Radiator drain plug

[the.sasquatch]

Hi all, just a quick question, the Freda was leaking coolant and i've traced it to the drain plug on the radiator. It looks like there is some sort of plastic washer on it that has failed, can I replace this with a normal o-ring or would i be better to try and find a similar washer?

Thanks

Andy

[mikeWalsall]

'O' rings are not much good for flat to flat exterior sealing as the they squash and split ..

Much better to use a proper washer .. or easily sourced fiber ones available from most car or plumbers shops ..

[the.sasquatch]

Thanks for that, i'll go see if i can get one that fits.

[mikeWalsall]

Be careful of not draining the coolant when removing the drain plug .. a quick thumb in the hole while some one else fits the washer and quicker still in replacing the plug .. or you will lose the coolant and have to do a full coolant bleed ..

Maybe try to slacken the plug by several turns .. then smear some gasket goo / silicone around the exposed thread and tighten it up will seal the plug / threads ..

Or some gasket goo / Boss white wiped onto some string or plumbers hemp then wrapped around the partially exposed thread .. tightened up may be enough to form a water tight seal ..

[the.sasquatch]

Be careful of not draining the coolant when removing the drain plug .. a quick thumb in the hole while some one else fits the washer and quicker still in replacing the plug .. or you will lose the coolant and have to do a full coolant bleed ..

Maybe try to slacken the plug by several turns .. then smear some gasket goo / silicone around the exposed thread and tighten it up will seal the plug / threads ..

Or some gasket goo / Boss white wiped onto some string or plumbers hemp then wrapped around the partially exposed thread .. tightened up may be enough to form a water tight seal ..

Unfortunately the coolant is long gone when investigating i turned the plug a tiny bit and it started spewing out. I tried to tighten it up but it wouldn't stop, so i had to grab a bucket and let it drain. I have watched the how to video a couple of times and will watch it again before I bleed it at the weekend. Got a water temp gauge that I am going to fit while I am at it.