Leaking radiator drain plug

[cjoldvet]

We returned from France 2 weeks ago having driven about 1,200 miles with no problems. The Bongo has since been parked, but is now slowly but steadily dripping coolant from the radiator drain plug. The plug is fixed tight, I cannot move it clockwise or anti-clockwise, though I have not tried very hard for fear of snapping it. Is this likely to need a new washer, or something else, and can I push harder, and is it anti-clockwise to undo?

Thanks

[Northern Bongolow]

what colour is it, white or black.?
doesnt really matter though it just helps me identify the maker of the rad.
they both have a small O ring fitted. try a pair of pliers to nip it up.clockwise to tighten .

[cjoldvet]

The plug is black. I have a box of various size O rings, would these liekly be suitable? Thanks again

[mikeWalsall]

The problem you need to keep in mind, if sufficient coolant leaks / escapes to allow the coolant tank to empty enough to allow air into the cooling system ... then you will need to do a coolant bleed ..

[cjoldvet]

OK, thank you, I have done a coolant darain and refill in the past. Good old Bongo Club folk!

[Darkstar]

is it leaking from the little protrusion from the side of the drain plug?

I think its for slowly draining into a bucket before removing plug completely, i had a drip from here even though the plug was tight, possibly a bit of debris in the seal, anyway i just found a short machine screw of suitable size (not too big that it distorts the plastic) and sealed it that way have done quite a few miles now and not leaked any more.

[Doone]

s this likely to need a new washer, or something else, and can I push harder, and is it anti-clockwise to undo?

Some have washers, some have O rings. They can perish. It is anti-clockwise to undo.
Like Ady said, sometimes a tiny turn is enough to stop the leak for now.

[cjoldvet]

Thank you all, the above tips were spot on, and out came the plug. BUT... with the aid of a young friend who has some (amateur) knowledge of cars, we removed the radiator header cap thus releasing air locks, only to find dampness along the TOP of the radiator. At this point the top of the tank appears to be just crimped onto the main core; this is the wet area. Does this imply that I need a new radiator? (The trouble with having been a vet is that I got used to just putting the edges together, inserting the necessary stitches and the problem would heal. Even dear old Bongos don’t’ seem to do that!)
PS when it comes to putting things together, can I put back the coolant mix I saved, or should I replace it? I last drained and added antifreezetwo years ago.

[Doone]

It would be handy if we could stitch our bongos back together. B-) The top tanks on the radiators are usually plastic and do seem to leak eventually. The radiator is generally replaced when that happens. We'd replace the coolant. Is it the 5 year/longlife coolant or the 2 years one?

[cjoldvet]

Thanks everyone, we have now proved our Bongo needs a new radiator, ho hum!