blazer from hell - popped freeze plugs

[NINFan]

so if you want a laugh, take a look at all my posts about this POS '99 blazer 4X4. i've replaced about everything with a bolt on this car. now i have a new crisis. over the winter two freeze plugs popped out. one i think i can get to while i'm in the process of replacing the lower control arm and front axle. the other one, i'm not so sure about. it's the right front, and it's right above the motor mount. anyone have any ideas how i can get that one back in without taking the whole engine out?

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by NINFan

so if you want a laugh, take a look at all my posts about this POS '99 blazer 4X4. i've replaced about everything with a bolt on this car. now i have a new crisis. over the winter two freeze plugs popped out. one i think i can get to while i'm in the process of replacing the lower control arm and front axle. the other one, i'm not so sure about. it's the right front, and it's right above the motor mount. anyone have any ideas how i can get that one back in without taking the whole engine out?

Popped freeze plugs ZOINKS!

I've heard of coolant lines rupturing from not enough antifreeze, but plugs? Wow. GadZOOKS!

I think you can you get at it by pulling the fender liner. Maybe the fender also...

[NINFan]

thanks, dude, but it's behind the motor mount. even if i take the mounts out and push the engine up, how am i going to get any swing to pound it in? the cross member will be in the way. i think i'm hosed.

[old_master]

Stick one of these in there, (proper size of course), no pounding necessary: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_585488232___

[NINFan]

oh, great idea!
thanks!

d'oh!!

[NINFan]

got it done this weekend. took the motor mount out (which, of course, was broken) and got the new (1 5/8") plug in. on to the next crisis...

thanks again for the tip. had completely forgotten about those things.

o - almost forgot. this whole thing started when i added regular coolant by mistake. i had been trying to flush the system, and that's why there was no antifreeze in the system this winter, hence the popped plugs. while i had the plug out, i stuck a hose in there at full blast and cleared out a lot of the sludge. it's now a whole lot better than it was.

[old_master]

Good idea to flush it out like that! Make sure you always use Dexcool and don't mix the green stuff in. http://free-auto-repair-advice.blogs...label/Dex-Cool

[NINFan]

ya, thanks. lesson learned the hard way...

dude. thanks for the link to that blog. it's awesome. is that you? if so, it's a great resource. Thanks!

so that link to the issue about mixing dex and regular got me thinking - maybe the reason i'm taking on coolant is because i mixed the products and hosed the intake manifold gaskets, and it's not a crack after all? boy, that would make me a happy camper.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=954565

[old_master]

I've written several automotive articles, but I can't take credit for that one. Check your lower intake manifold gaskets, you'll probably find the problem.