Freeze Plug Help, Cant Find The Leak!

[bimmer206]

After finally getting my car running, It will not hold coolant! I suspect a broken Freeze Plug after the cold winter. I searched and found little on either freeze plug location or how to install a new one.

I thought the leak may be behind the starter. After pulling the starter I still cant find it.

Looking over the tranny I see water leaking to the side of the top bellhousing bolt. The water leaks to the right in this image.

Do you know of a D.I.Y. or have any information to help me finish this damn car?

[AnimalE30]

There should be a freeze plug on the back of the head iirc.

If you have to replace that one you'll have to take the head off. I'm not exactly sure how you get them off, but they are soft brass so you should be able to punch a hole in it and use a puller of some sort. Installing them is easier, apply permatex no.1 and drive the freeze plug in with the biggest socket that will fit inside the plug.

That being said, there is also a coolant pipe on the back of the head - your gasket may have gone bad. I'm pretty sure you can replace this with the head still on. I'm not sure tho, I dont have an m20 in my car anymore.

Edit: the only other thing I can think of back there is your headgasket. Hope this helps.

[bimmer206]

Shit, sounds like I may pull the engine tomorrow, ugh

[jlevie]

As mentioned, the heater hose nipple on the rear of the head's gasket could be bad or the hose could be leaking. While not easy, those can be dealt with while the engine is in the car.

[bimmer206]

As mentioned, the heater hose nipple on the rear of the head's gasket could be bad or the hose could be leaking. While not easy, those can be dealt with while the engine is in the car.

Should I pull the tranny to get back there?

[jlevie]

Pulling the transmission won't be of much help. Lowering the subframe a couple of inches will help. Or you can remove the intake manifold.

[AnimalE30]

I didn't even think that you probably still have the intake manifold on. Derp!

Take it off and check to make sure all the coolant hoses are in good condition/connected tightly. These hoses due go bad and you might be able to fix a simple leak with a wider worm gear clamp.

[bimmer206]

I didn't even think that you probably still have the intake manifold on. Derp!

Take it off and check to make sure all the coolant hoses are in good condition/connected tightly. These hoses due go bad and you might be able to fix a simple leak with a wider worm gear clamp.

I pulled the mani and found one of the hoses was leaking. Slid it down the pipe and tightened the hose clamp. Leak solved. Thanks for your input guys.

[The Humjet]

I was just about to mention that oh well too late.

Oh and animalE30 just a bit of info for yourself in future if you ever want to take the freeze plugs off. Just get a punch and hammer hit the side of the plug not the centre. It should start turning inwards, so one side should be going into the hole while the other side comes out. Then just pull that side sticking out with some pliers very easy.

[bimmer206]

Hey guys new problem. Pulled the starter and I did not disconnect the battery. Sparked something and after replacing the starter the car will not start. Before I pulled the starter it ran but now when I turn the key the fuel pump keeps running and running. Power windows do not work either.

I checked the fuses and fiddled with it. This has to be something simple. Gracias

[jlevie]

The fuel pump running when the ignition is on is suggestive of wiring damage. The damage could be in the engine harness, or it could be on the body side. A simple check is to disconnect C101. If the pump still runs with ignition, the fault is on the body side.

[bimmer206]

The fuel pump running when the ignition is on is suggestive of wiring damage. The damage could be in the engine harness, or it could be on the body side. A simple check is to disconnect C101. If the pump still runs with ignition, the fault is on the body side.

Wiring damage that occurred when I shorted the starter?

[bimmer206]

I disconnected c101, the pump will not run.

[bimmer206]

Bump, Jlevie is the man. Hes helping me via pm, does anyone else have any thoughts?

[bimmer206]

Pulled the fuel pump relay and the pump will not run.