Good Evening Monte Peeps ! I have posted several times over the last couple years about my overheating and mysterious coolant losses. I received much help and info from everybody so thanks for that ! my 03' SS Pace car has been running ok the last year and half, pretty much but still having to add some coolant every week-ish with no visible leaks or puddles. I had chalked it up to a failing upper intake manifold leak and last year I bought a upper kit from rock auto cause they were on closeout. after researching I determined that it might be a little above my shadetree driveway skillset and stored box in garage til I had the money for a shop install. Well Tuesday a half mile from house I stop at a light and see smoke from hood and underneath ! I nursed it home and engine was smoking , like burning off oil on block, I felt rad cap and it was luke warm, took off cap,no water, poured water in and instantly pouring out from underneath ! not the hose, seemed like bottom of rad ! anyway, sorry such long story ! Had it towed to my shop and today they called and said my engine heater freeze plug was leaking and basically blown out ! they fixed that then did vacuum test on engine and said my intake was leaking also and its 3 hrs labor and 200$ part, I said I have that part ! lol ! so I'll save that 200 at least ! just wanted to share that if anyone has a block heater that the freeze plug could be be a coolant loss issue ! I bought car in 07' with 38k miles, I knew car came from Indiana originally and noticed the block heater power cord first time I tinkered under the hood, but living in Florida I had never seen one ! So I get the car back Monday with new plug and upper intake manifold kit and possibly gonna have the lower gasket replaced as well, also gave them the o2 sensor I recently bought and couldnt install cause I didnt have an extention long enough nor the *** to turn it !! they said we'll throw that in for you !!

 

Did they end up just shoving a standard freeze plug back into it?

Any idea if it was an original GM one or some cheap aftermarket?

 

they put a block heater back in it, said they could not find a freeze plug that would fit right ?? any hoo, $1246.00 later, got her back today, replaced heater block element, upper and lower intake manifold gaskets plus upper everything (since I already had the kit ), manifold o2 sensor, no charge, I had that part too, and a new radiator plus new green coolant ! all in all I dont think that was too bad, they put o2 sensor in for free and charged me $150 for radiator and no labor since I had already spent so much ! I have not driven her much yet but she seems to run like a scolded dog now ! LOL... I hope my gas mileage goes up and my coolant woes are now over !!