Help! Stripped Engine Block Coolant Drain Plug

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Jan 11, 2011 | 12:01 PM

nitro3421

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 251

Likes: 6

Help! Stripped Engine Block Coolant Drain Plug

I'm in the process of doing a coolant flush for the first time on this truck and the 1/4" drive head on the drain plug on the drivers side of the engine block is completely stripped and I can't get the plug out.

I'm going out to pick up some PB blaster and will try to wedge a flat head screw driver in diagonally to get it out.

Any other suggestions?

If I can't get it out, can I just do a few extra rounds of flushing? I havn't tried the passenger side block plug yet but I'll assume for now that I can get it out.

Jan 11, 2011 | 12:19 PM

cavitation

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 319

Likes: 1

From: Kirkland, WA

When I did a flush a few months ago I only removed the plug on the driver side. I did the initial garden hose flush with T and then 2 additional flushes with distilled water before final fill. My sense is that is plently. Just remember to remove thermostat from housing while flushing.

Jan 11, 2011 | 12:23 PM

izzybird

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 822

Likes: 9

From: Leander Texas

Agreed w/ Cavitation, you'll be fine leaving that plug in and continuing with the flush procedure.

Jan 11, 2011 | 01:20 PM

cj45lc

Cargo Master

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 2,298

Likes: 94

From: Delta, CO

That's why I didn't mess with mine, tried to turn & wouldn't budge so I thought it could turn into a mess. Like was said just flush it good w/o thermostat & let it ride

Jan 12, 2011 | 12:51 AM

nitro3421

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 251

Likes: 6

Thanks for the helpful advice. I tried for another 2 hours to get that dam thing out but it's in there for good. The passenger side one is just about as stuck. I did a nice long T hose flush and I picked up several gallons of distilled water to really get everything out.

That tiny 1/4" drive plug seems ridiculous on a motor of this size... It didn't take much force to strip out the square opening.

Jan 12, 2011 | 07:26 AM

riverrat41

Postmaster

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 2,667

Likes: 1

From: Glen Rose,Texas

I would suggest changing the thermostat beings you are flushing.You can remove the theremostat and bolt the housing back in place.Drain all you can from the radiator.Fill with DI or distilled water and crank the truck and let the water pump flush your system.Do this until you do not see any colored fluid.Reinstall a new theremostat.Add the new coolant to the recommended amount and top off with the distilled or DI water.
Check the mixture to make sure it is in range for your climate.