172 FF - Whats this Blanking cap for ?

[D1CKY]

I was checking my fluid levels today on my car and when i was checking my coolant.

This black cover/cap thing caught my eye on the right side of my engine block beside throttle body.

Does anyone know what its for ?

Or whats underneath it ?


I didn't want to try and remove it as i didn't know what it was for :S

 

[CHRISK172+]

I think thats a blanking plate for the cam housing.

 

[bmh.01]

Core plugs, take them off (don't or you'll need new ones!) and the ends of the cams are behind them. You take them out when you lock the cams when your changing the cambelt.

They won't come out easily you have to stick a screwdriver through them and prise them out and tap the new ones back in when you've finished. It needs to be an oil seal.

 

[AstoN]

I thought core plugs were pressed metal plugs in the block incase the water freezes so that the block doesn't crack...

 

[edde]

I thought core plugs were pressed metal plugs in the block incase the water freezes so that the block doesn't crack...

There just cam coveres realy depend what people call them there just to cover the cam ends.

 

[bmh.01]

Well there down in dialogys as core plugs so thats what I call them.

 

[edde]

Well there down in dialogys as core plugs so thats what I call them.

Yep doens't matter to much its like the TDC sensor there tones of names for it.

 

[ditz]

I thought core plugs were pressed metal plugs in the block incase the water freezes so that the block doesn't crack...

thats not the purpose of them, the block is cast in sand, and the holes left in the block are as a result of how the water gallerys etc are cast in to it.

 

[AstoN]

So when the water freezes and pushes the core plugs out, that doesn't stop the block cracking? Seems to be a reasonable and real world idea.

Two birds with one stone i say.

 

[bmh.01]

They've probably there for both reasons I'd imagine.

 

[D1CKY]

Ah ok cheers guys

That clears that one up

 

[D1CKY]

Just been thinking, my cambelt and accesorries belt has just been done.

Would i have lost oil at all when these plastic cam caps were removed ? :S