Radiator problem. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bitter Beard · 06-11-2003, 06:01 AM

I recently picked up a GDI Heatbuster from AutoZone this weekend when my old radiator sprung a leak. The old one was a tiny POS that the previous owner installed, so I wasn’t going to repair it.

Anyway, I seem to be having problems with the drain plug. I grabbed a plug that screws into the radiator and has an insert that can be screwed in to drain the radiator and out to keep it sealed. My problem is since I put in the radiator and this plug it has leaked from the get go, I have to now drain the whole works to replace it. The leaking is coming from around the plug at the bottom where it meets the radiator; it has a rubber grommet attached to the hole. There was a plastic deal that came with the radiator but I thought that was just to keep the shipping funk out.

Can I toss the leaking radiator drain and use this plastic one without fear of it melting? Should I Teflon tape the plastic cap to make sure no leaking occurs? Doing a search of the forums somebody posted they were using this stock drain and was just curious if I need to buy another one.

Thanks in advance,
BB

**old Rusty C10** · 06-11-2003, 10:45 AM

call the store and tell them they should replace the whole thng for ya

pkbinplano · 06-11-2003, 06:22 PM

Or just use a regular brass plug and pull your bottom hose to drain. You feel like jerking the radiator out again ? Yes teflon is fine. Or get a real drain plug.

Bitter Beard · 06-11-2003, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the responses.

I tried the plastic plug and it still leaked with no pressure at all, so called the store and making them cough up a new one.

Just sucks I gotta yank it again, but happens.

Mike76251 · 06-12-2003, 09:29 AM

Plastic drain plug??????
Am I reading this right?

I guess I have been doing my own work too long.

Slonaker · 06-12-2003, 10:41 AM

I have an Autozone radiator with the plastic plug. It has been in the truck nearly 2 years, and I have had no problems with it. If it is leaking, and a brass plug did too, I would guess that the radiator threads are bad.

My Japanese cars have all had plastic plugs, and many cars (regardless of origin) have plastic tanks on the radiators. Just because it is plastic does not mean that it can't withstand hot water.

Slonaker

Bitter Beard · 06-12-2003, 08:20 PM

I had to go to Checker and get the radiator because Autozone didn’t have one in my area, Checker didn’t have the drain plug, brass, but the radiator came with a plastic plug so I just went ahead and used it. At the time I was buying the radiator I had to be to work in two hours, so it was go time to get the project finished.

I’ve not seen a leak yet so it must have been the threads in the first radiator.

06-11-2003, 06:01 AM	#1
Bitter Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: AZ Posts: 27	Radiator problem. I recently picked up a GDI Heatbuster from AutoZone this weekend when my old radiator sprung a leak. The old one was a tiny POS that the previous owner installed, so I wasn’t going to repair it. Anyway, I seem to be having problems with the drain plug. I grabbed a plug that screws into the radiator and has an insert that can be screwed in to drain the radiator and out to keep it sealed. My problem is since I put in the radiator and this plug it has leaked from the get go, I have to now drain the whole works to replace it. The leaking is coming from around the plug at the bottom where it meets the radiator; it has a rubber grommet attached to the hole. There was a plastic deal that came with the radiator but I thought that was just to keep the shipping funk out. Can I toss the leaking radiator drain and use this plastic one without fear of it melting? Should I Teflon tape the plastic cap to make sure no leaking occurs? Doing a search of the forums somebody posted they were using this stock drain and was just curious if I need to buy another one. Thanks in advance, BB

06-11-2003, 10:45 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	call the store and tell them they should replace the whole thng for ya __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

06-11-2003, 06:22 PM	#3
pkbinplano pkbinplano Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 370	Or just use a regular brass plug and pull your bottom hose to drain. You feel like jerking the radiator out again ? Yes teflon is fine. Or get a real drain plug. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...7496&members=1 84 chevy silverado aka The Bananna Boat

06-12-2003, 10:41 AM	#6
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	I have an Autozone radiator with the plastic plug. It has been in the truck nearly 2 years, and I have had no problems with it. If it is leaking, and a brass plug did too, I would guess that the radiator threads are bad. My Japanese cars have all had plastic plugs, and many cars (regardless of origin) have plastic tanks on the radiators. Just because it is plastic does not mean that it can't withstand hot water. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

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06-11-2003, 08:46 PM	#4
Bitter Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: AZ Posts: 27	Thanks for the responses. I tried the plastic plug and it still leaked with no pressure at all, so called the store and making them cough up a new one. Just sucks I gotta yank it again, but happens.

06-12-2003, 09:29 AM	#5
Mike76251 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,499	Plastic drain plug?????? Am I reading this right? I guess I have been doing my own work too long.

06-12-2003, 08:20 PM	#7
Bitter Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: AZ Posts: 27	I had to go to Checker and get the radiator because Autozone didn’t have one in my area, Checker didn’t have the drain plug, brass, but the radiator came with a plastic plug so I just went ahead and used it. At the time I was buying the radiator I had to be to work in two hours, so it was go time to get the project finished. I’ve not seen a leak yet so it must have been the threads in the first radiator.



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