schmoozer

Just got done changing the coolant on my 97 ES300. I noticed today the coolant seemed a little bit lower than when I originally checked it. While the engine was running I heard a faint "tsssss" and a little white smoke coming up. Sure enough right below the front drain plug I see it pooling and slowly dripping. What are my options? Maybe cap it?

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Are you talking about the one on the engine block? Why won't you try tightening it?

schmoozer

Yep front of the engine block. Already tightened it as much as I could by hand.

PFB

There is an "O" ring there. Replace it.

Phil

LeX2K

Definitely check the o-ring.

schmoozer

It's leaking from the spout.

Where exactly would the o-ring go?

LeX2K

I can't remember if the front drain plug has an o-ring on it or not. The back one definitely does. If necessary you can always replace the following:

90910‑09087 PLUG, WATER DRAIN ****(FOR CYLINDER BLOCK)
90910‑09095 **** SUB-ASSY, WATER DRAIN(FOR CYLINDER BLOCK)

2nd listing is for the entire assembly that threads into the block, first is only the drain plug bolt itself.

schmoozer

I really appreciate the part numbers, thanks for that.

I can't find any pictures for the entire assembly, but I imagine that is replaced by unscrewing the much larger hex looking bolt that encompasses the smaller bolt that is normally used?

LeX2K

That would be correct. But before you go replacing it, try and find out why it's leaking. Perhaps there is crud in there preventing the bolt from threading in all the way? BTW what do you mean you tightened the bold "by hand"?

schmoozer

Haha, wrong choice of words. I meant using normal tools; 10mm wrench I believe. It's in a bit of an awkward spot so I may not have gotten enough torque on it. I'll definitely try to clean it off as best as I can and try to get at it from another angle. I suppose if I do mess up the drain **** its not a total loss as I didn't realize the entire assembly was replaceable.

I still need to look for an o-ring as mentioned before, although I'm not exactly sure if that's the problem since that would presumably keep it from leaking at the screw and not the actual drain port. I was also considering just capping off the actual drain spot and keeping the leak at bay that way.

LeX2K

I thought that's what you meant, just making sure you didn't finger tighten the thing. Either way pull the plug out and have a look at it, and use a mirror to see if there is anything preventing it from snugging down correctly. You could always put some RTV on the threads that would probably stop the leak, but not an ideal repair.

If there is an o-ring and it's bad, then probably the first place the coolant would go is the drain tube.

schmoozer

If I start messing with it to a great extent I imagine a good portion of the coolant may drain out. I would like to avoid dropping the skid plate again for the radiator, but this is relatively backwards in terms of draining the coolant. I have a funnel that can burp it, but am I going to run into any problems by having coolant just drain from the block?

LeX2K

It doesn't really matter where the coolant drains from, just fill and bleed the system as per usual. A good way to make sure minimal air is trapped is to fill the system slowly, and also run the engine for 10 seconds several times as you are filling.

schmoozer

Well I went ahead and put a little muscle into tightening the bolt and it seems to have stopped the leak. Not sure if over tightening is a major issue with this part, but I think the bolt is beginning to round out. I now face the dilemma if I want to risk draining it again as I planned, or leave it be.