Radiator drain plug mystery...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 36
From: Scituate, MA
Radiator drain plug mystery...
I have a leak coming from my c5's drain ****. I have put in a new Dorman plug #61133 plug, after removing a similar replacement one that I put in about a year ago during a water pump replacement. I have turned it by hand only and it seems to stop at about 80 degrees clockwise. I'm seeing in some threads a hint that there maybe "click" or notch of resistance at the end of the turn clockwise to lock it in place, but it seems like Im going to break the neck of the radiator if I push harder, or use pliars. The plug is also not firmly in place either, as it will wiggle back and forth with only finger force. Any ideas on this?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
I am out of my depth giving repair advice , but if I remember correctly, my petcock had a positive engagement, there was no question about end of travel in either direction. It seemed constructed of a white nylon material.
Since you are at a dead end, it might be time to try the GM part. The knock off mold might have worn, effecting fitment, or the material now used might have a different shrink rate as it cools, verses a previous material, or you could have simply gotten a counterfeit part.
Good luck, my next suggestion would have been a bunch of teflon sealant tape, and nobody wants that action.
Since you are at a dead end, it might be time to try the GM part. The knock off mold might have worn, effecting fitment, or the material now used might have a different shrink rate as it cools, verses a previous material, or you could have simply gotten a counterfeit part.
Good luck, my next suggestion would have been a bunch of teflon sealant tape, and nobody wants that action.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 6
From: Eastern NC
Is it possible that the metal pin from the original plug may still be in there?
This weekend I flushed my radiator for the first time. When I went to remove the plug it was stripped. I used needle nose pliers to remove it and the metal pin was missing.
I figured it fell out somewhere and went and bought the replacement plug.
When installed it was like you said, 80 degrees. I believe the little metal pin may still be in there.
I don't have any leaks right now but am not going to rest until I go back in and make sure.
This weekend I flushed my radiator for the first time. When I went to remove the plug it was stripped. I used needle nose pliers to remove it and the metal pin was missing.
I figured it fell out somewhere and went and bought the replacement plug.
When installed it was like you said, 80 degrees. I believe the little metal pin may still be in there.
I don't have any leaks right now but am not going to rest until I go back in and make sure.
