Stripped coolant drain plug | FerrariChat

Stripped coolant drain plug

Discussion in '348/355' started by drbob101, May 18, 2020.

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  1. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 26, 2012
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    Tinton Falls, NJ
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    Bob Ferraris
    I googled this but couldn’t find anything.

    The hex in one of my drain plugs is stripped.

    Tips on removing it?

    I know I saw some hacks on here of replacing the plugs with something more user friendly as well. Maybe Taz?

    Thank you
     
  2. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 8, 2011
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    Elliott Caras
    You can use a blow torch to heat up a flat head screw driver and insert the hot tip into the head to melt into it the tip of the screwdriver let it cool and you should be able to unscrew it.
     
  3. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Thank you. Wondering if I have enough room up there to get a short handled screwdriver into it
     
  4. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    Block or radiator? Hex plug sound like you mean block plug.
     
  5. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Sorry. Block.

    Now the post about melting a screw driver into it makes more sense. I was scratching my head on that one.
     
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  6. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie
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    Yes I was thinking you meant radiator drain plug.
     
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  7. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,741
    North Wiltshire, UK
    exactly which plug are you referring to?

    generally speaking here are a few ideas....


    Hex plug...you can try a slightly smaller Allen key and a flat head screwdriver alongside it.

    alternatively you can use a bigger flat head to go across the corners of the hex.

    If there is room and the hex head is proud enough you can hacksaw a slot across it and either use a f****ing big flat head screw driver or a piece of metal bar.

    sometimes a torx socket can be used!

    none of the options are pretty. Just be careful
     
  8. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Nov 26, 2012
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    One of the brass coolant plugs on the block. Space is really tight up there. I like the Torx idea. Just ordered a couple new plugs and I’ll try that when ready. Thanks
     
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  9. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
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    Mitchell Le
    Use the other side to drain the engine block for now. When your engine comes out of the car at service, that is when you go whole hog with drill, and bolt remover.
     
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  10. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Thanks Mitch. That’s what I did. Radiators and right side. Ordered plugs but maybe just leave it for now as you said.
     
  11. m.stojanovic

    m.stojanovic F1 Rookie
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  12. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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  13. Badabing!

    Badabing! Formula Junior

    Mar 30, 2014
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    NYC
    I’ve read about people welding nuts to frozen plugs (usually on a trans or diff) and then using a socket to break it loose.




    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  14. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
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    no Bob that was for the drain plugs in the block and the oil drain plugs sorry
    Maybe that is what your talking about, not sure though

    I should have read everything
    I will see if I have the link
    Found it
    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/355-major-with-some-upgrades.576995/#post-146009697
     
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  15. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3
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    I'd be tempted to leave it in there until the next major.
    I suppose you could drill it, and use a extractor to get it out. But if something went wrong you'd be screwed.

    If you think you can get it out, and it's not seized, Johnk was right, use a torx, triple square, or similar bit and Hammer it in there and cross your fingers. Used WD-40 and some heat.
    Weigh it the risk (cracked block) with the reward
     
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  16. emac

    emac Formula Junior
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    ernest
    I would be inclined to leave it alone until a major as others noted. Its not like you stripped the filler hole and have already drained the tranny fluid! I wonder if you could put some jB weld around the tool and let it set up overnight? That might give you just enough to get it loose. You back to work yet?
     
  17. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    I’m inclined to leave it alone. I changed the coolant draining the rads and the other side. I’m sure it’s fine coolant wise.

    I’m swapping out the ac pump and that buggered plug is right there. I’ll stick a torx in there and see if I feel any love but I think that will be the extent of my mucking around with it for now
     
  18. jjtjr

    jjtjr Formula Junior

    Aug 29, 2016
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    john truskowski
    I purchased a product from Stahlbus that is installed in place of the plugs that allows easier draining much like the one in post 11. It even comes with a hose connection to make draining less messy. :)
     
  19. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
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    Still not easy to get it in there without the engine out
     
  20. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    Of course the "purists" will frown on this but I don't bother with the engine drain plugs. Too much hassle. I drain the radiators. That get more than 1/2 the old stuff out. Then I refill and run the engine to mix it up. Drain the radiators again and refill. That leaves about 15% of the old stuff in. If do it a 3rd time you would end up with about 6% old stuff, but I don't take it that far.
     
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  21. Kokose7en

    Kokose7en Karting

    Dec 5, 2019
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    SF Bay Area
    #21 Kokose7en, May 20, 2020
    Last edited: May 20, 2020
    Get sockets like these. Need to find one that fits snug. It will take it right out as it will bite the head when you turn. They are called twist extractors, but could be called other things. The one pictured is made by Matco, but Snap-on makes it and many others.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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