Knowing nothing about engines (altho I've replaced the started and the alternator and the power steering pump and the battery) I have what I believe to be a serious problem. My wife called me to tell me the radiator blew up so when I got home I checked. The fluid does indeed gush out when I refilled the radiator but it didn't come from the radiator...it appears to be flowing from a crack in a silver metal recessed plug on the starter side of the engine. Is this the freeze plug or is it a crack in the block which means I have to scrap the van?

 

Your description sure sounds like a freeze plug.

 

ok...omw to get one now...wish me luck...never changed/replaced one before

 

How'd the job come out? I did one recently on my 3.0 liter. I wasn't able to get a 'real' freeze plug back in there due to the limited workspace - went with a rubber expansion plug. They're easy to get in, but they only last a few years.