Starter motor removal to get to freeze plugs

tomnj

tomnj

Old fogie stogie
Well, as it turns out, the PO of the 850 Coupe I purchased over the summer was running straight water in the radiator, which I never checked. Then came the polar vortex last week which plummeted temps close to zero in New Jersey and I found out yesterday in our 50+ degree weather that a freeze plug popped out from the motor, water gushing out when I started it...

Ok, so now I need to install a new freeze plug. I know I need to dismantle the generator, but it looks like the starter will be in the way too, so the question is, can the starter be removed by loosening the 2 mounting nuts from within the engine compartment, or do I need to get a wrench on the rear side where the trans is to hold it? Is this something that is normally done with the engine installed, or do people pull the engine out first to remove the starter?
 
If memory serves me correctly you can pull the starter from the top. You certainly don’t need to pull the engine. There are 3 bolts holding the starter on.
 
3 nuts on studs. On a coupe it is easier to remove the radiator in my experience to gain better access.
 
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POSSIBLE help on pulling old freeze plug is to drill a hole in it and insert sheet metal screw leaving "grip" room between head of screw and plug.
Then put a wood block to spread stress and use claw hammer or nail puller to apply pulling force to plug. This assumes the plug is still wedged in the block and water/ice escaped around edges. Of course this was done by me on an engine stand in a warm garage. Good luck!
 
Goo
Frank L. Di Gioia said:
POSSIBLE help on pulling old freeze plug is to drill a hole in it and insert sheet metal screw leaving "grip" room between head of screw and plug.
Then put a wood block to spread stress and use claw hammer or nail puller to apply pulling force to plug. This assumes the plug is still wedged in the block and water/ice escaped around edges. Of course this was done by me on an engine stand in a warm garage. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Good tip Frank. I used the screw method and a slide hammer but there is probably not enough room with the engine place.
 
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