2001 Solara coolant leak - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

kaizer1911 · 10-11-2009, 02:03 PM

Hey guys I found out where the leak is coming from but don't know what the part is called an how to fix it.

Here are the pics

Frodo65 · 10-11-2009, 06:30 PM

That's a casting plug, also know as a 'freeze plug'. Fixing it involves removing the bolts, and replacing the gaskets. If you have issues with the casting being corroded where it's machined, or corrosion on the plug, then a new cover and RTV sealant are in order.

Cause of that sort of issue is generally corrosion in the cooling system, typically form not-frequent-enough coolant changes or wrong type of coolant.

***JohnGD*** · 10-11-2009, 09:58 PM

+1. that's a sign of a neglected cooling system, or one that has stray electrical current from bad ground straps causing electro-chemical degradation in the system.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frodo65

That's a casting plug, also know as a 'freeze plug'. Fixing it involves removing the bolts, and replacing the gaskets. If you have issues with the casting being corroded where it's machined, or corrosion on the plug, then a new cover and RTV sealant are in order.

Cause of that sort of issue is generally corrosion in the cooling system, typically form not-frequent-enough coolant changes or wrong type of coolant.

kaizer1911 · 10-12-2009, 04:19 AM

Thx for the help guys. This is my 1st car which i bought 2 months ago at 56,000 miles. Now that i know what its called i might try to fix it myself. I think its the gasket thats just gone bad and needs to be replaced. The leak is not that bad just a couple of drops a minute.

I would just like to know what will happen when i remove the two blots that are holding the freeze plug? will coolant rush out and is it easy to replace the gasket (remove the old one and just put a new one)?

Mike Gerber · 10-12-2009, 09:46 AM

Yes, coolant will rush out. Drain the cooling system before starting to work on this. Once removed, clean the area up well (both the block and the palte) with a gasket scrapper and then some fine sand paper. When clean, reisntall with a new gasket and then refill the cooling system with a 50/50 mix of 100% coolant and water. Then properly bleed the system of all air.

Mike