TR 2.6 EFI Auto Sedan
Driving home last night stopped at the lights and the car was enveloped in a cloud of steam and the temperature gauge sky-rocketed. Quickly parked and inspected the damage, couldn't see anything obvious. Waited a while filled up the radiator and quickly drove the last mile home, ok.

Couldn't find the leak at first using a torch and mirror but eventually found a leaking welsh plug with the aid of a digital camera. Hard to see anything behind the engine below the inlet manifold.

The leaking plug in question is just under the centre of the inlet manifold.

I got a quote around $650 to replace the welsh plugs on the back of the engine with plans to do the front another time soon. Is this a reasonable price?

Secondly, I feel comfortable replacing the welsh plugs but am reluctant to remove the inlet manifold, has anyone done this before? How difficult was it? Is there anything to be wary about.

thanks

slowdriver
TR 2.6 EFI Auto Sedan

Actually, replacing the welsh plugs will be difficult, even with the intake manifold removed, as you need room to swing a hammer. You may need to tip the engine forward to gain access. Front ones are better as you can remove the exhaust manifold and radiator to gain access. Welsh plugs are brass, usually, and don't often rot through unless the cooling system has run straight tap water for years. You may find the corrosion is more extensive. Also, a block may crack and allow a welsh plug to leak. Remove the intake manifold and examine the problem more closely.
Cost of the welsh plugs for the whole engine is (last time I did this) about $20.An easy job with the engine out, a hammer and a large socket and an hour's work. The rest of the quoted cost will be for dismantling the engine enough to get to them.

Thanks MadMax, didn't think about room to swing a hammer. Will reconsider getting the rear ones done at the shop, but plan to do the front ones myself.

on the 4 cyl its better to take out the motor
or onlift it out on a 45 degree angle within the engine bay

do all the welsh plugs you cant get to with the motor in

Sound like the back ones are best left to the mechanic. How hard is it to take out a motor?

for that kind of money, you could get a low k's engine into your car. choices choices choices...

How hard is it to take out a motor?
3hours or less the gearbox stays attached
undo all the engine mounts and exhaust pipe
undo a few more things
take out the drive shafts at the inner boots
engine crane to lift the motor
take off the inlet manifold

look for cracks in the block front line of welsh plugs
behind the exhaust manifold

i have replaced a set of welsh plugs on the rear of my mums old tr which blew one clean out! i did it with the motor in, removed inlet manifold and went about it. wouldnt recommend it though :P was an absolute shit of a job, but it is possible.....

Thanks guys, I will leave this one to the mechanic. When we get another car will look at doing some much needed work to this one. Valve seals, front welsh plugs and throttle body for a start.