Plastic Radiator Drain Plugs
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Plastic Radiator Drain Plugs
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.
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.
#2
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
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.
That pretty much distroys the drain plug, but will let you get it out.
#4
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
ohwell.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally posted by Wankel7
Yeah, those drain plugs suck bad man. I believe people always over torque those things. Don't forget the block drain.
James
Yeah, those drain plugs suck bad man. I believe people always over torque those things. Don't forget the block drain.
James
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.
#7
REINCARNATED
iTrader: (4)
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
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
Trending Topics
#8
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
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
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
#9
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
Originally posted by ThePartsTrader
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.
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.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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???
I was under the impression that plastic radiator parts were used to avoid some variety of electrolysis / corrosion etc???
#11
Do a barrel roll!
iTrader: (4)
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 ....
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
streetlegal?
New Member RX-7 Technical
13
03-17-22 02:46 PM