Drainage tap

[alanlad]

Looking to fit a drainage tap on my 1969 1098cc,at present it has just a nut. Need to remove this nut does anyone know the size spanner required?
Thank you

[bmcecosse]

It won't be a 'nut' - but why do this ?? Just undo the plug and water will run out. May be 9/16 or 5/8 AF.

[alanlad]

Going to replace the hoses and try and get the heater working, fine I'll just take the nut off and clear as good as I can
Thank you

[bmcecosse]

It's a plug.... Heater not working - have you fitted a new (88 or 92) thermostat? Is the tap at rear of head fully open? Also worth checking the hoses are not pinched or kinked -and then back flush with a garden hose... Fiddling with the drain plug may or may not get some sludge out of the block.. Someone recommends a dish washer tablet or two in the system....

[MarkyB]

Aren't dishwasher tablets mostly salt?

[alanlad]

New thermostat fitted with new hose,have new hose for heater to be fitted after I remove and clean out the heater.
Not sure about the dishwasher tablets but I'll have a look.
Thank you

[bmcecosse]

No no - not salt. I've not heard of it before - but report is that it shifted the muck!

[alanlad]

Have a dishwasher and as I think of it it my work?
alan

[bmcecosse]

Worth a try -just one tablet and take the car for a good run - then drain off!

[alanlad]

Agree worth a try

Thank you

[MarkyB]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dishwasher_salt
Tablets seem to be miniature chemistry sets.

[alanlad]

Not sure I wish to find out what a tablet is made of.

Thank you.

[MarkyB]

Ingredients

To accomplish these functions, the following ingredients may be included depending on the formulation and product form:
SURFACTANT (nonionic) _ lowers the surface tension of water so that it will more quickly wet out the surfaces and the soils. Lowering the surface tension makes the water sheet off dishes and not dry in spots. The surfactant also helps remove and emulsify fatty soils like butter and cooking fat. Nonionic surfactants are used because they have the lowest sudsing characteristics.
BUILDER (complex phosphates) _ combines with water hardness minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) and holds them in solution so that the minerals cannot combine with food soils and so that neither the minerals themselves nor the mineral/food soil combination will leave insoluble spots or film on dishes. A builder helps maintain a desirable level of alkalinity, necessary for good soil removal.
CORROSION INHIBITOR (sodium silicate) _ helps protect machine parts, prevent the removal of china patterns and the corrosion of metals such as aluminum.
CHLORINE COMPOUND _ aids in sanitizing, helps make protein soils like egg and milk soluble, aids in removing such stains as coffee or tea and lessens spotting of glassware.
SPECIAL ADDITIVES (sodium aluminate, boric oxide, aluminum phosphate, etc.) _ may be used to inhibit overglaze and pattern removal from fine china.
ADDITIONAL ALKALIS (sodium carbonate, trisodium phosphate) _ may be used to aid in handling greasy food soils.
PERFUME _ covers the chemical odor of the base product and stale food odors which might otherwise emanate from the dishwasher.
PROCESSING AIDS _ generally inert materials that allow the active ingredients to be combined into a usable form.

[bmcecosse]

Excellent - so it has a corrosion inhibitor and will smell nice too!!

[alanlad]

Read my box and it cleans tea stains as well.
Had a go with the spanners this morning,both sizes are to small. So tried them all and 3/4 is just to big 11/16 just to small?
Tried and nothing that I have will fit the plug!!! Snow for this afternoon will will stop me working as it's to cold in the garage
Thank you

[liammonty]

I'll take cover as I'll doubtless be shot down in flames for this, but I used a metric spanner (can't remember what size) to remove the water drain plug on my block the other month- it was near enough a perfect fit. Even if it wasn't, this isn't a critical component! Give it a go- you know it makes sense

[alanlad]

Depending on the weather will have a go tomorrow.
Thank you

[alanlad]

18 mm is the size same as the wheel nuts now all I have to do is get it to turn now, any thoughts?
Thank you

[bmcecosse]

Wheel nuts are NOT 18mm - but they are very close.... I don't know why you are so keen to disturb this plug - I would leave well alone. What if it shears off???

[alanlad]

It's only to gave the water system a good clean out but having had a go I was concerned that it has been rusted in since 1969.
So if I change the heater hose,clean the heater and drop in a dishwasher tablet this may do? If so I'm more then happy as it's freezing in the garage.
I use a 18mm socket on the wheels as its the best fit I could find.
Thank you