hex head screw type. None o this makes sense to me. Help appreciated as I'm gunna have a g tomorrow. (P.s I cant have a look as I left it on my GF's drive and I'm back home now.

Has he core plug definitely gone?.. Or was the water a result of a leak from the washer jets? It looked asthough my core plug had failed but it turned out to be that :)

Hi, yes deffo the core plug, water was same colour as coolant.

Google says it's just the normal cup like core plugs

There r two different types of core plugs fitted. normal cup and if memory serves me correctly 14mm allen key screw plugs. Only ever seen 1 or 2 allen key plugs leak whereas the cup type rot out. My advice would be to order 4 as they r horrible to seal up and chance being if you have to take the back out you may elongate them. Best experince is locktight to seal them. Good luck

Had a leaky plug on a mk2 escort many years ago. Mechanic told me to araldite it, never had a leak after.

Right, update. I managed to bodge it a bit and get it back home but deffo leaking again. After cleaning it out and having a good look it's the allen key one that's gone as I can see the thread in the engine block. Trying to find this part has turned out to be practically impossible and I'm just thinking of doing a semi permanent bodge. I've been recommended 2 things, one, as above fill it with araldite, or two, use something such Evo-stik hard and fast metal epoxy. What do you guys think will hold best?

If you give me the reg il get the finis number for you

Is was the water coolant red because that plug well is like a little collection tray for the water that pours through the washer jets on the bonnet, seal the washer jets on the inside with silicone and keep your eye on the coolant level for a few hundred miles, the washer jets are a menace I brought the ones with the rubber seals and still had to seal them inside to stop them pouring water in:angry: