How much of a job?

Question

'91 Camaro w/V6Owner claims a freeze-plug rusted out in the rear of the block and isleaking. I'm not familar with the V6.  Apparently this plug is at theback of the block, not on the sides.   Other than this problem, car isin good shape and he's kept it clean.  The 'rusted out' part bothers mesince that shouldn't ever happen with proper coolant protection.Anyways, the price is right and I'm asking how difficult is it toreplace that freeze-plug?  This might be a good car for mygranddaughter.  Thanks for any advice....Dave S(Texas)

Shep · Accepted Answer

Sounds like it is between the trans and the rear of the block, trans must come out. Look at the others could be   close to the same condition, BTW, the fact it has coolant in it does not protect agaist rust and corrosion unless it was flushed every 3 years, this is a 16 year old car.

Eugene · Answer

Coolant protection can't protect the outside of the freeze plug, theyusually rust from the outside in.

hls · Answer

Good advice, Shep.Replacing  the Welch plug isnt a problem...getting to it is a problem.And your point on coolant is right on.Sometimes even if you replace the coolant regularly, you will get corrosion.If the system is leaky, sucks in air upon cooling, etc  no corrosion inhibitorpackage in the world can offset such contamination.I had a friend who had a leaking plug on an old 60 Chevy Impala ina similar location.  He put in some sodium silicate (water glass) and gotit to stop leaking for a year or so.  It is a lame solution, but sometimesa solution like this can buy you the time you need.

Roy · Answer

How do you figure that??

Eugene · Answer

All the ones I've had to replace did.

hls · Answer

None of the ones I have replaced EVER failed from the outside in.  It was alway inside out.

Shep · Answer

Agreed.

Roy · Answer

Yup, inside out for me as well.

Michael Pardee · Answer

Count me in - inside out.

Eugene · Answer

Must be due to me living in the rust belt.  You don't get the choice to notchange your coolant as something rusts out every couple years.

How much of a job?

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