Radiator Replacement

[luder]

Hi Eric, all,

Your radiator video helped quite a bit! However I somehow broke the spinner off the plastic drain plug, and only noticed it after I completed installation. Now I need to pull the installed new radiator out and somehow replace the drain plug (it is also leaking from it of course).

Any suggestions how on how to remove (do I drill it out or something) the broken plastic drain plug would be greatly appreciated.

Topic

[sig061]

Should come out easy. Use a small pick or something to spin it… If not super glue something on it that you can spin.

[college man]

You may be able to drill a hole in it. Then stick a
screw driver in the hole and turn it out.

[John B Kobberstad]

Buy the new drain plug so that you can see what you will have to deal with first. If you have an easy out you may be able to drill a small hole and use the easy out to remove it. A hair dryer may be able to warm it up and make it easier to remove. I would try and remove it while it is still on the vehicle if possible.

[spelunkerd]

Ideally it would be best if you could fix it in a way that still allows it to be used. However if you can’t, then a second option is to just glue it into place. But I’ve never had to glue a radiator plug so your guess is as good as mine. I’m not even sure what kind of plastic it is.

Those plugs get stuck all the time, and it they do then I don’t twist too hard to get them off. Instead I just take off a lower hose to drain fluid that way. I reckon it’s easier to take off a lower hose than it is to repair a broken plastic drain plug.

[luder]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Called the manufacturer. They told me that they need to pull a radiator off the shelf in the warehouse to find out the thrad width on the draincock (do they know what they’re manufacturing??)! I guess I have to buy a new draincock from a different manufacturer that fits; this manufacturer doesn’t sell directly anyway and as far as I know there are no spare CSF draincocks sold through distributors. Aftermarket has its disadvantages.

Do you have a CSF 2568 a.k.a CSF W0133-1605833 radiator by any chance in your Honda?

Thanks!

[John B Kobberstad]

See if Dorman has an aftermarket replacement for your radiator petcock drain.

[college man]

Try an auto part store. Take it with you.

[luder]

Dorman 61138 fits!

[college man]

glad you worked it out.

[luder]

Hi again,

even though I used a new worm drive clamp instead of the old original as in the video, apparently the lower hose is not fitted snug enough or something on the new rad, and dripping under pressure from where the hose meets the rad, even though the clamp seems very tight. I don’t want to overtighten, as the brass fitting will bend on the radiator (oops, already did this on the upper one, but it seems fine with the dent and is not leaking).

What should I do? Another clamp perhaps next to that one?? Anything else? I don’t want to waste the new coolant (a second time), and there’s so little space in the engine bay for this to be fun.

Thanks!

[spelunkerd]

I would replace that hose. As they age they become less flexible and it sounds like the new rad is not identical to the old, so the hose isn’t fitting exactly. A little silicone spray will help it to slide on without damaging anything.

[luder]

Thanks,

Well the hoses seemed to be snug when I was attaching them on the radiator fittings. It took quite a bit of force to get them on, and I just used water so they slide easier.

Thanks.

[Author]

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