Broke the Radiator Drain Nut Off...

[bryan0]

Stupid me...
I got carried away while tightening the plastic nut that you loosen to drain the coolant from the radiator. The stem of the bolt is still in there and it's obviously tight enough, so there's no leaks. I'm not in a rush to get it fixed, but I want to get the stuff so I can do it when I have the time.
Has anyone been through this before? I didn't look too much, but it doesn't look like it'll be too too bad. Does that plastic bolt come all the way out if you keep turning it? I could get a left-hand-thread screw and try taking it out like that if the whole thing just comes out.
Any help would be great.
Thanks

 

[the98stang]

Stupid me...
I got carried away while tightening the plastic nut that you loosen to drain the coolant from the radiator. The stem of the bolt is still in there and it's obviously tight enough, so there's no leaks. I'm not in a rush to get it fixed, but I want to get the stuff so I can do it when I have the time.
Has anyone been through this before? I didn't look too much, but it doesn't look like it'll be too too bad. Does that plastic bolt come all the way out if you keep turning it? I could get a left-hand-thread screw and try taking it out like that if the whole thing just comes out.
Any help would be great.
Thanks

I did the same thing. Left that **** right in there .

Just use the radiator hose to drain the coolant if you ever need to drain again.

 

[SilverBullet00]

When I broke mine off I realized there was a hex hole through the plastic nut. So when the nut broke off there was still a little bit of the hole left where I could use an hex key to remove/install the drain plug. Check it out, yours may be the same... That was on a 2000 GT

 

[40th GT]

I did the same **** too. I didn't realize the plastic was that weak and I tightened it too much. I just used a wide flathead screwdriver to turn it.

 

[96GTstang46]

You mean to tell me that people DONT brake this off???

Yea i just take the raditor hose off.. its not like you have to do it offen (hopfully) otherwise, i think that screwdriver trick might work.. im going to try it next time.. lol thanks 40th GT

 

[nyuk98gt]

A new one costs under $10 (at the Ford parts counter). Remove the remaining piece (the far end is split and has barbs on it but it can be pulled out) bye loosening it until you can grab the remaining part with needlenose pliers. Basically, the drain c*ck (yes, that's what it is called) is loosened completely first and then, if you want to remove it, you compress the shaft to let the barbs pass through the opening. The reason the barbs are on there is so that the drain stays in place but allows coolant to come out.

HTH,

Chris

 

[Blinkstang]

When I broke mine off I realized there was a hex hole through the plastic nut. So when the nut broke off there was still a little bit of the hole left where I could use an hex key to remove/install the drain plug. Check it out, yours may be the same... That was on a 2000 GT

I did the same thing when I broke mine, haha. Picked up a new one at Murray's for like $4.

 

[HoustonGT]

Wow, i did the same damn thing. OH well, i just forgot about it since i don't plan to drain my radiator every month.

 

[DTNODYA]

I have to join the "I thought I was the only one who did that" club ...

I bought got a new one from autozone .. it was cheap

 

[bryan0]

Wow, I'm glad to see I'm not the only one!

Thanks for your help guys, it doesn't look like it'll be too bad after all.