core plug (?) leak

**Aljas** · January 3rd, 2011 02:12 PM

Hi guys. I'm not automobile-savvy at all, so bear with me please.

I have a 2002 jimny, bought brand new. Mileage now is 80k.

Late last December, while driving, napansin kong biglang tumaas yung temp. So punta ako gas station. Ubos laman ng radiator and even nung reservoir. So pinalagyan ko ng tubig and coolant. Drove again.

Before I reached the office, tumaas na naman temp. Nakarating naman ako without much more incident. Nung gabi, topped up the radiator and reservoir with water again. Nakauwi ako without the temp rising from its normal level.

Brought it to the casa the following day. Lo and behold, they said na may crack daw yung engine/cylinder block (?), and it would have to be replaced, with costs amounting to a minimum of 140k (includes engine overhaul daw)! Thing is, though, yung tinuturo nila sa aking crack is a hole dun sa tinawag nung isang SA na core plug (may isa pa akong nakausap sabi naman tawag dun water plug). Para syang pabaliktad na bottle cap covering about a 2-inch hole dun sa engine block (specifically, located dun sa area beneath the exhaust manifold). Yun lang talaga ang butas na nakita ko, and yun lang naman ang itinuturo sa akin.

I googled the matter and it appears na madali lang palitan yun (iba pang tawag is freeze/frost plug). Many videos on youtube actually show core plug replacement as capable of being DIY'ed. Napadaan ako sa isang auto repair shop sa Malabon (Pitstop ang pangalan, located along McArthur Highway sa may Potrero), and they said na basta may pyesa, madali lang palitan yun.

The question I have are these: has any of you had experience like mine? Madali lang nga kaya palitan yun (assuming na yun lang talagang plug ang problema)? San kaya maganda pagawa yun kung sakali (I live in Valenzuela, malapit sa San Miguel Brewery)? Any of you know if Pitstop is ok?

Salamat po. Pasensya na sa mahabang kwento at maraming tanong.

**p_borj** · January 3rd, 2011 03:24 PM

go to Olympia along Araneta Ave. Q.C. (saan ba ang Valenzuela? sorry for the noob question, pero kung GMA area ka, then I recommend Olympia)

just look for Jonathan sabihin mo nirecommend kita. Authorized suzuki automobile parts dealer sila, tsaka may mechanics sila.

**JJGF** · January 3rd, 2011 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Aljas

Hi guys. I'm not automobile-savvy at all, so bear with me please.

I have a 2002 jimny, bought brand new. Mileage now is 80k.

Late last December, while driving, napansin kong biglang tumaas yung temp. So punta ako gas station. Ubos laman ng radiator and even nung reservoir. So pinalagyan ko ng tubig and coolant. Drove again.

Before I reached the office, tumaas na naman temp. Nakarating naman ako without much more incident. Nung gabi, topped up the radiator and reservoir with water again. Nakauwi ako without the temp rising from its normal level.

Brought it to the casa the following day. Lo and behold, they said na may crack daw yung engine/cylinder block (?), and it would have to be replaced, with costs amounting to a minimum of 140k (includes engine overhaul daw)! Thing is, though, yung tinuturo nila sa aking crack is a hole dun sa tinawag nung isang SA na core plug (may isa pa akong nakausap sabi naman tawag dun water plug). Para syang pabaliktad na bottle cap covering about a 2-inch hole dun sa engine block (specifically, located dun sa area beneath the exhaust manifold). Yun lang talaga ang butas na nakita ko, and yun lang naman ang itinuturo sa akin.

I googled the matter and it appears na madali lang palitan yun (iba pang tawag is freeze/frost plug). Many videos on youtube actually show core plug replacement as capable of being DIY'ed. Napadaan ako sa isang auto repair shop sa Malabon (Pitstop ang pangalan, located along McArthur Highway sa may Potrero), and they said na basta may pyesa, madali lang palitan yun.

The question I have are these: has any of you had experience like mine? Madali lang nga kaya palitan yun (assuming na yun lang talagang plug ang problema)? San kaya maganda pagawa yun kung sakali (I live in Valenzuela, malapit sa San Miguel Brewery)? Any of you know if Pitstop is ok?

Salamat po. Pasensya na sa mahabang kwento at maraming tanong.

sir ok naman sa pitstop diyan malapit sa san miguel brewery. sa kanila ako lagi nagpapagawa. look for alex, alam ko siya ang chief mechanic diyan. maayos naman sila kausap

**Aljas** · January 3rd, 2011 03:51 PM

salamat sa quick replies, mga pre.

*p_borj: valenzuela is in the northern part of metro manila, after caloocan and malabon if you're going north from monumento via mcarthur highway.

again guys, thanks.

**mazingerZ** · January 3rd, 2011 03:53 PM

used to have this problem sa zuk vitara, turned out core leak. The part costs around P50 pesos only. Malamang rusted na iyan. Replacing it is easy for mechanics ( it only involves removing the exhaust manifold - and would take aruond half a day the most). Dalhin mo na lang kina allan sa olympia. kalokohan yung sinasabi nila sacasa

**Aljas** · January 3rd, 2011 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by mazingerZ

used to have this problem sa zuk vitara, turned out core leak. The part costs around P50 pesos only. Malamang rusted na iyan. Replacing it is easy for mechanics ( it only involves removing the exhaust manifold - and would take aruond half a day the most). Dalhin mo na lang kina allan sa olympia. kalokohan yung sinasabi nila sacasa

thanks, mazingerZ. second vote for olympia. will try to bring it there tomorrow morning para iwas traffic and overheat.

**EE100shiro** · January 3rd, 2011 08:19 PM

A.K.A. Water Jacket?? Yung iba nga pinapahiran lang ng parang epoxy

**Aljas** · January 4th, 2011 03:22 PM

Had it fixed sa olympia this morning. the part only cost Php35!!! Medyo nahirapan lang tanggalin, but it's all good (hopefully).

Thanks for your insights, guys.