Broken Rad. drain valve
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
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From: Pasco WA
Broken Rad. drain valve
As title states, I just jacked up the car to start my Vararam/Elite screen install, and I noticed a drip from near the rad. drain valve. I noticed the plastic was cracked around the nylon valve, and water was seeping out. I recently completed a H/C install, and drove the car quite a bit without a problem, so I'm not sure what caused it. Would it be OK to drain the radiator, and dry off the area and try and silicone it? Which product would be best for at least a temporary fix? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Are you sure what you are seeing is a crack and not just the slot that the pin on the drain valve rides in?
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Are you sure what you are seeing is a crack and not just the slot that the pin on the drain valve rides in?
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
You might be right. I'll check it out again tonight. Of course when it started to leak, I assumed the worse. Every time I mod something, another part breaks nearby.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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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
Are you sure what you are seeing is a crack and not just the slot that the pin on the drain valve rides in?
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
Also, it may be that the valve is not seated all the way. I like to use a 1/4" drive nut-driver handle.It only takes a 1/4 turn to open/close and if it doesn't come out easily after opening, I just use a small pair of needle-nose pliers to grip it and pull it out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Are you sure what you are seeing is a crack and not just the slot that the pin on the drain valve rides in?
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
The valve has an 0-ring seal and unless there is really a crack all the way into the tank, I would think the o-ring would seal if it is in good condition.
I would drain the radiator, pull the drain valve all the way out so you can inspect it, and it may be that all you need is a new drain valve.
i just pulled my radiator 2 weeks ago and thought the same thing when i saw the slot for the drain valve. after looking at it with another gearhead, we came to realize that was the way it was manufactured. just go to a auto parts store or gm and get a new one, about $6.00.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
It's kind of weird.... When I jacked up the car, I noticed a drip... Messed with the valve and drained less than a pint of coolant, and then closed the valve. Worked on the car for a couple of hours,(Vararam/radiator screen installs) and the drip had stopped. Cleaned off the little shelf under the valve, and left it till the next day. Now two days, and no further leak. Maybe the valve was just on the edge of open? I'll just keep an eye on it in the future. Thanks all.
