Cam plug popped out

kmagg · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:10 pm **Posts:** 13

I had the passenger side rear cam plug pop out on my engine. Oil everywhere. It has the press-in type, wish it was threaded. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions to prevent it again? I did a ton of work to this engine recently. Had it down to the short block. Sent the head to the machine shop for new exhaust valves and valve job. ARP studs. The works. Anyway, I've put over 1000 miles on it before this happened. I replaced the cam plugs after cleaning the cam cover and installing new cams. Maybe I should have "glued" them in with some Rite Stuff or silicone? The old ones didn't seem to be held in with any sealer or anything. Just curious if anybody else experienced this.

TKB4 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 30, 2019 8:53 pm

I haven't heard of this happening or seen any posts about it in the last 3 or 4 years at least.
You could look in the factory service manual if you haven't already to see what it recommends. I am sure others will comment on what the FSM says or post it. Its a real bummer to put all that time and money in then have something like that happen and I speak from experience.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:04 pm

I also have never heard of this.

I installed mine clean and dry. No leaks, no movement.

I suggest checking your CCV "puck" that it's causing/allowing no backpressure, and the hose to the turbo intake is not pinched off, or that it's not equipped with an "elephant hose" mod.

I doubt there would be any problem if it is installed with a thin coat of silicone, as long as all surfaces are completely clean of oil.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Apr 30, 2019 10:31 pm

In your case, after thoroughly cleaning and drying the area with some brake cleaner, I would install a new cam plug with some red thread locker to be on the safe side.
Those types of plugs should never pop out as they were only used for line boring and should have very little oil pressure against them.

kmagg · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:10 pm **Posts:** 13

GordnadoCRD, no EHM mod. I have a Provent on this engine along with a brand new CCV puck. None of the hoses seemed pinched or kinked. That's one of the first things I checked. The drivers side cam plug is still there and seated.

WWDiesel, my plan is to do what you said. Clean the cam cover with Brakleen and glue the plug in the cover. Seems to be enough room by the firewall to push it in. Definitely don't want to pull the cam cover again!

TKB4 · **Posted:** Wed May 01, 2019 8:58 am

sounds like a good plan to me !

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed May 01, 2019 1:08 pm

kmagg wrote:

GordnadoCRD, no EHM mod. I have a Provent on this engine along with a brand new CCV puck. None of the hoses seemed pinched or kinked. That's one of the first things I checked. The drivers side cam plug is still there and seated.

WWDiesel, my plan is to do what you said. Clean the cam cover with Brakleen and glue the plug in the cover. Seems to be enough room by the firewall to push it in. Definitely don't want to pull the cam cover again!

Be sure and use a adhesive like red Loctite that is not affected by oil after it drys and will adhere to both types of metal i.e steel & aluminum... and will dry and harden even in the absence of air between the mating surfaces..
Best of luck on your repair. Keep us posted as to outcome.

Loctite Guide: wrote:

https://dm.henkel-dam.com/is/content/he ... %203355pdf

kmagg · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:10 pm **Posts:** 13

WWDiesel wrote:

Be sure and use a adhesive like red Loctite that is not affected by oil after it drys and will adhere to both types of metal i.e steel & aluminum... and will dry and harden even in the absence of air between the mating surfaces..
Best of luck on your repair. Keep us posted as to outcome.

Loctite Guide: wrote:

https://dm.henkel-dam.com/is/content/he ... %203355pdf

When you say red Loctite, do you mean the product for threads? Or are you talking about an anaerobic type sealant? Just want to make sure I'm looking at the right product. Loctite makes so many different things.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed May 01, 2019 11:25 pm

kmagg wrote:

WWDiesel wrote:

Be sure and use a adhesive like red Loctite that is not affected by oil after it drys and will adhere to both types of metal i.e steel & aluminum... and will dry and harden even in the absence of air between the mating surfaces..
Best of luck on your repair. Keep us posted as to outcome.

Loctite Guide: wrote:

https://dm.henkel-dam.com/is/content/he ... %203355pdf

When you say red Loctite, do you mean the product for threads? Or are you talking about an anaerobic type sealant? Just want to make sure I'm looking at the right product. Loctite makes so many different things.

Any of the Anaerobic type adhesives designed for metal to metal bonding. A high strength anaerobic type sealer like one of the following could be used....
https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/ ... ounds.html

kmagg · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:10 pm **Posts:** 13

WWDiesel wrote:

Any of the Anaerobic type adhesives designed for metal to metal bonding. A high strength anaerobic type sealer like one of the following could be used....
https://www.henkel-adhesives.com/us/en/ ... ounds.html

This isn't metal to metal. Maybe you're thinking of a regular steel freeze plug? This is the rubber coated plug like this:

https://www.idparts.com/camshaft-plug-p ... -5221.html

So, it would have to bond rubber to aluminum. That's why I was thinking more along the lines of a silicone type product.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2019 10:44 am

kmagg wrote:

This isn't metal to metal. Maybe you're thinking of a regular steel freeze plug? This is the rubber coated plug like this:
https://www.idparts.com/camshaft-plug-p ... -5221.html
So, it would have to bond rubber to aluminum. That's why I was thinking more along the lines of a silicone type product.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about a steel plug.
High temp silicone would be ok.

kmagg · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:10 pm **Posts:** 13

WWDiesel wrote:

Sorry, I thought you were talking about a steel plug.
High temp silicone would be ok.

No problem. I appreciate your input.

kmagg · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2018 8:10 pm **Posts:** 13

Got the new cam plug from idparts and installed it with Permatex rite-stuff around the outer perimeter of the seal. I also smeared some rite-stuff around the edges of the LH cam plug that was still installed in the cam cover as a little hopeful prevention! I decided to let it sit for a day after installation to allow the rite-stuff to set and try starting her tomorrow and test drive. Fortunately, the engine was only about a quart low, so probably no harm done. I will update results good or bad.

I ended up buying two extra cam plugs in the hopes that if I have them on hand, I will never need them!!

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Mon May 06, 2019 11:09 pm

kmagg wrote:

I ended up buying two extra cam plugs in the hopes that if I have them on hand, I will never need them!!

Unfortunately that's often the way it works. As a locksmith it often seemed the fastest way for a customer to find their keys is to have a new set made. Usually with a few hours of having a new set made they would find their old ones. Sometimes while I was still finishing the job they would find them.

Cam plug popped out

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