Radiator Drain Plug problems

[bowsercake]

I've been leaking coolant slowly after I've been parked for the past two weeks or so. I decided to check it out today because it only starts leaking maybe an hour or two after I turn off the car. Anyways, i found out that my radiator drain plug was not in all the way on, I tried to push it back in but then the end broke off and it started to leak even more. So, the plastic screw part is still inside the radiator, the part that broke off was from the seal back. I put some silicon on a quarter it its stopped leaking but I can't drive it like that.

Anyone have advice on how to I get the broken screw part of the radiator drain plug out of the radiator? :aigo:

by the way, a plastic plug wasn't a great idea. hopefully toyota has one in stock though...

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

countersink with a very accurate drill...

 

[bowsercake]

I searched around google about countersinking but I'm still not exactly sure what it is...

Anyways, I'm not sure how stuck in there the plastic part is, but I thought about buying a small screw that is reverse-threaded (so that turning it left will tighten it). That way I could screw into the plastic tip of the drain plug and then be able to twist it out without the screw coming off.

However, I'm afraid that I might push the tip of the plug into the radiator, how bad would it be if this happened?

 

[bigal0043]

bad if its a bigger peice that gets stuck in there and can't flush it out... what do you mean it broke off? was it threading in and broke off? or did you break a peice of the plastic inside the radiator?

If you can get to it i would say maybe try using a knife or something to break it apart and make sure to flush out the radiator

 

[bowsercake]

Well, its the screw part of the drain plug, its actually still in the threading. I'll try to get it out after work today. Hopefully I don't push it into the radiator. I'll update later.

 

[Steve_N]

I had this happen to me. You can get a metal dran plug from Napa or PepGirls etc. I used one on a replacment Rad I got from PepGirls years ago. As for getting it out its threaded so I doubt you would push it into the rad. Try a soldern iron. Burn a slot in the center of the broken plug so you can stick a flat head screw driver in & back it out. Then replace with a metal Drain Plug.

HTH

 

[bigal0043]

what are those drill bits that unscrew... the word isnt coming to me... it shouldnt take much to get it out

 

[Finnon]

in the uk there called eazi outs. dont know what there called in the us though. im sure even a normal drill might get it out though. start in the centre and gradually go up a few sizes and it should spin free

 

[bigal0043]

yea thats it.. i was thinking tap out but i knew that wasnt it... easy out any auto store should have one

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

If the thing is plastic just get a small drill bit, drill a hole in the broken plug off center and use a small screwdriver to rotate it out.
If you have that stuff available of course.

 

[Steve_N]

2 problems in using a drill (easy out). 1st there isn't room to get to it while the rad is on the car. 2nd the piece is plastic & may be britle so I can't see a dril bit or easy out being able to bite into it. Thats why I suggested what I did in the above post.