Did not know just what to call this or I would
have searched more. I have a stuck radiator
air blled screw. This is the platic one that is
on the radiator to let the air out. It was
stripped a little when I got the car but I
finished it off tonight. Has anybody found
a easier methed than using a cut off tool to
cut groves in the plastic for a big flathead
screwdriver? Got a new one coming from
Mazdatrix but need to get the old one out
as carefully as possible.
Thanks in advance

 

I used a flat-head screwdriver and put a lot of force on it to get it out after I'd stripped mine.


And it's called a 'drain ****' (N326-15-203) for anyone else needing a new one. (don't look at me - I didn't name it. )

 

I used a chisel to get in there. the end is sharp and will lock right on to the plastic. I was in the US on a road trip this summer and i was in Taos New Mexico and i was adding some coolant at night and mine broke where the o ring is. i used a hose clamp to hold it in for 2 days strait of driving until i got to denver. I even drove up pikes peak b/c it was on the way. anyways hope you get yours out.

 

Thanks guys for your help. I just bought a small
cutoff wheel and a small chisel. Its party time

 

FWIW, I never had to crack that screw open, the coolant system seemed to bleed itself just fine through the 4 or 5 coolant changes I performed during the time the stock rad was on the car...Run her, then top her off at the t-stat housing cap...

 

Guys, it's plastic. You don't need cut-off wheels, chisels or a lot of force. All you need is a flat-head screwdriver with its tip heated up with a lighter and gentle force to make a nice new slot you can use this time and in the future.

 

Just for reference, the replacement part number...

part number- N326-15-203
Description - ****, drain
D-code - 15 207
Comes in quanities of 2



-Ted

 

The other one being for the radiator drain.

 

I used an ez-out drill bit from sears.
Worked great.
-Cliff

 

funny...mine already fits a big flathead.

 

With a large srewdriver it still wont turn the
way it is. The reason for the cutoff wheel is
to cut slots in the plastic for a large srewdriver
or a chisle just to get it to turn

 

I kinda stripped it with a big phillips head, then I figured out that a rather pointed (not sure on the size), small phillips fit way down in there and gripped fine. If I don't undo that drain to let air out, mine coolant buzzer will never shut up.