That damn plug in the front of the head.

**PhilipA** · 18th January 2015, 02:00 PM

I did some maintenance today , tightened the front bushes of the rear radius arms as I have a clunk somewhere. Just how are you supposed to tighten them to 170Ft Lbs? A- most torque wrenches don't go that high , and B- my arms don't go that high. I ended up with my new Ryobi 1/2 inch rattle gun. That fixed em. One of my under axle bushes has cracks in it but IMHO it can wait a while. None seem to be delaminated from the centre tube But the failure could be hidden by their design. If it still clunks I will know

I changed the rocker cover gasket as it was leaking out of the "half Moon" at the back, as I hadn't put gasket goo there before. Hell of a job getting the gasket exactly back in place. I ended up super gluing the little bolt tubes onto the new gasket to hold it in place. Worked a treat.

I was idly looking at the front of the head as there was evidence of an oil leak and the damn plug was loose again. I put a new genuine plug in 35Kk ago and the oring is already out of shape. So I fitted 2 of the biggest ALDI o rings in the groove and plastered gasket sealer all over it so it will hold until I get a new Oring. But what a crock 35KK!

Changed the air filter and no dust in the intake, but I hit the MAF with electronic cleaner anyway. Pulled out the MAP and it was very clean with just an oil film I am happy to say, but cleaned it anyway. I slathered Zinc Oxide grease around the surfaces of the air cleaner to seal the air filter although the RYCO made in UK one I had fitted really well.

A bit of grease into the unis, and a push pull , look check of the double Cardan joint, as well as a shot of grease into the lower ball joints through my home made boots and then a well earned rest.

So have a look at your front plug. They don't last very long and can screw your alternator if to far gone.
Regards Philip A

**Pippin** · 18th January 2015, 06:57 PM

My new front plug did not last long either, but I cured the problem by a few turns of thread tape over the 'o' ring part of the plug which worked a treat.
Nick

**Graeme** · 18th January 2015, 07:41 PM

Don't replace the plug, just put sealant on the o-ring and put it back as you have done.

**alien** · 18th January 2015, 07:46 PM

I found a way of using a standard torque wrench for the harmonic balancer a while ago.

This method could be applied to all of those high wrench settings.
You'll need a pen paper and the trusty tape measure to work it out.
Torque Conversions Charts

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 19th January 2015, 09:14 AM

Interesting Phillip,, I have a clunk somewhere back there,, only happens randomly and not when towing---
JC has stuck his head under and nothing obvious was wrong,,
I was thinking watts,, but now--

**PhilipA** · 19th January 2015, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

Interesting Phillip,, I have a clunk somewhere back there,, only happens randomly and not when towing---
JC has stuck his head under and nothing obvious was wrong,,
I was thinking watts,, but now--

My clunk was seemingly under the rear doors and only started on the RHS recently but on the LHS for a while.
Dso far the tighten up seems to have worked with a trip around the block.
Regards Philip A

**SiddersC** · 21st January 2015, 07:31 PM

Mine lasted around 12 months, was virtually rattling in the hole after that, I changed th o ring on the plug

**ramblingboy42** · 21st January 2015, 07:50 PM

which "front plug" are we talking about?

**BigJon** · 22nd January 2015, 06:43 AM

Big plastic circular one in the front of the head on a TD5 engine. With the acoustic cover off you can't miss it.

**PhilipA** · 22nd January 2015, 11:23 AM

I just ordered 5x Viton BA330 Orings from UK for $25 , so I should never run out. LOL.
Regards Philip A

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That damn plug in the front of the head.

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