What is Missing from my Radiator?

OK I did a search and came up blank. I am finishing my ghetto repower and I am down to installing the radiator. But something is either missing or broken at the drain plug. This is on a 97. The plastic drain plug looks OK but there is no way to close it. I went through my parts twice and know I didn't overlook anything.

Plus I remember it was squirting fluid out the drain when it blew the head gasket and overheated on the highway. So all I have is a plasitc drain that is straight through with no open or close. Obviously I either lost or broke something (other than the whole engine that is) out on the highway or I am just being an idiot and not seeing something obvious.

So what gives?

If you don't see the hex near the base then you did loose the outer "sleeve". Just replace the pos plastic or just plug it. I can never really reach mine to drain so I always pull the lower hose.

TC has this now. Maybe something worth look into.

http://www.teamgrandwagoneer.com/parts/Detailed/3930.html

X2 - I'd plug it. Drain via lower hose and/or block drain plug. The petcock is a true POS, especially the plastic ones, crappy design, inferior part (IMHO)

ParadiseXJ said:

X2 - I'd plug it. Drain via lower hose and/or block drain plug. The petcock is a true POS, especially the plastic ones, crappy design, inferior part (IMHO)

Click to expand...

x13 Trillion, use the lower hose, those plastic petcocks are just waiting to break.

I found the missing parts inside the radiator when I flushed it. An o-ring and the plastic base came out. And I have to say that it is about as idiotic a design as I have ever seen. It now has a brass plug from Home Depot.

hm I always use my petcock. I use a long screwdriver to reach it and I have permanently installed a funnel to catch the coolant and aim it at the bucket. You can just see the tip sticking down below my bumper:



It's a lot neater than using the lower hose. I don't really want to kill the neighbor's dog with my used Ecto-Cooler.

The stock petc*ck dribbles like an old man when it drains. And sometimes won't reseal, also like an old man. (Please don't ask me how I know. LOL) And sometimes breaks off. (No, mine hasn't broken off yet.)

winterbeater said:

The stock petc*ck dribbles like an old man when it drains. And sometimes won't reseal, also like an old man. (Please don't ask me how I know. LOL) And sometimes breaks off. (No, mine hasn't broken off yet.)

Click to expand...

It doesn't dribble if you remove the radiator cap while it's draining so air can replace the liquid. At least not in my experience.

winterbeater said:

...And sometimes breaks off. (No, mine hasn't broken off yet.)

Click to expand...

...that reminds me.

Note to self: Make doctor appointment!!!:shocked:

winterbeater said:

The stock petc*ck dribbles like an old man when it drains. And sometimes won't reseal, also like an old man. (Please don't ask me how I know. LOL) And sometimes breaks off. (No, mine hasn't broken off yet.)

Click to expand...

ParadiseXJ said:

...that reminds me.

Note to self: Make doctor appointment!!!:shocked:

Click to expand...

Two words: Saw Palmetto