radiator drain plug replacement

[steveInMaryland]

This is an L35. Here is the OEM part number:34070-16070.

Using the machine the other day I was standing next to it and noticed all the coolant dumping onto the ground. Not only had the drain come out it actually took the threaded nipple with it.

A new radiator assembly is nearly $600 U.S.

So my question is has anyone ever used an expandable plug to fix this problem and if so what size and even better, where did you get it from.

I can't find the original plug and nipple anywhere on the ground but it is gone. I would like to have the plug on hand when I tear it apart so I can put it all back together at the same time.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[steveInMaryland]

I forgot to mention there is about a full half in of the nipple still attached to the radiator tank. At least it didn't break off taking a half dollar sized piece on the flat of the radiator with it. Still, down until I can keep it cool.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Is there still a spout (tee) with a hose on it? Or did it break off at the radiator?

If it broke off, your options are rather limited, an expansion plug might and might not hold, and even if it does initially hold there is a high probability that temp and pressure changes will make any expansion plug fail to hold.

If the tee and hose are still there, I'm not really sure, but it looks like the plug and the radiator does not have threads in it, it looks like the drain might be the kind that snaps in.

 

[steveInMaryland]

It broke exactly where the tee would have ended. That leaves me about a half an inch of plastic pipe still sticking out of the radiator.

Not that I won't get beat up for this thought but before I thought of the expandable plug I thought I might scratch up the inside of the little piece of pipe still sticking out and fill it with gorilla glue. I know. I will take the hits for that thinking.

Semper Fi

 

[D2Cat]

I'd rough up the surface some and use J-B Weld before Gorilla glue. Then put a Murphy switch at the temp. sending unit so you'll have a warning if anything fails.