Where are the freeze plugs located and how are they installed?

Tiny
SOMEBODYSDAUGHTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Was leaking fluid and then went through a freeze and forgot to put a light under the hood. It popped a freeze plug and cracked the EGR cooling plate. Replaced the EGR cooling piece and replaced it with a blocking plate instead. Now I need to put the freeze plugs back.
Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 AT 10:45 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Hi,

This engine has several. There will be three on each side of the engine block. Additionally, there are (I believe) 2 on the rear of each cylinder head and then one on each side of the engine block between the engine and transmission. I attached a pic showing the ones on the engine side.

When you replace these, they really aren't hard, but oftentimes the process is made difficult because of the location.

If you find one is leaking, the easiest thing to do is take a punch and tap a hole through the plug. Then, simply pry it out of the block. Once out, make sure the block is clean, rust, and corrosion-free where you are replacing it. Often times I will take some light sandpaper and clean the area. Just try to avoid dirt or sand from getting into the block.

They make a tool that is basically the size of the outside diameter of the plug to help install it straight and evenly. If there is no room to use a hammer and the tool, they also make rubber expansion freeze plugs that are easy to install as well.

Let me know if I can help in any way and how things turn out for you.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Pic 2 shows the rubber-type replacement plug.
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Wednesday, April 13th, 2022 AT 7:52 PM

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