Radiator Drain Tap Trouble

[pao7psb]

Hi All,

Any advice greatly appreciated on this one - I removed the drain tap on the back of my radiator ('67 1098) to replace the coolant, but...I can't get it back on again! My initial diagnosis is that the thread is too corroded to be able to get back in (you can just make this out in the picture), but I am not so sure as the hole seems to be able to accomodate the smooth bit above the thread on the part.

I have tried to source a replacement for this component without luck - I have purchased a part from ESM (RAD107), but this does not fit - although it is in two parts, and I think one of the parts should be attached to the radiator, and I am not sure how to do this?

Any help appreciated as at the moment I cannot put coolant in the car to be able to drive her [frame][/frame]

[les]

Yes the curved bit in the picture should be left on the rad and the bolt should unscrew from it. In this case the threaded piece that was soldered into the rad has broken away. It's radiator out to repair, you might want to just blank the hole up and in future, drain via a hose.

[mike.perry]

That plug looks a mess, I am not surprised that it will not fit, you have probably b@@@@@@d the thread in the rad. You will have to remove the rad, find out what size the thread is and re tap it. You will nead a new plug. I would advise fitting a proper drain tap so that you do not have to unscrew it.
If you don't know what I am talking about then take the rad to the nearest repair depot and let them sort it out

[bmcecosse]

My advice is to NEVER touch the drain tap. Yes - it will need soldering now - and I agree - just solder on a patch and throw the silly drain away!

[hanvyj]

This happened to me, as the first reply says its sheered out the part of the radiator that has the thread. It would have to be soldered back, or as above just patched up completely. It doesn't look to be in decent enough condition to be put back in.

[kennatt]

My advice is to NEVER touch the drain tap.........................................exactly,I don't know why they ever fit them just asking for trouble,bottom hose connection every time for me,can't remember ever even looking for a drain tap on mine

[autolycus]

... unless you've gone/fallen for the waterless coolant option, and ever need to drain your system, say to change the top hose. In which case you'll want to save every precious drop, so a decent drain c*ck, with a short hose extension, will be of benefit.

It also makes life easier if you have cats or dogs around and want to make sure you don't leave any antifreeze on the drive for them to drink.

Kevin

[kennatt]

Yes waterless coolant,another absolute snake oil again,Tap water is free and antifeeze,will not need a mortgage,can't believe people actually buy the stuff.It was tried by a couple on the scimitar forum(The 3 litre essex in the scimitar is renowned for over heating ,one of the very few claimed benefits of the stuff is a higher boiling point)One guy thought he would spend ,is it about £70 ,for a fill,to find that he still overheated when he stopped after a high speed blast and blew half of it out of the overflow and down the drain,rather than sort out the radiator instead.Wonder what they come up with next,maybe rod brakes so you don't ever need to change the brake fluid ,never thought about getting rid of the stray cats in my garden like that but ahha thanks for the idea

[bmcecosse]

Hahahahaha - rod brakes - good idea!!! And yes - I believe the horrible cats just love a wee saucer of anti-freeze.......

[pao7psb]

Thanks for the advice here, so far so good thanks to the good offices of Mr Matt Tomkins, radiator is back in and I'll go for a test run tomorrow all being well.

Cheers,

Paul.

[bmcecosse]

Great success!