Another stuck radiator drain plug
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Tallahassee FL
Another stuck radiator drain plug
Went to drain and discovered someone replaced the stock 1/4” fitted plug with the turn key Dorman version, but just my luck that it was stripped and free spins. Got a replacement, but can’t get the first one out even with pliers yanking on it. It will turn freely at this point(there’s some resistance that would be expected of a normally functioning one), just will not pull out. I’ve attempted rotating it into several different positions thinking maybe it was keyed a certain way, but no luck. Even tried prying with a screwdriver just under the head, but still nada, no coolant drainage, no pulling out of drain valve, just a colorful display of seaworthy vocabulary.
I’ve searched and read posts of the plug not functioning correctly, but most of them could just be replaced after being pulled out. I’m not sure as to if I should just pull harder and risk damaging the radiator or...? Any help appreciated.
I’ve searched and read posts of the plug not functioning correctly, but most of them could just be replaced after being pulled out. I’m not sure as to if I should just pull harder and risk damaging the radiator or...? Any help appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 369
Likes: 59
From: North Georgia
Exactly!
I just drained my fluid and it took a day of spinning it and spinning it until I said "Screw It!" and grabbed the biggest needle nose pliers and yanked real hard to pull it out of its socket and bingo, it spayed fluid all over the place. I thought I broke it, but that's what you have to do to get it loose.
Good luck.
Spaggs
I just drained my fluid and it took a day of spinning it and spinning it until I said "Screw It!" and grabbed the biggest needle nose pliers and yanked real hard to pull it out of its socket and bingo, it spayed fluid all over the place. I thought I broke it, but that's what you have to do to get it loose.
Good luck.
Spaggs
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 1
From: Tallahassee FL
So turns out my radiator takes a screw in plug, not a quarter turn pinned plug like what I’m seeing comes stock. From the outside you can’t tell, and the threads are fairly fine so it acts like it spins freely with minimal in/out movement. Finally got the thing out and flushed, but now I’m wondering what kind of radiator it is.
