Thread: welch plug stag drying time ??

Originally Posted by haydent

hi, i've just changed over a few welch plugs (using stag as sealer) with the engine still in the car (bitch) of a job ... how long should i wait before using the car again... ?

the tube mentions nothing about this

thanks in advance

I've used stag and have driven straight away. I think as i'm answering this 4 hours after you posted, it would be ok to assume it is ok to use now.

firstly thanks for the reply, me missus will be happy to hear that the car will back on the road by tonight...

btw- i made the post first thing when i woke up, before i got the last one in (11am), since then ive just been putting back on what i had to remove to get access to the plugs and tilt the engine some to beable to hit the plugs in square:

1 engine mount, 1 gearbox/tc mount, 1 rubber suspension stop, air/lpg intake, starter motor, 1 exhaust manifold, the whole exhaust(its welded) ...

Try leaving the radiator cap on the first notch so the system doesn't. pressurise.

Deano

you mean loose ? for how long ?

Originally Posted by haydent

you mean loose ? for how long ?

Old trick. If you're worried about pressurising your cooling system for any reason you can leave the pressure cap loose so that the system doesn't pressurise. Very useful if you have a leaky or weak system as it allows you to drive without pressure in the cooling system.
In your case if you're worried about the pressure buildup forcing the stag out this will fix the problem whilst the stag sets. Put the cap back properly the next day.
I had radiator header tank problems with my troopy, left the cap loose for 3 weeks traveling the Kimberly and coming home. Just checked the water every morning. No problem. Fixed the radiator when I got home.
Don't know if you can do this on systems that run 20psi or so as they probably rely on this pressure to work at all.

Deano

you can rely on the cracking the pressure cap on any system.

you just cant push it as hard.

unlike the days of old where op temps were generally maxed out at <100 and 100+ was cooking it new ones run a lot hotter and have acceptable limits over 100. If you drive smart you can drive with the cooling system depressureised.

If you're going to do it you need a real temp gauge on there or frequent stops to monitor the coolant level.

Oh yeah on the edit, the stag has set now.