97 Camry: block heater leak ???

[dave52]

97 Camry 4 cylinder. Noticed puddle of coolant. The hoses are fairly new and no leaks there or clamps. Noticed a slight puddle on the block heater hardware that screws into the block. This is the heater you plug in during winter months. I'm wondering if anyone has seen this and how hard it is to replace? I've never used this heater and can I just buy some kind of plug? It's a 1997 Camry I've had since new with 225K; runs great and everything still works. Worried about the plug being "frozen" with age and heat.

Thanks
Dave

[AlmightyCamry777]

Yes you ought to be able to buy a plug.
if it is your only transport i'd find out what kind of hole you are dealing with first before you yank out the old block heater. It depends on where and how the heater goes into the engine, you need to know if it is a threaded hole or whether it is the unthreaded hole for one of the freeze plugs. If you can find a duplicate of the type of block heater that is in there now, on the internet maybe, that might be helpful to look at.

One thing you need to do, soak the area good with a penetrant solvent like spray liquid wrench, starting soonest. The longer the penetrant has to soak the better, a week is not too long, overnight is about the minimum time.

[dave52]

Thanks for the insight: called auto parts and they said to bring the old one in and they're sure they can match it up w/o the block heater which is good; don't want it. I'll take your advice and put some penetrating oil on it for a few days. Won't be able to look at 'til next week but I'll soak it right away. Thanks for the tip. Auto parts store was pretty sure they're press fitted: there's a large flat head screw in the middle. Regardless, with Toyota wanting around $200 with antifreeze I'll try this myself. Auto parts store said the plug is about a dollar and I have some new antifreeze already.

Thanks
Dave