Stripped coolant drain plug

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.

 

Block or radiator? Hex plug sound like you mean block plug.

 

Yes I was thinking you meant radiator drain plug.

 

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

 

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.

 

There is a thread here on replacing the block plugs with drain valves (makes life much easier). I bought a couple of these (not yet installed):
(https://www.ebay.com/itm/EZ-Engine-Oil-Drain-Valve-EZ-106-14mm-1-5-L-Shaped-Hose-End-L-001-COMBO-PACK/321727930758?hash=item4ae87aa186:g:uIIAAOSw-05ZmJq~)
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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.




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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

 

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

 

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?

 

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.

 

Still not easy to get it in there without the engine out

 

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.

 

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.
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