1990 3VZE, Auto trans.

Okay, tonite in the endless nickel and diming that my truck is doing, I noticed a steady drip from the rear of the motor.

I believe it could be a freeze plug from my searching here. But without a blacklight, I can't localize it.

It is dripping from apparently two locations, one above the transmission, and down to the U joint on the drive shaft.

The second is ahead of the exhaust pipe, running down it a bit and then dripping. (driver's side)

Question is: How much labor is usually associated with the replacement of the plug, and how about the second leak? I know the oil cooler is in that general area. I can't afford to keep throwing good money after bad with my rig, and it kills me to get rid of it. I just sank $300 into replacing the power steering pump and a couple hoses 2-3 weeks ago.

FWIW, i did a thermostat replacement a couple months ago when I did the fake water pump and the belts. All hoses seemed to be in proper shape at that time.

 

Could also be those notorious "J-Tubes, at the rear of the engine. These can be replaced by those with the dexterity of a Japanese automotive engineer. If it's the casting plugs on the rear of the engine, facing the transmission, you're looking at pulling the engine to get at them. And if it IS them, it's not going to get any better...the metal is probably corroded, and continuing to erode.