Water leak from core plug

[paulbell6]

Gentlemen if I could trouble you for even more help please!
Having filled my newly rebuilt engine with water for the first time, I have noticed a small leak from the core plug in the centre of the left hand cylinder head. To view the problem I have removed the exhaust manifold which gives reasonable access for viewing and limited room for remedial work.
using a socket and hammer I have tried to tap the plug further into the hole and it has moved but the leak has not stopped. The plug is a long way into the hole and I suspect that it has bottomed out in the casting, thus making it tricky and perhaps impossible to get out with the engine in the car.
i could take the cylinder head off to tackle the problem but I would like to try and solve the problem with it still attached.
i did wonder if I could try and fit another plug over the top of the existing one and somehow generate a seal with some type of sealant, but at the moment I have not considered all of the pitfalls, or indeed investigated types of sealants that are available or suitable.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can effect a repair or do I just bite the bullet and take the head off and do it properly.

Many thanks in advance


Paul - one seriously cheesed off Stag owner

[marshman]

Hi Paul,

You can replace all ther core plugs in situ without removing anything other than the spark plugs. Look at this thread from a few years back - messages 21 to 25 have pics showing how its done. Use a small short cold chisel to tap the core plug at the edge to tip it over then pull out with pliers. To replace use a crowbar and suitable bolt as shown. Use plenty of sealant around the edge of the core plug before replacing.

http://www.stag.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?4640-So-near-yet-so-far/page3&highlight=core+plugs

good luck

Roger

[paulbell6]

Thanks for that Roger, very encouraging. - I need as much of that as I can get at the moment! Who'd be a Stag owner?

Regards. Paul

[elvimto]

Paul,
I had a bit of bother when I did my plugs one of them did have a small leak and I could not see removal,i gave it a bit of time and watched it carefully it stopped without adding any stop leak etc to the system. I did find out that they make tools for core plug removal and installation on the car only after the fact. Give it a week or two.

cheers Stuart

[paulbell6]

Hi Stuart, my engine is not running so not even under any pressure yet, and the leak filled a 1 litre (approx 2 pints in your currency) over night. I am now trying to remove the plug and have manage to puncture it so it's do or die at the moment. Watch this space for the sale of a nearly completed Stag in the near future. To coin an old Falconry term I am almost at the end of my tether.

Thanks

Paul