Finally got some time yesterday to track down my coolant leak. Blew a frieze plug on the front of the motor. Anybody have any ideas as to WHY? Kalina put them in, maybe I should go after him. I suppose his "not garunteed against leaks" will cover him there.

This car is really starting to piss me off.

I'd definitely complain to Kalina about that one. Its not common to blow a freeze plug on these engines, at least not that I've heard. That sounds like a screw up on his part.

As you know a freeze plug should not blow or leak unless the fluid in the block froze (Not likely in May). The only other viable reason would be a rough or bad mating surface on the block where the freeze plug goes in. This is the reason for machine shops disclaimers against leaks.

If you take out the plug and find that the edges of the hole are a little rough, you could try one of those rubber freeze plugs. It looks like a sewere trap plug only a lot smaller. It has a rubber puck sandwiched by two metal plates. Those plates are sqeezed together by a stud and nut running through the center in effect spreading out the rubber and sealing the hole.

Good luck...I know how problems go budy!
Marcus

Thanks guys, I might look into one of those rubber plugs. Is that something autozone would have? I'm gonna try and get the turbo and other crap in the way pulled this week, so I can get a better look at what's going on.

BTW Marcus - as near as I could tell, the plug was completely gone. Water was literally pouring out the side of the block. God, I hope I didn't crack the damn block.

I'll update as I find out more.

edit: appears that Advance has the rubber plugs in stock. 2.99 each.

Rob

Well, Autozone and Advance just lost most of my business. It seems like every time I go there looking for a part, they are rather rude, unhelpful, and never have what I need. Ended up going to NAPA in Washington, again. These guys are very helpful, and don't give up just because their computer says they don't have something.

Anyway... I got everything ripped out, and sure enough, the very back plug on the front side of the motor is completely gone. I haven't talked to kalina, I don't figure there is much he could/would do anyway. Plug from NAPA was only $.49 (steel). Got the new plug in, and I'm going to let it cure overnight. (Guys at NAPA suggested putting a bead of locktite around it to seal it).

An a little more interesting note, I decided to do away with the 5-point harnesses in my car because of the difficulty in turning around to look behind me, and because they are really rather uncomfotable with the stock seats, IMO. Since Racing buckets just aren't in the budget, I thought I'd try another route... a Manual seatbelt conversion. I got manual 3-point belts from a Honda Accord in a swap of parts with KOU, and did the install tonight... in about 45 min. The crazy things bolted right up, and if it weren't for the roll bar, It would have only probably taken 20-30 min to install. Anyone interested in checking this out, let me know. Way to easy, required only minor hacking of a couple of panels, an I could have been a lot neater if I wanted.

Planning on putting the motor back together tomorrow, hopefully then I'll be back on the road without any more kinks.

Ummm... It's red....

But, yea, you got the general idea.

You been drinking out of the toilet again?

Well, got the car running again... only to discover a slipping clutch. I don't think I'm gonna tell Kristy about this for a while. Car drives ok... just slips under boost. I think it's time to put a few easy miles on this thing.

Drove it to work this morining... nice and easy. Heh, I think I should have taken the time to port the exhaust... Spool up is really slow, and last night I had the boost spike at 20 psi!! I was hoping to run 16-17 on the street once everything is done, but not quite yet. It could be that the turbo isn't the greatest in the world, also. At least it's on the road... for now.

I've got a stock clutch that you are welcome to if it helps. Also have a ported and unported ex-man (1g). Let me know if either can be of help there.

I've got an ACT 2100 in it now, I think either the disk got oil on it while it was out of the car and in waiting, or it just needs some break in time with the freshly machined flywheel. Only time will tell for sure, but if I do anything, I'm concidering puting a 6 puck disk in it... $75 from buschur.

I was waiting on the porting until I got a 2g exhaust maifold, and to see if everything else was ok (turbo). I'd really love to get an o2 eliminator downpipe, and a 16g to solve that problem, but that's definately gotta wait.

I did stop my oil leak in the valve cover, and the coolant seems to be holding for now also. At least I can drive it!!

Glad to hear you finally get to enjoy the Eclipse the streets.

Thanks Eric.

Got my fuel pump rewire done, and wired up the light in the boost gauge. A/F gauge is hooked up, although I'm not 100% sure it's right. We'll see what happens.