Radiator drain plug
11-01-2003, 12:04 PM
#1
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Radiator drain plug
Ok well i thought i would do something productive on my 951 today and so i went to go flush my water system, so i took the plug out to take all that nasty antifreez out and pluged it back up to fill it with water, anyway being the stupid idot i am and not realizing this car is from 87 and maybe this plastic drain plug may be brittle, the blue plug snaped!
so now this little project is a big one, where can i get that little blue plastic drain plug and how the hell do i get the half of one out of my radiator? also, has this happend to anyone else? lol i feel like a idot
so now this little project is a big one, where can i get that little blue plastic drain plug and how the hell do i get the half of one out of my radiator? also, has this happend to anyone else? lol i feel like a idot
11-01-2003, 12:52 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
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This has happened to me before, and it is not a difficult problem to resolve so don't worry. When it happened to me I was in the process of replacing my head gasket with Nickhance, and while tightening the drain plug I stripped it. Paragon Products has the little blue drain plug for only a few bucks, and if you have them ship it Priority Mail it should be cheaper and arrive sooner.
Now for removing the plug from the radiator...
My suggestion is to find the smallest screwdriver you can, and use a lighter to heat the tip of it to the point where it is hot enough to stick into the blue drain plug. This is the method I used and it worked perfectly. Others said use a torch, but a lighter provides enough heat.
Now for removing the plug from the radiator...
My suggestion is to find the smallest screwdriver you can, and use a lighter to heat the tip of it to the point where it is hot enough to stick into the blue drain plug. This is the method I used and it worked perfectly. Others said use a torch, but a lighter provides enough heat.
11-01-2003, 01:58 PM
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no, you dont understand its in the radiator.im just taking the radiator out now. but im having so trouble getting the fans out of the way. damn those fans!snyone have any advice for taking those nasty fans out of there?
11-01-2003, 03:14 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Oh no!
This exact thing happened to me before.
And there was just no way I was getting it out except by taking out the radiator.
The radiotor comes out the top with about an hour or two's work, and then you can just shake it out.
Good luck.
edit: I think you should just need to unplug the fans and they come off after a few bolts.. ??
Don't remember that well.
This exact thing happened to me before.
And there was just no way I was getting it out except by taking out the radiator.
The radiotor comes out the top with about an hour or two's work, and then you can just shake it out.
Good luck.
edit: I think you should just need to unplug the fans and they come off after a few bolts.. ??
Don't remember that well.
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11-01-2003, 04:21 PM
#9
Geaux Tigers!
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Originally posted by turbite
Oh no!
The radiotor comes out the top
Oh no!
The radiotor comes out the top
11-01-2003, 04:52 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
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Originally posted by ELLSSUU
I don't think that that is correct unless your cars are different from mine it would take cutting the top radiator mount to get it out. I pulled mine out the bottom after removing the lower mount.
I don't think that that is correct unless your cars are different from mine it would take cutting the top radiator mount to get it out. I pulled mine out the bottom after removing the lower mount.
For those of us who can't jack up the car very high, this is very easy.
11-01-2003, 04:53 PM
#13
Geaux Tigers!
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Yes the lower mount is difficult. I sort of bent mine a little, okay alot, to get it out. When re-installing I used a jack in the middle of the mount to help re-position it and straighten it out.
I took the fans off first. You have to be a contortionist with long arms but eventually they will drop down. It seemed to give the radiator more room, and you'll need it, to come out the bottom.
I took the fans off first. You have to be a contortionist with long arms but eventually they will drop down. It seemed to give the radiator more room, and you'll need it, to come out the bottom.
11-02-2003, 01:57 AM
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Well after about 30 minutes of fustration with those fans that seem to be wedged in there in the worst possible way, I was so pissed I just had to close the garage door and do something else. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day, I have removed the fans from the radiator before to do the thermal fan switch and never had this mush of a problem!
11-02-2003, 02:27 AM
#15
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Do you still have the a/c belt and power sterring belt on the car? Removing them allows for a little extra wiggle room.
Have you tried flushing water from the top, to see if it'll come out?
951 radiators come out the top, per the factory manual and my own experience.
I have a spare blue plastic plug I would give you out of pity, if helpful. If you don't want to wait, get an M10 x 1.5 x 30 bolt with a washer, put a little teflon tape on it, and use it in place of the plastic plug. Most people don't use the plug anyway, since it gets old and breaks.
Have you tried flushing water from the top, to see if it'll come out?
951 radiators come out the top, per the factory manual and my own experience.
I have a spare blue plastic plug I would give you out of pity, if helpful. If you don't want to wait, get an M10 x 1.5 x 30 bolt with a washer, put a little teflon tape on it, and use it in place of the plastic plug. Most people don't use the plug anyway, since it gets old and breaks.