Help with Freeze/Frost Plug - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

phenixphyre · 08-30-2011, 12:10 AM

I recently got my hands on a 1990 Camry that has a leaking freeze/frost plug on the rear of the engine on the passenger's side. But the thing is that I have no idea where the freeze/frost plug is and how to get to it.

Any help with this would awesome. If anyone has or knows where there are pics of the plug, I will forever be in their debt.

holmesnmanny · 08-30-2011, 02:16 AM

You're going to want to actually post exactly what kind of car you have.

Dave's · 08-30-2011, 02:34 AM

Don't know where it is but once you locate it this might help. Had a friend who lost one only an inch or two from the firewall. Shops wanted $$$ to pull the head off to replace it. (This one was on the back of the head.) I punched a screwdriver thru it and pried it out. (You may have to use some sort of block to provide leverage.) Bought a replacement and a rubber body plug. Had to roll down the carpet etc. to get to the firewall metal. Using the dimples, hoses and wires I found the correct spot to drill a 3/8" or maybe 1/2" hole (whatever the body plug was). Used my fingers to set the freeze plug in place from engine compartment and then used a punch and hammer to seat it thru the hole. Once it was in, just inserted the body plug, put the carpet etc. back in place and he was good to go. About $5. Good luck.

phenixphyre · 08-30-2011, 06:13 AM

I guess knowing what kind of engine it has would help with this! LOL It has the 2.0L 4 cylinder engine.

Dave, I really hope that I dont have to do all of that to replace the frost plug. But if I have to do that then, thats what I will have to do.

Thanks to both of you for your replies!

white90dx · 08-30-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenixphyre

I guess knowing what kind of engine it has would help with this! LOL It has the 2.0L 4 cylinder engine.

Dave, I really hope that I dont have to do all of that to replace the frost plug. But if I have to do that then, thats what I will have to do.

Thanks to both of you for your replies!

There are multiple freeze plugs on the front and back of the motor. You will have to look to see which one it is to order the replacement part. The engine block is cast iron, but the plugs are coated steel. They look kinda like a metal version of the plastic end caps you would have on a poster tube (~2" diameter with a lip around it). Pop the old one out with whatever means you have (one was mentioned above, you can also use a self tapping sheet metal screw to get leverage), tap the new one in with a bit of sealant around it.

-Charlie

phenixphyre · 08-30-2011, 11:23 AM

Any tips on how to get access to the frost plugs on the back of the engine? Probably have to access them from under the car?

white90dx · 08-30-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phenixphyre

Any tips on how to get access to the frost plugs on the back of the engine? Probably have to access them from under the car?

Yup, under the car. I don't know what you will have to remove (if anything) to get to the leaky one until you know which one it is. Crawl under there and see!

-Charlie