Radiator drain plug

[ScooterH]

Lately I noticed a lose of antifreeze. Noticed drain plug dripping. I removed plug to put on new O-ring. That's when I saw a small piece of black plastic, about 3/16" long. Drain plug isn't broken. It's impossible to see inside female opening. Is the female opening a replaceable part?

 

[grtescpa]

Originally posted by ScooterH

Lately I noticed a lose of antifreeze. Noticed drain plug dripping. I removed plug to put on new O-ring. That's when I saw a small piece of black plastic, about 3/16" long. Drain plug isn't broken. It's impossible to see inside female opening. Is the female opening a replaceable part?

The 96 has the same plug as the 97. It will leak if you try to use it after many miles. Just buy a new one at the Dealership. My Dealer told me to just remove the bottom hose when you replace the antifreeze. They had to many plastic plugs leak on them. Use a big drain pan and wear your boots.

 

[ScooterH]

Well I bought a new drain plug. When I put the plug in it never stops turning. It doesn't leak, and I can't pull the plug out by hand, but the plug acts like a stripped bolt.

If this plug hole is stripped the radiator will have to be pulled and who knows what will have to be done to fix it.

I think I'd better go to a chevy or ford sight and read about their problems. Maybe I'll feel a little better. Right now I'm really fed up with this dodge!! How a working man can afford to fix all the bad engineering in these trucks is beyond me. Tomorrow is another day, maybe I'll go to Amish country and get some good cheeze to have with this WHINE.

 

[grtescpa]

Originally posted by ScooterH

Well I bought a new drain plug. When I put the plug in it never stops turning. It doesn't leak, and I can't pull the plug out by hand, but the plug acts like a stripped bolt.

If this plug hole is stripped the radiator will have to be pulled and who knows what will have to be done to fix it.

I think I'd better go to a chevy or ford sight and read about their problems. Maybe I'll feel a little better. Right now I'm really fed up with this dodge!! How a working man can afford to fix all the bad engineering in these trucks is beyond me. Tomorrow is another day, maybe I'll go to Amish country and get some good cheeze to have with this WHINE.

If its stripped that bad just epoxy it in and never use it to drain the fluid. Thats the most affordable answer I can give you. Be glad you own a Dodge. I had a Ford explorer befor I Bought my Dodge. Could not keep oil or antfreeze in the piece of junk. I ended up trading it in and loosing $10,000 .

 

[DieselB59]

I too needed to replace my petcock the last time I did the coolant drain. The O ring developed a small groove and that's all it needed to leak out. The new one is in and fine. I lubed it up with a bit of chassis grease before inserting it.

 

[sewman]

Hey Scooter do you know when the next pull is at dragway 42??

TIA<Bob

 

[ScooterH]

sewman

sorry, I can't help you on the pull at 42