2001 radiator drain plug broken?

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Mar 16, 2007 | 03:25 PM

CalHusker

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Racer

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 277

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From: Brentwood Calif

2001 radiator drain plug broken?

I tried to turn the white plastic drain plug on the bottom of the radiator to drain the coolent. It would not come out all it does is turn and no coolent came out. I ended up dropping the bottom hose and draining it that way. but now i am wondering is the plug broken or just turning in there freely?

No leaking from the drain plug yet after a warm up cruise.

Mar 16, 2007 | 04:48 PM

Oldvetter

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From: Waldorf MD

You only turn it 90 degrees, then you pull it out. You can shear off the pins. You can buy a new plug/valve for less than $5 at NAPA (don't ask how I know

)

Mar 16, 2007 | 06:13 PM

CalHusker

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Racer

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 277

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From: Brentwood Calif

Yup I broke it. Just got back from the Chev dealer in antioch. less than 5 bucks for a lesson learned. Not bad.

I asked him if he had a backup in case I did it again HA!

Now to figure out how to get the old part out. Think I will let it cool down for a bit and think about it.

Thanks for the answer.

Calhusker

Mar 16, 2007 | 06:47 PM

Sleazy Rider

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Joined: Sep 2004

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From: Conroe Texas

been there, done that, got the wet t-shirt.

i just sheared the pin off and pulled the body out with a pair of pliars. but by then i had the radiator out as i thought it was cracked around the drain area until i took a good look at the design of it. there is a groove for the pin to travel in to open, close, and lock.

Mar 16, 2007 | 06:57 PM

T VETTE

Melting Slicks

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From: center of Kalifornia

The things I learn here are just incredible.

Mar 16, 2007 | 07:05 PM

CalHusker

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 277

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From: Brentwood Calif

I will try to get it out without breaking the plastic around it. Thanks sleazy rider and Oldvetter for the for the advice.

I will get hold of it with some pliers and gently turn and pull till I find the slot if the pin is still in there.

I will also write down for the future which way the thing spins so maybe I wont crack it off next time...HA!

CalHusker

Mar 16, 2007 | 09:39 PM

LoneStarFRC

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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sleazy Rider

been there, done that, got the wet t-shirt.

Now there's an image we can all live without.

BTW, did you use regular pliars or needle nose pliars?

Jun 29, 2017 | 06:28 PM

GotMyVette

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Joined: Aug 2011

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You'd think they could do a better design

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC

Now there's an image we can all live without.

BTW, did you use regular pliars or needle nose pliars?

Mine is stuck too. I try to turn it a little, but there's no way. Back and forth small turns (5 degrees or so) didn't loosen it up. I'm thinking it's not the white plastic nub sticking out that's the problem, I'm thinking the petcock inside the radiator is frozen.

If possible, could I get just a little more detail what that thing looks like? No hurry, I too drained by the lower hose (boy was that a PITA) changed my water pump and refilled. The Dex-cool lucily was on sale at O'reilly's for $16 so I'm not looking forward to another draining and refilling.