I was driving home the other day and my radiator drain plug blew out and i had to tow my truck home. I got a new plug to put in there but part of the old one is still in there so i cant get the new one in. The radiator guy i talked to said just push it in (thats waht she said jk lol) but that didnt work. Any suggestions i dont want to pull my radiator out.

 

This is on a 460.

 

can you get an easy out in there, if so you will be able to extract it that way, if not get thinking, is it a plastic plug, metal plug, or metal tank plastic tank?

 

plastic plug, plastic tank. What is a easy out?

 

OH BOY..lol... It looks like a big corkscrew(sorta..), and it is cut so it will grab when turned to the left, you drill a hole in the bolt, it grabs a bolt and removes it, well its supposed to but ive never had too good of luck with them on bolts but would work great for what you need to do. they also have some that are square, and cut with a taper, go to sears with the new plug, and if its got a hole in the middle, i think it does. ask them for an easy out that will fit in it, or try a parts store,

 

Here this shows one.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....&group_ID=1261

 

Alright thanks goin to sears now. I new what a easy out was just not what is was called lol.

 

oh ok, i think there actually extractors, but good luck, it should come right out, never seen one thats in very tight.

 

Now i got a new problem. The new plug i was able to get tight but it leaks. I cant get it to stop leaking and i took it out and now it dont seem to want to get tight. Theres a radiatior shop not to far but id rather not go there if i dont have to. Maybe he can fix the drainplug problem without nocking my head off but id have to drive it with no coolant. Im thinking about maybe puting some locktight on the plug or something to act as a seal. Im not sure what to do.

 

I had the same problem two months ago. The end of the draincock and the threaded clip stay inside the radiator when the draincock shaft breaks.
The draincock threaded clip needs to be carefully pried out with a pair of needlenose pliers and a screwdriver. It is held in place by two plastic barbs.
Once you get the old assembly out, all you need to do is push the new assy in, and tighten the draincock finger-tight. It will leak if you forgot the rubber washer or scratched the mating surface of the radiator.
The draincock can be purchased in the "Help" section of the auto parts store.

I am unhappy about having a plastic draincock, my engine is completely dependent on a 50 cent piece of plastic, and also the fact I bought my radiator last November and the draincock only survived six months, and caused me to be stranded 23 miles from home.
I would highly recommend that everyone find out what type of draincock is in their radiator and put a spare one in the glovebox.

 

you could always try some teflon tape, cheap yup, but may be effective. that is if the o ring is missing or something.

 

Well i wound up buyin another plug that worked it had a clip that cliped up in there. I think when the plug blew out it took the threads with it. But when i put the new plug in theres a little like tube made into the drain hole so i jb welded a screw in there because i didnt have the right size to stop it from leakin there. Now sometimes i have a drip leak. But im back on the road again I took it to the radiatior shop earlyer today to let him look at it which he didnt really want to do. He just said i was gona have to leave the truck for he didnt know how long and he would have to pull the radiatior. I was like screw that ill jb weld the damn plug in there b4 i did that.

 

well as long as it works, thats all that matters.

 

ATC 250sx and others, You must have a spare draincock assy with you in case of emergency. I will spell it out carefully...The draincock valve, or petcock, has three parts, a plastic female threaded assy. that snaps into the radiator drain, the plastic threaded male plug, and a rubber washer that rides on the plug. I stress the words plastic!!!

Here is what will happen, you will park the truck to buy a soda or smokes, you walk back outside and are ready to drive away but notice a very large puddle of antifreeze under your truck. After evaluating the problem you realize that your cooling system has a broken plastic draincock plug, and most of the coolant has drained out. you determine that you need an entire new draincock assy. and 12 quarts of 50/50 coolant. The kicker...it is 9:45PM and all the auto parts stores are closed, and you are 18 miles from home without a ride. Antifreeze isn't too hard to find, even water may work for a short ride, but how will you plug the radiator closed??

The draincock can't be fixed with tape, glue, JB weld or a cork, the draincock plug has a 3/16 inch plastic shaft, that is what snaps into two pieces. When it breaks you can pull the plug out with your finger, you will have the top half of the plug and washer in your hand, and the threaded tightening assy, will be left inside the radiator.

The draincock can be fixed if you have the 4 dollar spare in your glovebox. I removed a broken assy from my radiator while in a parking lot, with a fingernail clipper and a small screwdriver, the real problem is that you have to remove the draincock bottom end by feel, you probably won't be able to see inside the drain while the radiator is installed.

 

I know im getting a spare. I have one but i dont think its the right one. As soon as autozone gets another one im gona get one. That is a very good thing to keep a spare of.