Broken plastic radiator drain plug

[atikovi]

Can't get vice grips on it as not enough sticks out. Would like to drill a small hole in it and screw in a left handed sheet metal screw but nobody I could find has them. Thought about a broken dipstick remover like, https://www.amazon.com/CTA-Tools-5405-Dipstick-Extractor/dp/B094PXXT2Q but that could take days and is bit expensive. So right now I heated up the tip of a small screwdriver and jabbed it in. Waiting for it to cool and harden before trying to loosen. Any other tips?

 

[atikovi]

Worked like a charm.

 

[Trav]

Good thinking.

 

[GON]

Just a FYI, many replacement radiators, including OEM, do not have a functioning petcock. It is there in some capacity, but is not designed to ever be removed.

 

[wpod]

I would have just removed the lower radiator hose.

 

[atikovi]

I would have just removed the lower radiator hose.

Suppose you also remove the oil pan to change the oil?

 

[RooflessVW]

Suppose you also remove the oil pan to change the oil?

Not even close to the same thing. And you wouldn't have broken the drain plug.

 

[Chris142]

Good luck finding a new one

 

[atikovi]

Good luck finding a new one

Direct fit, https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-61137-HELP-Radiator-Drain/dp/B000C5E7T8 but I'm getting https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-61114...ords=61114&qid=1637174266&s=automotive&sr=1-1 Much easier to turn than using a Phillips screwdriver.

 

[atikovi]

Not even close to the same thing. And you wouldn't have broken the drain plug.

You are right. Removing the oil pan is cleaner and simpler than removing an old stiff radiator hose filled with scalding coolant spilling all over the place, if you can even reach it.

 

[Lubener]

That's why I leave these cheap brittle plastic petcocks alone and pull the lower hose. Coolant also drains much more quickly and more old coolant comes out. Don't know why you are draining scalding hot coolant. I do it cold.

 

[atikovi]

Not practical when doing a proper flush involving half a dozen drain and refills. Maybe your lower hose is easy and convenient to remove, but not here.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I punch a big ol' hole in the stinkin' radiator.
Then a couple of tubes of Alumaseal and off I go...
Old skool baby!

 

[4WD]

I punch a big ol' hole in the stinkin' radiator.
Then a couple of tubes of Alumaseal and off I go...
Old skool baby!

Think you need more Tesla’s Jeff

 

[JeffKeryk]

Think you need more Tesla’s Jeff

I punched a hole in the stupid battery. Dumped the Alumaseal down the charge holes and plugged in the 240.
Worked great! No more overheating! I figure this and Block Seal outta work for the oil service as well!

 

[zzyzzx]

They make a tool to prevent breakage:

 

[spasm3]

Worked like a charm.

View attachment 78141

View attachment 78142

Nice! I'm going to remember that trick, if i ever need it.

 

[zzyzzx]

Now I'm finding some metal radiator petcock socket adapters. Probably going to get one.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Modern Chevy truck rads do not have drain or a radiator cap.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Suppose you also remove the oil pan to change the oil?

Now, now, removing the lower hose is the exact procedure to drain a modern Chevy truck rad.