Broken Radiator Drain Plug?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 771
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From: Washington District of Columbia
Broken Radiator Drain Plug?
Front-end on ramps, wet ground and drizzling rain. I couldn't really see
what I was doing, but managed to get a pair of pliers on the drain plug.
Pliers!? Pliers!? That plastic piece-o-crap kept breaking off. Who's design was that? I don't think it budged though. I ended up draining from the
bottom radiator hose. BTW, I'm thinking that draining some of the coolant would allow me to disconnect what seems like a 3/4" heater hose that was dripping down on the wires & opti
. After pulling that
hose it seemed like a couple o' pints of coolant came gushing out all over the rags I had in place. Bottom line is I didn't finish what I started
and have go at it again. Because I was concerned about the Opti, I
filled the system so I take it for a spin to see if all was well. And it was.
Question: Is there a TOOL for removing the radiator "drain plug"? If not,
how is this done. I'm sure most of the plugs have seized up over time.
Thanks again.
what I was doing, but managed to get a pair of pliers on the drain plug.
Pliers!? Pliers!? That plastic piece-o-crap kept breaking off. Who's design was that? I don't think it budged though. I ended up draining from the
bottom radiator hose. BTW, I'm thinking that draining some of the coolant would allow me to disconnect what seems like a 3/4" heater hose that was dripping down on the wires & opti
. After pulling thathose it seemed like a couple o' pints of coolant came gushing out all over the rags I had in place. Bottom line is I didn't finish what I started
and have go at it again. Because I was concerned about the Opti, I
filled the system so I take it for a spin to see if all was well. And it was.
Question: Is there a TOOL for removing the radiator "drain plug"? If not,
how is this done. I'm sure most of the plugs have seized up over time.
Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
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From: Delta B.C. Canada
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Just drained mine for the first time yesterday, and I agree, the plug design is poor. Half of the tab on mine was broken, but I was able to loosen it with careful use of pliers. If your tab is completely busted off, I'd be curious to know how you eventually get the plug loose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Use very small size Vice Gripe Pliers. Turn counter clockwise until you can turn it with your fingers if you haven't broken off the plactic tab. I too had a problem until I tried my vise grips. These pliers are no longer than 4 inches which gives you plenty of room to clear the frame.
Just did mine yesterday. No problems. If you get it out get a new plug.
Jim
Just did mine yesterday. No problems. If you get it out get a new plug.
Jim
