Honda Car Forum

Noticed my radiator drain plug was leaking, so I tightened it a bit
since it seemed loose. Continued to leak, so I tightened a little
more, and the wing nut part of drain plug broke off. Now I have the
drain plug broken off and still leaking. Any suggestions of how to
get the drain plug out??? I was going to attempt to drill it hoping
the plug would break into pieces so I could get it out. I hate to
have to replace the radiator due to this drain plug.

eusbocr <bcreech@yahoo.com> wrote in news:cedf30ab-4770-4df2-9c47-
fed6088d8baa@b18g2000vbl.googlegroups.com:

> Noticed my radiator drain plug was leaking, so I tightened it a bit
> since it seemed loose. Continued to leak, so I tightened a little
> more, and the wing nut part of drain plug broke off. Now I have the
> drain plug broken off and still leaking. Any suggestions of how to
> get the drain plug out??? I was going to attempt to drill it hoping
> the plug would break into pieces so I could get it out. I hate to
> have to replace the radiator due to this drain plug.



Probably the best thing to do is to get a giant flat-blade screwdriver (at
least a foot long). Heat the blade up really hot with a torch, and let it
melt itself into the head of the drain plug. At this point you can unscrew
it from the rad.

I'm assuming you're going to pull the rad from the car, since there's
probably no way you could get a drill in there to start with.

If you want to try removing the plug with the rad in place, cut the end off
the big screwdriver and weld/epoxy a nut onto the end of it so you can use
a socket and ratchet. Then melt the hole in the plug.

The plug itself is readily available for cheap at your dealer, or at any
shop that sells rads.

--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/