Leaking freeze plug?

[billyboy128]

95 Chev Cavalier 2.2l OHV vin 4 121,000 miles.

I just had the headgasket replaced on my Cavalier at the dealers. I've noticed small tiny mositure on the ground when the engine is sitting and cooling down. I checked and Now I've noticed antifreeze leaking down from around the oil pan area. Do these cars have freeze plugs and how many? Are they expensive to replace. Would this be the most likey casue of the leak, this was the first thing that came to my mind, Ive checked the upper and lower heater hoses and the radiators hoses and cant find any leaks. I just spent a small fortune and wont be able to do the repairs myself. I hear their really hard to replace on front wheel drive engines. I appreciate any ideas or info on this leak.

[discnik]

The best way to determine where the leak is comming from is to get it up on a rack, while the cooling system is pressurized, and see where it is origonating from.

Our use trace die and a black light.

Either way it sounds like it needs to go to the shop for diagnostics.

[J-Ri]

Originally Posted by billyboy128

95 Chev Cavalier 2.2l OHV vin 4 121,000 miles.

I just had the headgasket replaced on my Cavalier at the dealers. I've noticed small tiny mositure on the ground when the engine is sitting and cooling down. I checked and Now I've noticed antifreeze leaking down from around the oil pan area. Do these cars have freeze plugs and how many? Are they expensive to replace. Would this be the most likey casue of the leak, this was the first thing that came to my mind, Ive checked the upper and lower heater hoses and the radiators hoses and cant find any leaks. I just spent a small fortune and wont be able to do the repairs myself. I hear their really hard to replace on front wheel drive engines. I appreciate any ideas or info on this leak.

If it started after they did the head gasket, take it back and tell them to fix it. They have freeze plugs (all engines do), but that's really just a shot in the dark... anything could be leaking, well, anything except the things that aren't. Difficulty depends a lot on the transaxle. M/Ts aren't that hard because the right (back) side of the engine isn't blocked that much. A/T would definitely be a PITA to replace, and as close as they are I wouldn't rule out transaxle removal being necessary to replace the right side ones. At any rate, find out what is leaking and go from there.

[manicmechanix]

Yeah you should take it back and have them find out why and where it's leaking. which side of the engine is leaking? The front near the water pump, the front-side, or the backside. I assumed it was the back-side but you only said down the oil pan and that goes around the whole lower engine perimeter. It could be anything from the simple like an engine drain plug to worse. After doing all that work the shop should be able to tell you something and maybe fix it.

[manicmechanix]

Originally Posted by J-Ri

Difficulty depends a lot on the transaxle. M/Ts aren't that hard because the right (back) side of the engine isn't blocked that much. A/T would definitely be a PITA to replace, and as close as they are I wouldn't rule out transaxle removal being necessary to replace the right side ones.

You're not kidding the right engine side of GM A/T are a PITA. I could never get to that back coolant drain plug and get it out and back in. Is it any easier/possible on a lift? I don't even try to remove them anymore.

[billyboy128]

As far as I can see Its coming from the rear of the engine on the drivers side. I cant afford anymore expensive repairs right now, gonna take to the dealer and see what happens. It seems to start leaking when the engine is hot and begins cooling down.

[J-Ri]

Originally Posted by manicmechanix

You're not kidding the right engine side of GM A/T are a PITA. I could never get to that back coolant drain plug and get it out and back in. Is it any easier/possible on a lift? I don't even try to remove them anymore.

Couldn't tell you if it's easier/possible on a lift. Most things are usually easier, or at the very least more comfortable. I took one look at one once and said "F--- that" and sent it somewhere else. I could barely see the thing, and didn't see how I could possibly get the new one back in there, so I didn't even touch it.