I started the engine removal from my '89 tonight and instead of getting most of the job done I spent half my time trying to drain the radiator.

Almost every other FC I have owned have had the plastic radiator screws stripped out so when I first got under the car I was releived to see that the plastic screw on the bottom of the radiator was perfect. I got my largest blount phillips screwdriver on it and proceded to destroy it just like every other one I have seen. This one was different, every attempt at getting something in it to turn it has failed. It looks like I will just have to drill it out to finish draining the coolant and worry with it when I have the radiator out of the car.

Any tips or tricks to getting these things out.

 

if it is really messed up, heat the end of a flat blade screwdriver up with a torch and shove it into the end of the drain plug. It'll melt into the plug, and once it cools it should hold enough of the plug to un-screw it.

That pretty much distroys the drain plug, but will let you get it out.

 

Yeah, those drain plugs suck bad man. I believe people always over torque those things. Don't forget the block drain.

James

 

LMAO, I feel like a 'tard now, I just assumed that the plug wasn't supposed to come out, so I did it the hard way. I was cussing like mad at the idiots who made a radiator w/o a drain plug!

ohwell.

 

Yea I got the block drain plug but with out draining the radiator it will still make a big mess when I pull the lower radiator hose off.

With the high level of engineering Mazda has shown in their past it amazes me that they would do things as stupid as a plastic capped radiator. I don't think they would of sold one less RX-7 if the original sticker price was $20.00 more to make up for an all metal radiator. That shows a "only make it last past the warranty period" mentality.

I will get off my soapbox now.

 

I have a good one of those plugs on a radiator that has a hole in it if you want it.

 

when my coolant level sensor went bad, i did not feel like spending the money on a new sensor (it broke apart in two when i was removing it) regaurdless i am religious to changing/checking my fluid levels

Anyway i went to discount(auto store) and purchased a (HELP) plug, it's the same thread size and acctually has a small handle for your fingers to turn it, and it's made of nylon which is better material... when i flushed my radiator i purchased 2 more to put in place of the crappy stock plastic plugs.. yes i had the same problem you did.. and i'm sure so many others have too..

-Markus

 

I've removed the drain at the bottom of the radiator and the air bleed screw at the top MANY times with no problem. The only trick was using the right sized screwdriver - it has to be a big damn Phillips head.

If it's stripped/stuck, a screw extractor or EZ Out should take care of business easy.

Really, I rarely use the drain plugs any more - just use the block drain, then disconnect the lower radiator hose. Messy, but it works.

Dale

 

It actually was done for weight savings. The original 747 had a all metal rad, but they needed to shave a couple of lbs getting the weight down, so anywhere they could they cut weight. The rad was just one more step.

 

those 747's are heavy buggers eh Mark...

I was under the impression that plastic radiator parts were used to avoid some variety of electrolysis / corrosion etc???

 

Ive taken my bleed and drain plugs out many times without a problem. I did strip one, and it sucked trying to get it out. I did what Icemark was describing and heated the end of my screwdriver up with my propane torch, and then stuck it into the screw. I have since stockpiled the plugs, just in case I break one again I have like 9 ....