hi all, I noticed a while back that I was started getting the low coolant light on accleration but would go out after a bit. At first I thought it was coming from the thermostat so I replaced it and the gaskets but sure enough the light came back after a month. I looked and saw a wet spot on the starter area just below the freeze plug. the freeze plug also felt damp. I went to the dealer to get a new one since advanced and auto zone didnt know exactly what size it was. I have a 95 cav 2.2L. I'll post pics here in a little while. Any advice/help would be great.
They should have a book displaying the part numbers. Also, you might want to tell them it's an expansion plug. It's not listed as a freeze plug in the book, so that might've threw them off.
If I go to my local parts place anytime soon, I'll get a # for ya.
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1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS 3.1L V6 A4- Metallic Green
1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 M6- Patriot Red
1995 Chevrolet Cavalier A4- Winter beater/purple
I went to the dealer and got the replacement part, looks like a steel bottle cap. My question is how to you replace it. I was planning on doing a full system flush anyway so it looks a good time to do it.
I just went though this on my Z28. My uncle did all the work, but basically, get the old one (don't let it fall in) and then there's a little hammer you use and you just hit it in, and you're set. Sorry, I know that wasn't much of a help.
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1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS 3.1L V6 A4- Metallic Green
1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 M6- Patriot Red
1995 Chevrolet Cavalier A4- Winter beater/purple
^^^^
Just a little more explanation
OK here is how I did it years ago, succesfully by the roadside, on an Austin Mini (1962 vintage)
(1) Remove the old Freeze plug, you can drill a tapping size hole and use a large dia. self tapping screw as a "Handle" to pull it out or tap in a punch and lever it out (Carefully-mind the block, avoid the circumference, work in the middle).
You will notice the new plug is "Dished" almost like a shallow bowl.
(2) Clean up the hole in the block so the new plug fits nicely, with the hollow side IN --dished side OUT.
(3) When it is positioned correctly and hit with a hammer (and punch to be accurate) to PARTIALLY flatten the dished out side the disc increases in diameter and locks itself into the block. So don't hit it too HARD SO IT DISHES in
(4) Top off the coolant and check for leaks
The plug will burst in the event of the block internal pressure increasing due to freeze expansion and hopefully save the block, it's also handy to have those holes when initially casting the block
Hope this helps
Alont
Thank you Alont for expanding on it. How'd you manage to do this on the roadside though?
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1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS 3.1L V6 A4- Metallic Green
1995 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 M6- Patriot Red
1995 Chevrolet Cavalier A4- Winter beater/purple
Your welcome
I did that in England, the car only had water in it for a time, not coolant, so I topped off with water from a container in the trunk.
I just removed the old plug and let the water run out until I could clean the hole then tapped a new one in.
Quite often ran with only water if we had a problem, as the winter approached we refilled with coolant.
I remember like -6 degrees centigrade used to be a cold winter!
Alont
