So, I was looking under my car today as I am often likely to do and I saw a drip of green Koolaide coming from the driver side of the engine... Right above the Mount. I was able to see the forward freeze plug appears dry, but could not see the rear one. I am thinking this rear plug is the likely source of the leak, based on the drips I saw. Has anyone replaced this left rear plug with the engine in the car? I am thinking I can put the car on stands, and then jack up the front lip the oil pan with a block of wood, and release the left engine mount. I wonder if this will allow me enough room to turn the plug and yank it, and install a new one? Thanks in advance for your suggestion, ideas and help.
be prepared for truly one of the most glamorous projects on the car ownership spectrum . greasy bandaids , swearing , junk dripping on your face and then praying it does not leak when ya get all done . it's only fun when the motor is out of the car .
After Del's above description I couldn't resist going after this. I am working on the drivers side first, as that's where there is a leak. So far I have the car up on blocks in the driveway (wife does not love this) and I have decided that the exhaust manifold will need to come off (to get at the back freeze plug). I have been patiently working on this with a six sided box wrench and a hammer. I have a 1/2" breaker bar with a 6 sided socket also, but I think it will be too easy break something. I have 4 of the 7 bolts seemingly free, and the other 3 have budged, but aren't free yet. I have been wiggling those and trying to get PB blaster on them... Hoping to get them all out without breaking any, at which point there is no more chance of doing this in the car. If I succeed at this, then the engine mount will be next... So far, no great bandaids, and only a couple off small bits of yuck in the face...
Here comes the ‘while I’m in here...’ Soon you’ll be searching the forum for ‘best body mounts’, ‘correct paint for the frame’ and ‘all the clips for the fuel and brake lines’! Patrick
Your in the driveway... This time of year. AH time of year don't mater It allways The rainy season here in Washington.. Your NUTZ. My buick is the last car to get worked on of fixed in a unheated garage... GOOD luck.... It really would be much easier to pull the motor....
I am certainly well aware of how much easier it would be having spent some of the last three days fighting with this. Unfortunately, I have no where to put the engine that is high and dry and clean enough to work on it. If I break a exhaust bolt, I will have to figure something out...
Lol, & take the front end sheetmetal off & redo the engine compartment. Makes pulling the engine so much easier.
Good point, glad you brought that up May as well leave the trans attached and pull that also, the rebuild that or replace with a killer 6 speed! Well if yah do that, may as well swap the rear gear for 4.56
Now you're thinkin'. Plus those body bushings are surely worn out & then you can get to those old brake & fuel lines.
My Gs cam from the factory with a block heater. A couple of years ago, I have the engine out to replace seals & gaskets, rear main gasket, a rear cam plug. The engine sat on the stand for several days. Never thought to remove the old block heater. Engine back in the car, road tested. I see a leak. Guess from where? The block heater as the old seal had dried and leaked. It was a pain in the ass trying to install a new frost plug as there was very little room to maneuver, but I got it. Word to the wise - r/r the block heater when the engine is out of the car.
This all started because of some antifreeze seepage that could just as well have been the head gasket? And now I guess the front end of the car looks like a bomb went off. Too bad about that, when re-torquing the heads and a bottle of sealant might have done the trick. But hey, long as it's apart... maybe new body cushions too, and then sandblast and epoxy paint the frame, and...
Max.... Is the cap leaking or is it drip???? Hopefully your not to far into the miserable project.... If you have NO broken bolts.. I would assemble back to before you put it on the ramps... try http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574933636&toolid=10001&campid=5336728181&customid=&mpre=https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-GM-ACDelco-Coolant-System-Sealing-Tabs-12378255-/282234411563. Even if its leaking... Give these a try first..... I keep a package pined on the wall in plain sight.... Out of sight out of mind... Put 2 tabs in a freezer bag or double bag. Bust them up wit a hammer.. Repeat 4 tabs is what I used last time needed when the water pump gasket sprung a leek....