Radiator drain cock - how tight

Just had a radiator replaced in a 97 accord - the first replacement
radiator leaked - Modine made in Mexico and now I discovered the
replacement is leaking around the drain cock or through the drain cock.
The plastic valve in the drain cock was fairly loose. Is finger tight
enough and is there anything you can do to keep these things from
leaking.

I think the mechanic - who was in a big hurry to get the job finished
just did not tighten the thing.

Any input would be appreciated.

thanks

 

common problem is over tightening - strips plastic plug threads so they
can't hold properly under pressure. more likely that's what's happened.

remove plug [keep finger over hole to prevent total coolant loss] and
examine threads. if damaged or stretched, buy a new plug and /gently/
screw back in. the rubber gasket makes the seal, not thread pressure.

 

It should be snug, but its not supposed to be super tight, the rubber o-ring
is what makes the seal. Check your local car parts store for a replacement
o-ring or just get a new plug, they're only a couple dollars.

 

O-ring is probably missing/old/damaged.

Some aftermarket rads do not come with a new drain plug, so you need to
reuse the old one. O-rings can be had at Home Depot. The plugs (with new O-
ring) are about $5 from the dealer.

Finger tight is fine. About as hard as you'd tighten a pickle jar lid.

 

I replied to the wrong message. Anyway went to the garage the put in
the new radiator and the guy just took a pair of pliers and twisted the
drain cock very tight. Leak stopped.

Am buying a replacement cock to carry with just in case. Now remember
having this problem with another honda whose radiator I had to replace
- put in a new o-ring and applied silicone grease to solve that leak.

Thanks all

 

If he had to make it "very tight", then something's wrong. The brute-force
method is masking a problem.