Leaking "Freeze Plug" ?

[celtglen]

Hello,

I have oil that is seeping (tho not too much) from what I *think* is one of the freeze plugs on my 3AC. Looking at the side of the engine, just to the left of the distributor, there are two LARGE ROUND indentations--same on the opposite side of the engine.

I spied an oil grunge build up, wiped it clean and it got oil grugy again with out much engine effort.

1. is this a freeze plug

2. will I have to dismantle the engine to replace it

3. since there is no oil LEAKing out from this..not much anyway..do I need to worry or what>>

thanks
CG

[Tercel__jon]

Those indentations are in fact freeze plugs, you are right.
Freeze plugs are for coolant. If you dont have enough anti freeze in your coolant, the water will freeze and pop out the freeze plug instead of destroying your block. At least thats the theory. Its also a way for the manufacturer to remove all the casting sand from the manufacturing process.

As for your oil leak its either the O ring on the distributor or the valve cover gasket. Mines the same way and I need to replace my valve cover gasket.

[Petros]

No oil comes from behind the freeze plugs, so it is leaking from above that point. most likley is the o-ring in the distributor. If it is not a bad leak you can ignore it and 1) just regularly check your oil level, and 2) never park anywhere that a drop or two of oil will matter (some people get upset if you drip in their driveway).

Both valve cover or distributor 0-ring area easy fixes. On your valve cover gasket you can remove it, clean it off and just put some permatex on it. Gasket for it is like $15. and unless it is damaged you can usually reuse it with sealant. O-ring is less than $1.00 but you need to reset the timing and it is a bit more work to replace. and get the car running.

[celtglen]

Thanks to all...

The leak-seep is the freeze plug for sure. I cleaned the area very deeply and that oil grunge seep is the oil accumulation built up over 310K miles! After I cleaned the area real well the seep is from the coolant..

Good news is that this repair is SUPER easy..the plugs were all of 6 bucks each at the Toyo Dealership; since one is leaking I decided to replace both plugs.

The distributor ring isn't leaking but I am replacing the whole unit this week so that will be replaced as well...thanks!

I forgot to enable the reply notification segment, so again, sorry for posting my question twice... I have ADD which is a b*tch to live with