pjbrendan

I just bought this thing and I noticed it was overheating at stop lights. The radiator resevoir was empty so I filled it, drove around for a couple days and checked again and it was empty. There wasn't any leak spots on my driveway so I got under it and looked the fluid was coming out under the oil pan and rear of the exhaust manifold. Took it to Firestone (been taking my vehicles there for 4 years) they couldn't find the leak at first, pressure test was good, I told them to look again. They said it was the Freeze Plug. A $16 part cost me over $400 in labor. They had to pull the whole top of the engine off. Is this right? I just picked it up today. This is cutting into my lift/tire budget was it even worth it? Either way it's done now and the money's out of my account. What a kick in the can!

The Blacksmith

haha. do you own labor. taking it to a large shop is why you spent 400$

UserID6095

That hurts. Glasd you got it fixed up though, bummer it had to cut into the lift budget. I understand that feeling oh too well. One step forward, two steps back.

Camrynz

i replaced a freeze plug before on a 4 cylinder car...not hard at all

pjbrendan

is this gonna get it right or am I in for some more? I ordered the service manual, I don't have a lot of time to tinker with my tonka but I'm gonna do as much as I can. I know I couldn't have pulled the top of the engine without help though. I did all my exhaust/intake and gearing on my Harley without any problems.

trapper

just think about it this way... you made more money than you spent, doing what you do for a living, and not worrying about it at night.. to me, thats priceless!!

& now you have someone who will fix it for free if it continues.

UserID6095

I like your logic. Spend your money where it counts most.

Abovetimberline

That is not a bad price,when you consider that they pulled the head and had to replace the headgasket,intake/exhaust gasket,new oil and filter,all these things should be on your receipt.

MrJCRod

as long as the same part leaks, if it's a different part then they will charge you. you're warranty is on the part that was replaced... did you have them do all of the freeze out plugs or just the leaking one. Whenever I see one leaking there are usually slight stains around another 1 or 2 from signs of slight leaking. I hate replacing parts that aren't needed but on freeze plugs when 1 starts to rot and leak then the others aren't too far behind them.

rweaver138

damn garages are a rip off eh

Rmart30

If they had to pull the head I would have gotten it reworked also while it was off.

pjbrendan

yeah I went to Wilson today (in Fayetteville, NC) I was under the impression that all they did was lifts and performance upgrades but they're a full up garage. He said he would have only charged 2hrs labor and given me a 10% discount for military. I just found my new mechanic. He's gonna do all my lift work too once I recover from this $600 hit. This thing set me back about a month and a half. Expensive lesson to learn. Are the other freeze plugs as difficult to replace? All that stuff was on the reciept, they did what they were supposed to at least.

98 JeepJeep

he is probally refering to the one on the back of the head....and you either have to pull the motor or remove the head......i had a copper one put on when i had my cylinder head freshened up. the others are located on the driver's side of the block and one on the back of the block in front of trans.....

SeriousOffroad

Cancel that order friend and check your PM inbox.

pjbrendan

Thanks fellas for all your help, bottom line is I'm just not a mechanic. This Jeep is my learning tool so I'm thinking the curve will be steep. I'll never take my vehicles to Firestone again, that's for sure. Today I found a true Jeep shop who's not out to screw you and who's willing to help me learn what I can, and do the things I can't without ripping me off. I appreciate all the help, this is my last $600 mistake. Just Empty Every Pocket right, HD=hundred dollars, 2 toys and not enough time to play with them.