How to Replace Radiator Draincock ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: Elk Plain WA
St. Jude Donor '11
How to Replace Radiator Draincock ?
Recently drained my radiator to replace the water pump. Then the draincock leaked and I must have overtightened it and now won't tighten. Will be a bit** to get into that hole in the shroud to pull the draincock out. Do I start this task by pulling the shroud (hope not)?
Would like to know what others have experienced.
Would like to know what others have experienced.
Last edited by tdf; Jan 11, 2010 at 11:14 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 944
Likes: 11
From: Davie Florida
Recently drained my radiator to replace the water pump. Then the draincock leaked and I must have overtightened it and now won't tighten. Will be a bit** to get into that hole in the shroud to pull the draincock out. Do I start this task by pulling the shroud (hope not)?
Would like to know what others have experienced.
Would like to know what others have experienced.
Ant....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: Elk Plain WA
St. Jude Donor '11
Have the New Draincock
Thanks for the input. I thought of cutting the shroud as an alternative. Cutting may be the easiest solution. I might just go ahead and pull the radiator as I have seen several cases on here where the radiator has collected mass amounts of road debris. Problem for me is I already have 2 cars pulled apart that I need to spend my time on!
Team Owner
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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When you pull the shroud, take care not to break any of the A/C lines or fittings. That's an expensive lesson to learn, believe me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Davie Florida
Ant...
Safety Car
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When the draincock in my 89 leaked after a coolant change. I just pulled the plug out and put in a new plug from Autozone. And that fixed the leak. I didn't have to bother with putting in a new nut in the radiator. You might could try that. Just fill it up with water and pressure check it. If it still leaks. Then I guess you'll have to replace the nut as well.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: Elk Plain WA
St. Jude Donor '11
I'll try replacing just the draincock first as Josh suggested! If it will tighten up in the existing nut, I should be good. If not, then we go all the way in after the nut also. It's getting at the nut through the existing access hole that looked tricky.
Removal of the lower radiator hose, some 90 degree bent nose pliers and a mirror might get the job done (for the nut) from up top.
Removal of the lower radiator hose, some 90 degree bent nose pliers and a mirror might get the job done (for the nut) from up top.
Last edited by tdf; Jan 15, 2010 at 01:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 2
From: Elk Plain WA
St. Jude Donor '11
The existing nut would not allow the new draincock to tighten. So, I purchased a pair of 90 degree bend long reach needle nose pliers. After jacking the front of the car and placing my jack stands, I took a small mirror and the pliers under. Oops, the nose of the pliers too fat. Not a problem. Ground the nose of the pliers to a sharper point on my grinder. The extraction of the nut was then easy through the access hole. So no problem at all. Didn't remove anything or cut anything at all to get at the nut. New draincock (with new nut) is in and feels real snug! :-)
Last edited by tdf; Jan 17, 2010 at 11:31 AM. Reason: add
