Questions and Answers

Toyota MR2 Freeze Plugs Q. Hello Vincent, I have a 1986 Toyota MR2 with a 1.6 liter 4A-GE 4 cylinder Twin Cam engine. The freeze plug facing the trunk of the car and closest to the front of the engine is corroded and leaking coolant. I am attempting to replace it from underneath the car ( I have removed most of what I can).

I think I have enough clearance to remove it. Question: What is the easiest and safest way to remove the plug. Can I press the plug in the engine on one side in order to tilt the other and use pliers to extract it? If I can't hammer the new one, due to space constraints, IS there a plug that can be adjusted to fit in there with some sort of screw? Where do I get it? What plug do you recommend?

Could running the car without a thermostat contribute to the corrosion?

Thanks,
Tony

A. Yes, there is a freeze plug such as you describe. You can get them at most of the bigger auto parts stores such as AutoZone and NAPA.

They are rubber and when you tighten the hex head it expands to fit the freeze plug hole. They come in different sizes so there won't be a problem finding one that fits. CLEAN and no kind of sealers are the keywords in using them. Of course once it's in and tight, I would do a pressure test and hold pressure for an hour or two to make sure it has sealed and will not pop out.