Radiator drain plug leaking ?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
Radiator drain plug leaking ?
1994 E150, club wagon, 5.8
I flushed radiator yesterday, got home today and found the radiator drain plug leaking. Its not the original radiator and I cannot find a pic online of what the plug looks like, they all look very different than mine.
Does anyone know what the thread size and pitch should be if there is a standard?
I cannot tighten it anymore without it snapping, Its plastic.
I really dont want to change the whole radiator just because of a cheap plastic drain plug.
Thanks.
I flushed radiator yesterday, got home today and found the radiator drain plug leaking. Its not the original radiator and I cannot find a pic online of what the plug looks like, they all look very different than mine.
Does anyone know what the thread size and pitch should be if there is a standard?
I cannot tighten it anymore without it snapping, Its plastic.
I really dont want to change the whole radiator just because of a cheap plastic drain plug.
Thanks.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
Found out that its a 12" x 20 thread but not NPT, its just straight threads.
Ended up buying an assortment of orings and installed the closest one in the package. Went on a test drive and it its holding. I also picked up a 12 x 20 steel bolt also, that is straight threads not NPT, looks like it might be a oil drain plug but if the plastic one fails I will have this one and another oring as a backup.
Ended up buying an assortment of orings and installed the closest one in the package. Went on a test drive and it its holding. I also picked up a 12 x 20 steel bolt also, that is straight threads not NPT, looks like it might be a oil drain plug but if the plastic one fails I will have this one and another oring as a backup.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 786
Likes: 26
This is exactly why I never touch those stupid things. Too often, once you open them up, you can't get them closed again.
If I want to drain a radiator, I disconnect the lower radiator hose.
The last time I used one of those it took a bunch of penetrating oil and several hours of wiggling to get it back in.
Never again.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
Yea, this radiator plug is some kind of proprietary thing. After looking at dozens of different plugs I didnt find one that would work. I found a steel plug that has the same 1/2 x 20 thead that will fit but it is a oil drain plug for another kind of vehicle, but it also needs an oring.
I drove on a pretty far trip the other day and the plug/oring is holding.
I drove on a pretty far trip the other day and the plug/oring is holding.
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