MattHiggins

I need to replace a freeze plug on the back of the block. The guy I bought the Cherokee said he was told to drop the tranny. I think it might be easier to just pull the engine. Anyone have to a plug in the back of the engine? Any general thoughts or tips?

Mattpar

on the back of the block,.. yeah, you'll have to drop the tranny. Seems like less work than removing the motor since you have to separate the trans for the motor anyways to pull the motor, just drop the trans and transfer case while they are still attached, remove the flexplate, replace the freeze plug, and put back together,...

sure its not the freeze plug in the back of the head leaking?

Gorillaxj

remove the tranny(for just the one on the block). in my opinion, but it also depends on if you have a lift, or want to also reseal the engine. if you just want to do the freeze plug above the crank i would remove the trans. cant get to the back freeze plug with the motor/trans installed. however if you want to do the head freeze plug and other engine gaskets i would pull the motor.

MattHiggins

The one of the head has been replaced; it rusted out too. I was thinking about replacing it too because the previous owner said he did it himself--nice guy, just didn't seem too mechanically inclined.

I'm surprised these rusted out because the Jeep is no rust bucket at all.

I don't have a vehicle lift, so pulling the engine seemed easier, but maybe dropping the trans is still the way to go.

Mattpar

The freeze plugs on the back of the motor i swaped in were in really great shape(still shiny, no rust, no leakage) compared to the ones on the side of the block(corroded, but not leaking)

blasterman93

I would pull the motor and replace all of them. If one went bad the others arent far behind.

beckway66

Well I am new to the forum. Just had to get my 99 Jeep Cherokee towed for what the mechanic has advised is a broken freeze plug. The parts seem cheap enough. Just wondering about the labor. I was quoted 5hrs. Does that sound about right?

Thanks.

MattHiggins

I got quoted the same

biglover1893@hotmail.com

yeah i had to do a motor tansplant in my old jeep and deffenetly pulling the tranny is less work than pulling the whole motor