Is there is specific tool to loosen this radiator drain plug?

[atikovi]

Saturn Vue. It's tight even when loosened and there is no room for a long screwdriver. Flat blade screwdriver just cams out. Phillips won't fit. Drag link socket too thick. Been using a flat blade screwdriver but after 4 or 5 uses during a drain and refill to flush the system, the head is pretty messed up. There must be a specific tool for this. + shaped that fits perfect but I've search before and found nothing.

 

[maxdustington]

Replace or screw and glue a self-tapper in there. Looks like a PH3+ to me but not deep enough.

 

[redhat]

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Offset-Right-Angle-Screwdriver/dp/B00PSPTSAK

What about those, like an offset phillips screwdriver.

 

[Eddie]

Yes, an off set blade screw driver. Ed

 

[Rand]

get a big phillips screwdriver and grind the end down

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Eddie
Yes, an off set blade screw driver. Ed


Just cams out same as a straight blade screwdriver. I'm really looking for a factory specific tool, not something homemade.

 

[Sunnyinhollister]

Chapman Set

 

[SZR48207]

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

LOL I'm sure for only $100 GM has a specialty tool that will do it!

 

[Lyman]

Save yourself a lot of aggravation. Pull the lower hose. It's much quicker too.

 

[andyd]

X2

 

[doitmyself]

I would make my own tool, but this should work: Google General Tools 807. Or, that Chapman set above.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by Blkstanger
Save yourself a lot of aggravation. Pull the lower hose. It's much quicker too.


I'm not taking a scalding shower 5 times in a row. That's the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.

 

[mk378]

A sane person would let the system cool off before opening it.

It's one of the first idiot-inspired warning labels to appear under the hood.

 

[dishdude]

I always drain cold.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by mk378
A sane person would let the system cool off before opening it.

It's one of the first idiot-inspired warning labels to appear under the hood.


But then the thermostat closes and an hour long coolant flush takes 5 hours. A sane person has the correct tools to do the job.

 

[KneeGrinder]

Try cutting a short piece of bar stock whatever size width it is that you need, 1/8, 3/16th's and use it like a coin to turn a screw loose, except you will turn your drain plug with it. If you don't have bar stock, maybe a nickel is close enough to the width, grind it. But there is not going to be much for your fingers to grip. Maybe use needle nose vise grips on the nickel to crack it loose. Just a thought.

 

[andyd]

The good ol' M 20 in the 528e had a block drain. Also a drain plug on the gas tank. And the same rassen frassen cross on the radiator drain plug. If it is over 10 yrs old, it may be too stuck in there and too brittle to come out whole. IIrc, I removed the radiator to replace it because it was in an awkward spot. But that was 20 yrs ago and stuff like this was fun back then.

 

[Lyman]

Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by mk378
A sane person would let the system cool off before opening it.

It's one of the first idiot-inspired warning labels to appear under the hood.


But then the thermostat closes and an hour long coolant flush takes 5 hours. A sane person has the correct tools to do the job.

Pull the thermostat.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Use a knife or blade, or possibly even a key, going through it like a flat screwdriver would. But the difference is, the longer length of the knife/blade as opposed to a flathead screwdriver is that you can grab it from both sides of the screw.

Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by mk378
A sane person would let the system cool off before opening it.

It's one of the first idiot-inspired warning labels to appear under the hood.


But then the thermostat closes and an hour long coolant flush takes 5 hours. A sane person has the correct tools to do the job.


It doesn't take that long with the Lisle funnel