I'm not worthy I guess. I probably let my Miata sit too long. (freeze plug)..

[mikester]

So, it's actually my mother in law's Miata. It's a '95 I think but generally speaking a great running car but it looks a little worse for wear. Plus it is an AZ car so it is also kind of 'dried out'. Everything sticks a bit from what I guess is the desert sun just trying every bit of lubricating grease up.

It's at my house now and has been for a few years but I don't really drive it that much.

My main reason is that the radio is broke. The other reason is that it's just a little small with the top up. So typically I'll drive it around town in the summer with the top down. I have had plans to get the radio fixed I just haven't done it.

Well, I went to move it today and afterwards I noticed some greenish liquid on the ground. Crap. Coolant. (I hope it's just a hose, I hope it's just a hose....)

It's not. Looks like the driver's side front freeze plug. I have no idea when the coolant has been changed but obviously not soon enough if it has eaten through the plug.

I have seen various notes on the net that the engine needs to be out to replace the plugs. I can't see that as being totally true based on what I see an know. I know my dad replaced on in our Aerostar back in the '90s and he sure as hell didn't pull that engine...

I recall the cussing under the car...

Anyway - just curious as I know more than a few folks here are Miata fans and might have some thoughts.

Should I attempt to replace it myself (and possibly replace the lot since they are likely all on the road to compromise) or should I spend the money on a mechanic?

Part of me wants to send the car back to my MIL after its fixed. She doesn't stay as long as she used to and probably doesn't need it as much as she did in the past at our house.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by mikester

So, it's actually my mother in law's Miata.

Sure it is.

[mikester]

OH GOD I am so tired of the gay Miata jokes.

I actually did own a 2000 for a while and let the jokes get the better of me. I sold it for a 4X4 to assert the fact that I did in fact like girls.

I did like the truck too...

The Miata is my MIL's honest. But it is a fun car.

[Jim Richards]

Sorry Mikester! I actually wasn't thinking you were gay, more like shredded man-card, when I replied. And, of course, I was just kidding.

[mikester]

Jim - I know. No need to apologize. It IS funny. I'll post a story later accentuating the hilarity of the homo-miata driver.

Still, even the 914s and Boxsters suffer from this stigma and they are fantastic cars.

[vash]

i had an old man tell me that a failed freeze plug is a good thing. never understood until way later.

at least it is an easy fix. get the radio fixed..your MIL would enjoy the air in her hair much better with music..probably show tunes

(it rust out, or did it actually freeze?)

[fastfredracing]

Really can't hurt to try, if you can get the old one out, you can get the new one in. They also make rubber expandable ones , sort of like a fernco for engines. They are probably not permanent, but makes for an easy fix.
The only problem is that if one of them is rotted through, the others are probably not far behind. I'd pull it , and do them all, so that you are not chasing one after another .

[mikester]

Right, this one is probably easy to get to since it is in the front. I would need to remove the airbox and maybe some other parts. To go around the engine though - that's a lot of likely frozen bolts to take manifolds and what not off.

I may just do the one for now...

[scottmandue]

I'll trade you my 944 for it... MIL will never know the difference

[Bill Douglas]

Please clean up the green stuff (glycol). Cats and dogs lick it and then die of liver failure.

[mikester]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Please clean up the green stuff (glycol). Cats and dogs lick it and then die of liver failure.

Already done.