Radiator drain cock

1990 Honda Accord radiator drain cock broke off, wing portion gone,
threaded portion still in the radiator. Any thoughts on best way to
remove? drill and easy out?

thanks

Frank

 

My guess on a cooled system: Center punch to keep the drill from
wandering and damaging the radiator threads. Pilot drill the drain
cock (1/8" drill). Then a suitable sized extractor such as:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00966199000P

Pick up a new one at the dealer or maybe parts stores if they stock
one for your car (there are a few different ones at Pep Boys, so this
happens).

 

Guess you don't want to pull the rad out of the car?

 

you got that right. I put it in there, be pleased if I can get this
done without taking it out.

Radiator barn sending a new drain cock despite the fact this is 3
years out of warranty. A plug for them. Easy out seems to be the
best choice.

Frank

 

I wouldn't do that. You're almost certainly going to expand and possibly
crack the metal tube the drain cock goes into.

Is ANY of the plastic showing at all, or is it snapped off right flush with
the metal tube?

If it were me, I'd...
1) bend a cheap screwdriver with a torch so the tip is at 90 deg from the
shaft;
2) heat up the tip hot enough to melt plastic;
3) melt a new slot into the remnants of the drain cock;
4) turn 90 deg, then melt another slot, so as to form a sort of Phillips
head. If that's not possible, bend a second screwdriver so the head sits
differently from the first;
5) with cooled screwdriver, turn drain cock 90 deg at a time until you can
grab the end with pliers and turn it the rest of the way.

This is assuming you've got room to do all this, of course. Removal of
splash shields is a given...

 

Tegger's got a good point about the strength of the drain plug hole.
Don't use my guess then. I wished I kept a couple of old radiators to
try things on.

 

I did a" pilot" that is I tested the easy out on a piece of similar
plastic. What I found is that in the plastic,the easy out does not
even have to be set with a hammer. It grips by pushing it in finger
pressure. Sets and grips much easier than with a steel screw or stud.
I have to believe it will turn out before expanding. And centering
the pilot hole much easier than in steel.

Additionally, this is a replacement radiator. Metal rather than
composite. I believe there is a reinforcing boss on the end the tube,
attached to the lower tank. Should be fairly difficult to break.

Thing is, I'm not going to be doing it. I have to walk my son through
it. I can't remember if there is clearance to get the drill bit and
driver in there to drill the pilot hole required for the easy out.
He'll have to take off the splash shield and determine what he can get
in there.

Thanks for the idea. Maybe plan B. I tried to scratch a slot with an
exacto knife in a test piece of plastic. Fairly difficult, but the
heat may work.

 

I've done the heat trick before and it worked well for me.



That's my thinking. It's awfully tight in there and I doubt you'll be able
to get a direct shot with a drill bit.

 

By the way, don't use too big of a flat-blade screwdriver. You don't want
the plastic melting where it meets its receiving tube (whether metal or
plastic).