Where are the freeze plugs on a 1997 Mercury Sable 3.0L and how do you change them?

Answer 1

they are located all over the engine. There are some located up each side of the engine block(usually 3 up each side), there is ususally one in the back of the engine block indide the bellhousing(it is necessary to remove the transmission to access that one), and there should be one at each end of each cylinder head. Freeze plugs are simply round discs, some about the size of a quarter, some about the size of a fifty-cent piece, that are escape routes for frozen water, if the coolant in the engine ever freezes, it will pop out a freeze plug before it will break the block or crack the head. Some are ususally easy to see, some are incredibly difficult to access. You need to figure out which one(s) is/are leaking, clear anything in the way(could be motor mounts, starter, or even transmission) to gain access. Once access is gained, use a screwdriver and a hammer to LIGHTLY tap the freeze plug free. Once loose, use whatever means to grab it and hook it out. You can usually grab it with pliers. To install a new one, lightly coat the ede of the new freeze plug with lock-tite, or some kind of thread-locker. Find a socket that just fits inside of the freeze plug and use your hammer to firmly, but evenly tap the new plug into place. You want to tap it in until the edge of the plug is pretty much even with the outside of the engine metal surface.

Answer 2

Show location and how to change