Rear freeze plug

Good afternoon everyone,

Much thanks to everyone who reads and participates here; it looks to be a most helpful forum. The root problem is that I have an antifreeze leak (Ford Explorer Sporttrac 1995). We've checked the hoses and water pump and both seem to be okay, so the cause remains unknown. Steam started coming out yesterday and my Dad says that the rear freeze plug needs to be replaced. It's behind the flywheel, which means the mechanic will have to take out the transmission, right?

Some people are saying yes, others are saying no. What's the truth behind this? Now - assuming that the transmission but be taken out, how long would this kind of job take in terms of man hours? That way I will have an idea of what the shop should be charging me. How detailed or difficult is this repair? I ask because I know someone who is a mechanic and I trust him. However, if this is something extraordinarily complicated that cannot be done in a driveway, I may be better off taking it to a shop where they can elevate the car.

Mixed metals, neglected coolant protection, a scratched galvanized freeze plug that rust.

I wonder, if a transmission shop is cheaper for the Fix?

How much is it leaking?
If not bad, I would consider metallic block seal 1st.

When I fill the radiator completely with coolant, it steadily drips out for 5 minutes or so, tapers off to a slow drip, and then doesn't appear to leak at all. However a few days later the coolant is gone, so it's definitely still leaking slowly over time.

A transmission shop is a great idea - thank you. Any idea how long it will take to do a job like this?

I would really consider Metallic Block seal for the price.
I have used it on a leaky freeze plug, and drove the car for years.
Make sure you read instructions- $40

Drain all coolant
flush with water
Fill with water
Add metallic block seal
Let engine run idle with high heat for ?
drain
Let set over night.
50/50 water/coolant mix

Is this a Sport Trac or a Sport? I didn't think they made the Sport Trac until 2001....

If a 1995 Sport, the block sealer may be a cost-effective alternative. If this is a newer Sport Trac, it's probably worth the money to fix it correctly. There's a chance that what makes the sealer effective at slowing/stopping the freeze plug leak will also make it effective at plugging the heater core. Fixing that and flushing the system of the sealer may cost more than fixing it right the first time.

-Rod

Rod thank you for catching that; that was a typo. It is indeed a 2005 Sport Trac. The mechanic has estimated the labor at $500 (5 hours.) This seems to make sense because in order to replace the freeze plug they're going to have to pull the transmission. I have spoken with numerous mechanics and all are of the opinion that the transmission must be pulled. This sounds reasonable to me...

Would you guys agree?

The amount of labor and cost associated with labor seems pretty reasonable if the transmission really has to be pulled and the problem really is with the freeze plug. It seems early for a freeze plug to leak though, unfortunately. No chance you got an extended warranty on this vehicle, is there?

-Rod

We would be supprised on how many shops use Blue devil sealent for $500 labor + 50cent freeze plug.
Who wants to chase coolant leaks?

After fix consider extended warrenty, or a new truck.

If the transmission go's bad, than replace with new freeze plugs.
Also your engine has more than one freeze plug to consider.

Rod,

Thanks for checking back. No extended warranty, unfortunately. I've checked a lot of places and prices are varying from $450 - $650. Most mechanics are billing their labor at 5 HRS. I will probably end up picking the $650 mechanic, as he is reputed for honest assessments and quality work. It will break me for a while, but it's better to get it done right the first time. Hope this post assists someone with a similar problem in the future.

When one fails, the others may soon follow, it may be better to pull the engine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouxbxE-BMNY

When done consider using the pink Antifreeze for better rust protection.
Toyota 2nd gen Pink is a super long life (5year/100k miles) Antifreeze!

I wounder what color (green, orange, red, or pink) has a better rust inhibitor?

Note - There was a dude who spend $3.5K for a Jaguar who had a bad freeze plug, working on one now using pink!