Jury is still out somewhat on the best method for repairing the plugs. Second opinion shop said it looks like whoever replaced this freeze plug last might have jacked up the bore hole a little bit. The last person to touch the plugs was the dealer that sold it to me, but for all I know they were trying to fix a problem that was already there (clearly the plug must have been leaking, but who knows when the bore hole damage might have come about). Now I'm worried if I authorize a repair attempt on the plug while it is in the truck that it has the potential to go downhill real fast towards pulling the engine for sure.
The freeze plug issues I'm having also has me a little concerned about the prior maintenance of the cooling system and possible impact on the health and longevity of the engine.
The antifreeze has always been bright and green every since I've had it and still is when you look in the radiator, the reservoir, or catch the leaks (although the leaking fluid has recently become a bit more brown-tinged than it was at first, but not by much and I wonder if that has to do with the GM cooling tabs that I put in it). There is a bit of a brown substance high on the sides of the reservoir but nothing in the bottom or in the actual coolant, so I don't know if that that indicates for sure that my block is sludged. Besides, it could be just good ol' fashioned dirt because I've noticed my tank cap doesn't seem to want to stay snapped onto the tank.
So...let's say a guy was eventually faced with no choice but to pull his engine (if he intends to keep and drive the truck long-term) and finds that the plug holes may need to be bored oversize.
Let's also assume the worst and figure that the shop finds sludge in the block from acidic coolant. Is there a way to flush/repair that? Am I better off looking at a replacement block and having to "rebuild" the engine? FWIW, the engine shows no clear signs of issues as far as how it runs, but I know that doesn't always tell the whole story.
Also, what upgrades or maintenance items are reasonable to tackle for a daily driver while the engine is out? Aside from the obvious like oil pan gasket (and maybe a pan), intake manifold gaskets, etc. This could include light performance mods but mostly I'm talking about replace/upgrade of stock components or services that make sense to perform on the engine that are more easily done with it out of the truck.
I realize that kind of "while we're here" thinking can result in going down quite the rabbit hole, but if it is something that makes sense to do while the engine is out I'm probably going to go ahead and look at doing it....IF the engine has to eventually come out to properly fix this freeze plug problem.
As of now, I have decline further service on the truck while I gather info to weigh my options.
