Anti freeze change drain plug problem

[Frank S. fr Ohio]

I was changing the anti freeze on my 03 for the first time and have a problem with the plastic drain plug. I unscured the plug (turned it counter clockwise) and drained the anti freeze. Tightened the plug back up and filled the radiator with water to flush it out. Again opened the drain plug and drained the water. When I tried to tighted the drain plug it wont screw in. It just keeps turning. It feels like it is trying to catch but slips off.



Can this be fixed or am I looking at replacing the radiator. I can use all the help and advice you can give. At my age (73) thing get a little tough. I like to do things myself if I can. I thought changing the anti freeze wouldn't or shouldn't be that hard.



Frank (Medway Ohio)

 

[MMeier]

Frank, go to your local auto parts store and buy a replacement piece. Sometimes you can get by with just the o ring, but I just replace the whole thing everytime, only like $4.

 

[sag2]

Can't say if your's is like this, but some thread out and spin free without coming out any further once they clear the threads. Try pushing in as you turn it and see if the threads will catch. They are generally very hard to strip the threads on.

 

[rbattelle]

You're just up the road from me, Frank. If you need another pair of eyes to look at it, PM me.

Ryan (Centerville, OH)

 

[Frank S. fr Ohio]

M Meir



Thanks for the response. I tried to purchase a replacement drain petcock at the local parts stores and they tell me it is a dealer part.

I will try on monday at the dealer.



Can you explain how to remove the drain petcock. I dont want to damage anything. Has anyone else had this problem and had to remove the drain petcock. If so I certainly would appreciate any information on how it is done. Thanks

 

[rbattelle]

Can you explain how to remove the drain petcock. I dont want to damage anything. Has anyone else had this problem and had to remove the drain petcock. If so I certainly would appreciate any information on how it is done. Thanks

I checked the service manual - no information there. Only someone who's done it will know.



Ryan

 

[JJoiner]

I had the same thing happen to me when I drained my antifreeze. I could sit there and turn the plug and it wounldn't grab the threads. After messing with it for a while it seemed to pop back in and started grabbing threads again. You might go out and try pushing the knob back in, it should "pop" then you will feel it grab. Just a thought.

 

[rbattelle]

Frank, you've chosen not to enable PMs. You've got to turn it on in the control panel / edit options screen. No one can send you a PM until you do.

Ryan

 

[MMeier]

M Meir



Thanks for the response. I tried to purchase a replacement drain petcock at the local parts stores and they tell me it is a dealer part.

I will try on monday at the dealer.



Can you explain how to remove the drain petcock. I dont want to damage anything. Has anyone else had this problem and had to remove the drain petcock. If so I certainly would appreciate any information on how it is done. Thanks

Just turns in its little hole, sounds like the Oring has swelled up or broken. If I get a chance in the AM, I'll go to my Checker store here and see if I can get a part number from there help section, might as well pick myself one up, have to do a radiator service pretty soon if I keep this thing!