Easy expansion plug replacement?

[knoppsicle]

Hello, I have a 91 Grand Prix with a 3.1, and it has a very severe coolant leak. I've looked at the radiator hoses and the heater hoses, and those don't appear to be leaking. The water pump doesn't appear to be leaking either. I've gotten under there, and it seems to be coming from the right side of the motor. My dad seems to think that maybe one of the expansion plugs has rotted away and needs to be replaced. Does anyone know of an easy way to replace these? I've looked in my Chilton's manual, and it wants me to remove the transmission, which is kind of a big project on these cars, and I'd hate to do that only to figure out it was something else. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[dpzelenak]

sure its a plug and not a lim gasket?

[knoppsicle]

No, i'm not sure. I just know that its coming from the right side of the engine. Apparently my dad looked at the manifold, and it didn't appear to be leaking.

[Scottydoggs]

did you have just water in the engine, and it got cold? under 32 deg? if so the freeze out plug popped, they also rust out. if its on the trans side of the engine, pretty sure you need to pull the engine or the trans, trans is probably easier of the two.

fill it up again with the car on ramps or jack stands. start it and look up at the side of the block, you should be able to see it coming out of one of the freeze out plugs.

and i would change them all while you are there.

[knoppsicle]

No, its always had water and coolant in the engine, but it did get down below 20 degrees here a few times this winter. And its almost impossible to see the freeze plugs as it is. I was really just wondering if anyone knew of an easier way to remove and replace the plugs without having to remove the transmission.