Radiator drain plug stripped?
10-31-2014, 10:43 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Radiator drain plug stripped?
So I'm tackling the t-belt service with the apparently excellent instructions from Mr. Pirtle (seriously excellent looking - printed them out and everything. tempted to laminate)
(everyone should/probably does have this link saved: http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/tbelt.html )
And of course, I get to step 7, the first step that actually requires turning any screwdriver, and I'm already stuck. The blue radiator plug just spins. Doesn't pull out, doesn't leak at all, doesn't even really "feel" stripped, you know? Just doesn't move vertically in any way.
So - advice for this? Is there a trick to it or is it really probably stripped? (if the latter I'm likely going to drain via the hoses and worry about that some time in the future after the belt is done and I'm back on the road.)
Thanks for all the good advice in the past and the future!
-Keith
(everyone should/probably does have this link saved: http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/tbelt.html )
And of course, I get to step 7, the first step that actually requires turning any screwdriver, and I'm already stuck. The blue radiator plug just spins. Doesn't pull out, doesn't leak at all, doesn't even really "feel" stripped, you know? Just doesn't move vertically in any way.
So - advice for this? Is there a trick to it or is it really probably stripped? (if the latter I'm likely going to drain via the hoses and worry about that some time in the future after the belt is done and I'm back on the road.)
Thanks for all the good advice in the past and the future!
-Keith
10-31-2014, 11:27 PM
#2
Race Car
I don't want to be a jerk and say "search" but...
Yes, this is a frequently encountered problem...it isn't the threads in the boss that are stripped or the plug, generally overtorque or the tyranny of time bind the plug in there and it shears when loosened. Threads are OK, you just have a plug sheared in half. If you can get the top portion out-- often it will unthread or pop out with very little prying--a hot screwdriver pressed into the remaining portion can give enough purchase to turn counter-clockwise. There may be more nuanced approaches as well, check the new owners' thread and do a keyword search of the forum. But it shouldn't be as catastrophic as you might be thinking. And if it is take solace in the fact that a replacement radiator option just hit the market that is purpose built and well-priced.
Yes, this is a frequently encountered problem...it isn't the threads in the boss that are stripped or the plug, generally overtorque or the tyranny of time bind the plug in there and it shears when loosened. Threads are OK, you just have a plug sheared in half. If you can get the top portion out-- often it will unthread or pop out with very little prying--a hot screwdriver pressed into the remaining portion can give enough purchase to turn counter-clockwise. There may be more nuanced approaches as well, check the new owners' thread and do a keyword search of the forum. But it shouldn't be as catastrophic as you might be thinking. And if it is take solace in the fact that a replacement radiator option just hit the market that is purpose built and well-priced.
11-01-2014, 10:00 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
always keep a spare plug. They are cheap, and handy when you need them. As SMT said, hot screwdriver will do the trick. Or just dig it out if it is truly stripped. The more fun will come when you snap a water pump bolt off in the front of the block
11-01-2014, 10:29 AM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Yeah, I came to the conclusion that a tap set was an essential garage tool for an all aluminum engine when I was first cleaning it up (about this time last year.) PO claimed the TB service was done in '04 (20k miles ago) so hopefully they did the WP too and I'm only dealing with 10 years of stuck and not 30.