How can I access and replace freeze plugs? - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette

how do you know the freeze plug is the problem? do not pull the head. look for the rotten plug and replace it.lol.

Replacing freeze plugs is easy. Getting access to the one leaking may not be. Freeze plugs drive into their holes and you need access to do it. There are some aftermarket freeze plugs that can be installed and expanded into place with a wrench. But you still have to get to it. Depending on where it is, it may be easy to reach, or very difficult, such as on the rear of the engine where you must either remove the engine or transmission to gain access.

If you cannot find the freeze plug, it is probably because you have no idea what you are looking for. First off, there isn't just "A" freeze plug on an engine, there are numerous ones located all around the block and sometimes on the cylinder heads as well. Some are concealed between the engine rear and firewall, some may be concealed behind accessories such as the power steering pump, water pump, or alternator, and yet others may be hidden between the engine and transmission. A freeze plug is a recessed metal disc that is pressed into the casting to allow expansion of freezing water to pop it out, preventing the casting from cracking in the event of a freeze-up in extremely cold conditions. Unfortunately, these plugs corrode over time and may leak, requiring replacement. The rule of thumb is that if the offending plug is accessible, replace the bad one and move on. If it is not accessible and you need to remove the engine to provide service, then you are best suited to replace ALL freeze plugs since you already have access to them and if one has gone bad, the others may well soon follow. You wouldn't want to go to the expense of pulling the engine to replace a rear freeze plug, only to have to it again in the short-term future. Here is a shot of some freeze plug openings....one with a plug in it and two that are open. Additionally, removal of the freeze plugs also allow for more thorough cleaning of the engine block in the chemical tank during engine overhaul and rebuilding processes.

Dave, depends which one on motor passenger side, but I would say yes remove it to gain better access PRESS THE HELPFUL BUTTON
Replacing Freeze Core Plugs In My Truck Part 1

Freeze plug removal 94 150 by an 11year old part 1

Freeze PlugsAlso called Engine Block Expansion Plugs

1989 Ford F150 Motor Mount Removal to Get to Freeze Plug

Raise freeze plugs?? If replacing frost plugs normally the engine does not have to be raised. In some cases accessories will have to be removed to access the plug/s for replacement

It is impossible to propose a diagnosis without knowing the YEAR, MAKE and MODEL of your vehicle.
That being said, replacement of freeze plugs on any vehicle is not a minor undertaking. The mere failure of a freeze plug suggests poor maintenance of the vehicle over time, and is often a precursor of additional underlying cooling system damage.
To replace freeze plugs, often the engine must be removed, or at least decoupled from the car and elevated, to access the freeze plug location. Once you have access to the freeze plug location, you need to pry out the existing freeze plug, removing all rust deposits from the visible cavity and filing the freeze plug seating surface smooth, then use a mallet and large wooden peg to install the new freeze plug.
Once you are done, it is highly advisable to replace the thermostat in the vehicle, check the condition of the radiator, and be certain to maintain a 50/50 ratio of antifreeze to water, using only filtered water.

leaking freeze plug. block sealer should fix problem if veh is running fine, and only losing small amounts of water if it's pouring out as soon as you put water in then will need to replace the freeze plug, may have to remove exhaust manifold to do so, depending on which freeze plug is leaking, (if easily accessible most parts stores have rubber expansion freeze plugs, that you can put in and tighten down with a wrench or socket)

You just drive the exixting freeze plug into the hole in the engine block. Once it has been driven all the way into the water jacket, it can be turned sideways and pulled out of the hole with a pair of pliers. Then you put a little black rtv on the edge of the new freeze plug and drive it straight into the hole until the edge of the freexe plug is flush with the surface of the engine block. This is usually done with a freeze plug driver set. SEE PICTURE BELOW

Now how to go about getting to the freeze plug is a whole other story. Each freeze plug presents problems of its own. Some of the can be accessed very easilly. Some of them require that things like starter motors or motor mounts have to be removed to get tho them. Then there are the ones that are located on the back of the engine block which usually require transmission removal to access them.

the price is determined by how much you have to remove in order to gain access to the freeze plug to replace it the freeze plugs themselves are just a couple of dollars but could be several hundred to replace due to gaining access to replace you also have freeze plugs sometimes that are on back of engine and require you to either remove engine or transmission to replace also keep in mind that normally if a freeze plug is leaking it is due to a neglected cooling system that is now full of rust that may have to be flushed out

Your engine is water cooled and therefore has water travelling around the engine block. 
A freeze plug is an expansion plug located in the side of an engine block that is supposed to protect the block against freezing conditions. Water expands when it turns to ice, and if the coolant does not have enough antifreeze protection it can freeze and crack the engine block. The freeze plugs (there are usually several of them) are supposed to pop out under such conditions to relieve the pressure on the block.
Most of the plugs to be found on an engine are actually to plug the holes where sand cores have been held. The sand cores are used in the casting process to form internal cavities in the engine block or cylinder head, for cooling water for example, and so should really be referred to as core plugs.

Freeze plugs can often be a source of troublesome leaks as a result of internal cooling system corrosion. Ease of replacement depends on accessibility. In many cases the plug area will be difficult to reach and using a mallet to perform maintenance or replacement will be nearly impossible without special facilities. Expanding rubber plugs are available as replacements when access is a problem.
Hope that helps...